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Feb. 16, 1929 – Goal-scorers & ‘keepers

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There had been evidence the U.S. could produce high level goal-scorers and goalkeepers in the early part of the century, as Archie Stark (253 goals), Johnny Nelson (223) and Davey Brown (189) became the top three career scorers in the American Soccer League. New Englanders included U.S. national team captain Tommy Florie (126) and U.S. national team stars Bert Patenaude (118) and Billy Gonsalves (92). Lower-profile scorers also were emerging, such as Arnie Oliver and Freddie Wall. On this day, Wall scored twice as Philadelphia FC handed the Providence Gold Bugs their only home defeat of second half of ASL season with a 3-2 decision. Wall, born in Fall River, finished seventh in the ASL with 22 goals in 25 games, also playing for the Newark Skeeters.

“The Phils’ center-forward almost won the game single-handed when he scored two goals and passed to Wardrop a third,” according to The Boston Globe account. For the deciding goal, Wall outmaneuvered Joe Kennaway, who would go on to be Celtic FC’s starting goalkeeper from 1931-39. [Read more…] about Feb. 16, 1929 – Goal-scorers & ‘keepers

Feb. 15, 2011 – Revolution sign Argentinian defender Franco Coria

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Franco Coria paired with A.J. Soares in central defense for the New England Revolution season-opener, a 1-1 draw with the LA Galaxy at The Home Depot Center. Coria went on to play 17 games (14 starts), often in a makeshift lineup.

Coria, from Los Toldos (Evita Peron’s hometown), had been playing for Chacarita Juniors, and later started for Sarmiento in Argentina’s first division.

Feb. 15, 1925 – Fall River 3×0 J&P Coats [Read more…] about Feb. 15, 2011 – Revolution sign Argentinian defender Franco Coria

Feb. 14, 1926 – ‘Great Soccer in the Rain at Tiverton, R.I.’

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The U.S. Open Cup (the National Cup then), and American Soccer League games, were conducted through the winter months in the early part of the century. And supporters showed up (and stayed), despite the weather.

On this day, the Boston Wonderworkers held the Fall River Marksmen to a 1-1 draw at Mark’s Stadium.

The subhead in The Boston Globe read:

‘Crowd of 7000 at Game, a League Thriller’

The opening graph noted: “The ground was clear of snow and ice and the teams got away with a bang.” [Read more…] about Feb. 14, 1926 – ‘Great Soccer in the Rain at Tiverton, R.I.’

Feb. 13, 2012 – Revolution acquire Saër Sène on free transfer from Bayern Munich

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Saër Sène made one of Gillette Stadium’s most spectacular debuts, scoring 28 seconds into his first match. The goal gave the Revolution  a 1-0 win over the Portland Timbers on March 24, 2012, their first victory under coach Jay Heaps. Sène totaled 11 goals in 23 games during the 2012 season, and finished with 17 goals in three Revolution seasons, his career cut short by injury.

Sène, whose father, Oumar, played for Paris Saint-Germain, was with  Bayern Munich II from 2009-12. Among his coaches was Hermann Gerland, who coached Joe-Max Moore at FC Nurnberg in the ‘90s and is now first team assistant.

TODAY IN NEW ENGLAND SOCCER HISTORY

Feb. 12, 1928 – The story of Barney Battles

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On this day in 1928, the Providence Clamdiggers and Boston Wonder Workers played to a 0-0 draw. In the first half, former Chelsea FC center forward Bill Finlayson hit the post and Boston’s Bobby Blair, the American Soccer League’s second-leading scorer (38 goals) the previous season, missed an open net . The Boston Globe story notes Providence goalkeeper Joe Kennaway, who would go on to play for Celtic FC, “fell prone in the mud,” but Blair “hurried his boot and as a result shot clear over the bar.” Blair “rocked the upright with a fine drive” late in the game. In the final two minutes, Boston’s Johnny Ballantyne (Partick Thistle, Queen’s Park Rangers) and Providence’s Jimmy Bardell were ejected for fighting. [Read more…] about Feb. 12, 1928 – The story of Barney Battles

Feb. 11, 2011 – Revolution acquire SS Lazio midfielder Ousmane Dabo

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Not many players in Revolution history displayed greater composure in midfield than Ousmane Dabo, though not enough people had a chance to see him demonstrate his ability in New England. When Dabo was 21, he was transferred from Rennes to Inter for 9 million euros. A 31-year-old Roberto Baggio (2.5m euros) and a 19-year-old Andrea Pirlo (2m euros) were among Inter’s midfield newcomers that year. Dabo became a valuable journeyman holding midfielder, learning the trade with several Serie A clubs, winning Coppa Italia twice, plus the 2003 Confederations Cup with France. Dabo also made a stop at Manchester City, where he played under Stuart Pearce and also absorbed a major cheap shot from teammate Joey Barton during a training session.

[Read more…] about Feb. 11, 2011 – Revolution acquire SS Lazio midfielder Ousmane Dabo

Feb. 10, 2002 – Revolution select Taylor Twellman No. 2, Shalrie Joseph in 2nd round of MLS SuperDraft

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Still difficult to fathom how Dallas could have passed up Twellman with the MLS’ first pick, though No. 1 pick Chris Gbandi (currently Northeastern’s head coach) always impressed me as an outside back. Revolution coach Fernando Clavijo needed only a few minutes to decide what he would do if Twellman was available, as described in excerpts of my story in the 1/12/2002 editions of the Boston Globe below.

Twellman went on to score 101 goals in 174 regular-season games, his .581 scoring rate best among MLS’ top 10 career scorers. Raul Diaz Arce is No. 2 on the Revolution scoring rate list (.556), Joe-Max Moore No. 3 (.459). Twellman converted another 10 goals in 21 playoff games and totaled 119 goals in 211 appearances in all competitions for the Revolution. [Read more…] about Feb. 10, 2002 – Revolution select Taylor Twellman No. 2, Shalrie Joseph in 2nd round of MLS SuperDraft

Feb. 9, 1929 – ‘Biggest crowd, best soccer of the season’

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Bobby Blair scored twice as J&P Coats took a 3-0 win over the Providence Gold Bugs, remaining unbeaten in the second half of the ASL season in “a contest which brought about the biggest crowd and best soccer of the current season,” according to 2/10/29 editions of the Boston Globe. Providence’s Joe Kennaway would go on to become Celtic FC goalkeeper from 1931-39.

On the same day, the Boston Wonder Workers were upset, 4-3, by Jersey City at the Walpole Street Grounds. The visitors from Skeeterville “inject(ed) Jimmy Douglas, Olympic goalie of 1924 into their lineup” and “deserved to win,” according to the Globe account. “The field was heavy, in fact it was ankle deep in mud …” [Read more…] about Feb. 9, 1929 – ‘Biggest crowd, best soccer of the season’

Feb. 8, 2000 – John Harkes reports to Revolution camp in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

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Former U.S. national team captain John Harkes played an important role as the New England Revolution compiled their first .500 record for an MLS regular season in 2000. But after the Revolution got off to a six-game losing streak in 2001, Harkes departed for Columbus. Harkes finished with two goals in 55 appearances for the Revolution.

The Revolution team that began the 2000 season included several players who went on to become coaches, Leonel Alvarez (Colombia) and Mauricio Wright (Costa Rica) winning championships. Harkes made his coaching debut with FC Cincinnati last year, guiding the team to third place in the Eastern Conference. [Read more…] about Feb. 8, 2000 – John Harkes reports to Revolution camp in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Feb. 7, 1925 — “Will there be another 14,000 crowd this time?”

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That was the question in The Boston Globe story after J&P Coats qualified for a showdown with the Fall River Marksmen in the U.S. Open Cup. J&P Coats had blanked the Newark Skeeters, 5-0, as Johnny Harvey scored three goals in Pawtucket, R.I., in a Feb. 7 match.

The next day, the ASL’s top teams, the Fall River Marksmen and Bethlehem Steel played to a 2-2 draw before a 10,000 crowd at Mark’s Stadium in North Tiverton, R.I. Archie Stark scored one of his 67 regular-season goals for Bethlehem. Stark would go on to convert four goals as the U.S. took a 6-1 win over Canada in an international friendly in Brooklyn in November. The Marksmen went on to record a 19W-0L-3D record at home, totaling 66 points in 44 games, and edging Bethlehem by 3 points for first place. The Globe’s George M. Collins wrote. “The soccer men who are crying ‘Do not play any American League games in January and February’ should have been at Tiverton, R.I. …”

TODAY IN NE SOCCER HISTORY