Skip links

Frank Dell'Apa

Header Right

Uncategorized

June 4, 2011 – U.S. 0:4 Spain (Att.: 64,421). Biggest U.S. loss, and their biggest crowd, in Foxborough

by

A wide gulf in talent and tactical acumen resulted in an embarrassing defeat for the U.S. national team against Spain. Santi Cazorla (28’, 41’) and Alvaro Negredo (32’) provided a 3-0 halftime lead and El Niño Torres added a 73rd-minute goal for the Spaniards, who had played once before in Foxborough, sustaining a 2-1 extra time loss to Italy in the World Cup quarterfinals at Foxboro Stadium (Att.: 53,400) July 9, 1994. [Read more…] about June 4, 2011 – U.S. 0:4 Spain (Att.: 64,421). Biggest U.S. loss, and their biggest crowd, in Foxborough

June 3, 1928 – Fall River Marksmen 0:0 Glasgow Rangers at Mark’s Stadium (Att.: 15,500)

by

The Scots were setting footballing standards with their precision short passing game in the 1920s. The Scotland national team had destroyed England, 5-1, in the British Home Championship at Wembley March 31, 1928. After the match, Alex James said “we could have had 10,” and the team was nicknamed “The Wizards of Wembley,” the performance so commanding it remains a symbol of the excellence of Scottish soccer. [Read more…] about June 3, 1928 – Fall River Marksmen 0:0 Glasgow Rangers at Mark’s Stadium (Att.: 15,500)

June 2, 1917 – Lynn Hibernians win Boston and District League title

by

The Boston and District League was the top amateur soccer league in the area from the early 1900s on. The earliest references I’ve found were in 1907.

Lynn Hibernians fell, 3-1, to eventual champions Fall River Rovers in the third round of the 1917 National Challenge Cup (U.S. Open Cup). [Read more…] about June 2, 1917 – Lynn Hibernians win Boston and District League title

June 1, 1991 – U.S. 1:1 Ireland at Foxboro Stadium (Att.: 51,273). First full international in Massachusetts

by

Ireland’s Tony Cascarino (57th minute) opened the scoring before Eric Wynalda slipped past Kevin Moran for a 68th-minute equalizer off a Chris Henderson assist as the U.S. Men’s National Team made its Massachusetts debut.

Organizers budgeted for a 30,000 crowd, but a week before the match, stadium manager Brian O’Donovan projected possible 35,000 attendance. The walk-up took officials by surprise, with about 12,000 purchasing tickets at the gate (thousands of tickets were printed on-site), lines stretching toward Rte. 1 throughout the first half. [Read more…] about June 1, 1991 – U.S. 1:1 Ireland at Foxboro Stadium (Att.: 51,273). First full international in Massachusetts

May 31, 1992 – Italy 0:0 Portugal, U.S. Cup at Yale Bowl (Att.: 38,833)

by

The Azzurri had their first look at the New England area, and would return two years later for World Cup second round and quarterfinal matches.

This game was played in a rainstorm and organizers had had to put things together quickly. I recall FIGC president Antonio Mattarese entering the press box and taking notice of water dripping onto the cold cuts table of the pre-game “spread.” Pretty certain questions were raised about planning for the ’94 World Cup. [Read more…] about May 31, 1992 – Italy 0:0 Portugal, U.S. Cup at Yale Bowl (Att.: 38,833)

May 30, 1931 – New York Yankees 4:3 Glasgow Celtic at Fenway Park (Att.: 8,000)

by

Billy Gonsalves scored three goals for the Yankees, who began the season as the Fall River Marksmen, in an upset win over Celtic FC. In fact, the Boston Globe advance story called the team the “Fall River Yankees.”

“Billy Gonsalves, who learned his soccer on the sandlots of East Cambridge and then was grabbed by the old Boston team, was the big works in the game. All he did was score three of the Yankees’ goals and manipulate the ball in such a manner that he completely mystified the famous Celtics at times.” [Read more…] about May 30, 1931 – New York Yankees 4:3 Glasgow Celtic at Fenway Park (Att.: 8,000)

May 29, 1925 – ‘The Boston Soccer Social Club will hold a special meeting tonight’

by

The Boston Globe May 29, 1925 editions noted:

“The Boston Soccer Social Club will hold a special meeting tonight at 8 o’clock in the Caledonian Building and all members are requested to be present.”

The building, at the corner of Appleton and Berkeley streets, became the Boston Tea Party rock club in the 1960s.

TODAY IN NEW ENGLAND SOCCER HISTORY

May 28, 2005 – Clint Dempsey scores first international goal

by

 

Clinton Drew Dempsey — named after the Man With No Name, Clint Eastwood  — was 22 years old and in his second season with the New England Revolution when he established himself among the starting candidates for the U.S. national team. Dempsey has gone on to captain the USMNT, totaling 56 goals, second to Landon Donovan (57) on the all-time list.

May 28, 2005 – U.S. 1:2 England at Soldier Field, Chicago

Dempsey began his professional career as a Revolution holding midfielder in 2004. In the second month of the ’04 season, Revolution coach Steve Nicol switched to a 3-5-2 alignment; two weeks later, with Taylor Twellman absent, Dempsey made his first start at forward, paired with Pat Noonan. [Read more…] about May 28, 2005 – Clint Dempsey scores first international goal

May 27, 1934 – Aldo (Buff) Donelli scores only goal for U.S. in World Cup opener

by

Billy Gonsalves pushed for Buff Donelli to be included in the U.S. national team, and Donelli scored every goal for the U.S. in a 4-2 victory over Mexico in a playoff match in Rome May 24, 1934. Three days later, Italy took a 3-0 halftime lead before Donelli’s 57th-minute conversion.

It seemed strange that FIFA would require two CONCACAF teams to travel to Italy to contest a play-in match, especially since a Trans-Atlantic voyage involved several weeks. If the U.S.-Mexico game had been considered part of the World Cup, Donelli would have tied with Czechoslovakia’s Oldrich Nejedly for the Golden Boot with five goals. [Read more…] about May 27, 1934 – Aldo (Buff) Donelli scores only goal for U.S. in World Cup opener

May 26, 2007 – Bolivia 1:1 Ireland at Gillette Stadium (Att.: 13,156)

by

The Republic of Ireland national team’s rise coincided with Boston’s bid to become a 1994 World Cup venue. Ireland support was strong for the state’s first full international as the Republic and U.S. played to a 1-1 draw at Foxboro Stadium (Att.: 51,273) June 1, 1991. Ireland returned for a 2-0 victory over Portugal in the ’92 U.S. Cup, one of the goals a Steve Staunton “Olimpico” over Vitor Baia. But that would be the team’s only victory in Foxborough. Ireland has a 1W-2L-3D all-time record at Foxboro/Gillette stadiums. [Read more…] about May 26, 2007 – Bolivia 1:1 Ireland at Gillette Stadium (Att.: 13,156)