Dec. 29, 1923 – Fore River 7:0 Brookline at Commonwealth Avenue Armory

John Renfrew hat trick for the Fore River Shipyard team before the “biggest indoor season crowd,” at the Commonwealth Avenue Armory, according to the Boston Globe. Full-field indoor soccer matches were staged at the Armory from 1922-25. The Dec. 30, 1922 editions of the Boston Globe noted: “… the first ‘indoor soccer’ game in this State. Full teams of players, 11 on each side, will compete. The game is due to start at 8:15 and a large crowd is expected.”

From the Dec. 31, 1922 editions:

“The success of indoor soccer is assured, judging from last night’s exhibition at the armory. The playing arena of the big indoor pitch came up to expectations and seemed to have a marked effect on the work of the players. St. George’s triumphed, 3 to 2, over Roxbury, after one of the hardest and fastest games seen for many a day.”

Jan. 6, 1923 – U.S. 2:5 Scotland at Commonwealth Armory

“… the first all inter-country contest in this sport ever played indoors.” Though this match was not considered a full international, the U.S. team included at least two national teamers — Teddy O’Connor and Herbert “Birdie” Wells, who competed in the 1924 Olympics in Paris.

The Massachusetts Army National Guard, built in 1915 and demolished in 2002 to make way for Agganis Arena and the BU Student Village, also played host to polo matches and track meets.

TODAY IN NEW ENGLAND SOCCER HISTORY