Dec. 24, 1927 – Boston Wonder Workers 4:0 Brooklyn Wanderers, Walpole St. Grounds Christmas Eve/Christmas Day back-to-backer

Billy Gonsalves scored in his debut game for the Boston Wonder Workers. Gonsalves, playing at right inside forward, set up Bobby Blair (two goals) for a 1-0 lead in the fifth minute. “[Gonsalves] was in great form and he finished up a great play beating three of the Brooklyn men, flashing the ball into the net for Boston’s fourth and last goal.”

Gonsalves totaled six goals in 20 appearances as Boston won the ASL championship. Gonsalves (b. Aug. 10, 1908 in Portsmouth, R.I.) had been a teenage star for several teams, leading Lusitania Recreation to the 1927 Boston and District League title. Gonsalves started for the U.S. in the 1930 and ’34 World Cups and earned “national acclaim as the finest American-born player of his or any other day,” according to Colin Jose in American Soccer League 1921-31/The Golden Years of American Soccer.

The Wonder Workers’ lineup was composed of English and Scottish league veterans, plus Gonsalves and Barney Battles, who had been signed after playing for amateur teams in Charlestown. Battles, listed at right back in this game, left to join Heart of Midlothian, setting a club record with 44 goals (which still stands) during the 1930-31 season.

Dec. 25, 1927 – Brooklyn 4:2 Boston at Hawthorne Field (Att.: 4,000) The Wanderers won the rematch, knocking Boston out of first place. Gonsalves did not play in this match, but soon became a regular starter as the Wonder Workers went on to win the ASL title.

NEW ENGLAND SOCCER HISTORY