Sean Thomas was considered among the Republic of Ireland’s top coaches, having guided Shamrock Rovers the 1964 League of Ireland title. Thomas had a reputation for finding talent, once bringing Liam Neeson (yes, the actor) in for Bohemians to play in a match against Shamrock Rovers. [Read more…] about May 15, 1967 – Sean Thomas introduced as Boston Shamrock Rovers coach
The two-game series between Harvard and McGill (the teams played to a 0-0 draw on May 15, 1874) is considered a seminal event in the evolution of football codes in the U.S.
The opening contest was played by “Boston Game” rules, with a round ball that was kicked, soccer-style, but could also be carried and passed. The second game used McGill’s oval ball, which could be carried, the rules resembling rugby.
https://www.mcgill.ca/channels/news/date-history-first-football-game-was-may-14-1874-106694
http://www.thecrimson.com/article/1968/3/13/the-history-of-harvard-sports-piduring/
TODAY IN NEW ENGLAND SOCCER HISTORY
The Revolution earned three free kicks, three different players converting all three in a 3-1 victory over D.C. United. Wolde Harris (15th minute) equalized, a minute after a Jaime Moreno goal, then Mauricio Ramos (65th) and Imad Baba (82nd) scored and Jeff Causey saved a Moreno penalty kick in the second half. The Revolution improved their unbeaten streak to five games, their longest streak in five years of existence, and were on the way to their first .500 season. Coach Fernando Clavijo inserted Mike Burns into a holding midfield role in the second half, and the tactic worked as Burns slowed Moreno. [Read more…] about May 13, 2000 – Free kick hat trick, Revolution defeat D.C. Utd.; new striker on way?
According to The Boston Globe, the National Challenge Cup (U.S. Open Cup) final had been set as a best-of-three series, the title going to the first team to win twice. The Centrals had taken a 5-2 home victory and the teams had played to a 1-1 tie in Pawtucket. But on May 11, 1935, the day before the match, the U.S. Football Association decreed total goals would decide the winner. [Read more…] about May 12, 1935 – St. Louis Central Breweries 1:3 (7:6) Pawtucket Rangers, U.S. Open Cup final at Newark School Stadium (Att. 2,000)
Taylor Twellman scored in the sixth and 39th minutes in his third Revolution start, during the “soft” opening of Gillette Stadium, which had ceded naming rights to internet venture CMGI (College Marketing Group Information). [Read more…] about May 11, 2002 – Taylor Twellman kick starts Gillette opening – 50 years and forever
Mike Masters played basketball and soccer at Williams College, teaming with future New England Revolution defender Dan Calichman (Toronto FC assistant coach) and goalkeeper Rob Blanck (Navy women’s team assistant to former Harvard assistant Carin Jennings Gabarra) on Mike Russo’s soccer team. Masters then went on to perform for the Albany Capitals and San Francisco Blackhawks, before moving to England on a free transfer in January of 1992. [Read more…] about May 10, 1992 – Mike Masters scores first goal by U.S. player at Wembley
Fore River’s Jack Kershaw, who had been expected to be a reserve, because of an ankle injury, scored eight minutes before halftime for Fore River. Marre and Dunn countered in the second half.
May 9, 1920 – St. Louis Ben Millers 2:1 Fore River SC at Federal League Baseball Park (Att.: 12,000)
Fore River hoped to capitalize on tactical savvy and technique, plus the fact the St. Louis teams “are used to playing only 60-minute games,” according to The Boston Globe. [Read more…] about May 9, 1920 – Fore River SC falls in U.S. Open Cup final
The Boston Globe listed attendance at 10,000, “the biggest crowd of people to ever watch a soccer game in the Boston area.” Several sources who were at the game as players or spectators are convinced the crowd was greater than 10,000. My primary source is Frank Mirisola, a South Boston businessman and former Boston SC player/long-time supervisor of referees for the Boston Public Schools league. Mirisola said he “saw the ticket receipts and it was 15,000 … it wasn’t quite full.” Everett Memorial Stadium held 18,000 on bleacher seats, according to Sal LoGrasso, a long-time Everett resident and former Boston SC and Boston Minutemen defender. [Read more…] about May 8, 1964 – Liverpool FC draws a (15,000) crowd in Boston
Juan Agudelo scored twice in six games with Chivas USA before being sent to the New England Revolution, where he totaled seven goals in 14 matches, in 2013. That has been Agudelo’s most productive MLS season – nine goals in 20 games. Agudelo, 24, is on pace for his first double-figure goal total this season, with six in 10 games.
Agudelo burst on the scene as an 18-year-old with the New York Red Bulls, but failed to become a regular starter. Agudelo totaled six goals in 33 games (13 starts) with the Red Bulls before being traded to Chivas USA in 2012. Agudelo’s career seemed to be on the rise with a transfer to Stoke City, but he was unable to secure a work permit and was loaned to Utrecht, where he scored three goals in 14 appearances in 2013-14.
The Revolution hoped Agudelo’s return would help them contend for the MLS Cup, a year after they lost to the LA Galaxy in the 2014 final.
Revolution coach Jay Heaps is hoping to capitalize on Agudelo’s combination of size, skill and strength, also using his playmaking ability, in a 4-4-2 alignment. Agudelo, born in Manizales, Colombia, has reemerged on the U.S. national team scene – he scored in his debut, a 1-0 win over South Africa in Johannesburg Nov. 17, 2010, and has totaled three goals in 22 appearances.
TODAY IN NEW ENGLAND SOCCER HISTORY
May 6, 1916 – Bethlehem Steel 1:0 Fall River Rovers at Coats Field (Att.: 15,000)
The rivalry between Bethlehem Steel Company FC and Fall River Rovers FC kicked off in the 1916 National Challenge Cup (U.S. Open Cup) final. The teams represented two of the country’s major industrial centers, the Bethlehem team composed of European imports, known for their precision passing game, and the Rovers a mostly native-born team relying more on effort than skill. [Read more…] about May 6, 1916 – A U.S. OPEN CUP RIVALRY IS BORN