June 19, 1931 – Boston Celtics 2:1 (5:2 aggregate) Clan MacGregor, Mayor Curley Cup semifinals at Faxon Field, Quincy

Long before the National Basketball Association version of the name, the Boston Celtics were a successful soccer club – “the Irish club from Sullivan Sq.” in Charlestown, according to The Boston Globe. Former U.S. national teamer Jackie Lyons, who played in the 1928 Olympics, led the way for the Celtics against the defending champion Clan MacGregor of Quincy.

June 19, 1931 – Boston Celtics 2:1 (5:2 aggregate) Clan MacGregor, Mayor Curley Cup semifinals at Faxon Field, Quincy

Difficult to determine the level of James Michael Curley’s interest in soccer. The Mayor Curley Cup was awarded from the late 1920s through at least 1939. Curley apparently kicked off at least one game at Fenway Park, according to the Globe.

On the same day, the Bunker Hill Celtics were losing, 2-0, to St. Anthony’s of East Cambridge when their North Massachusetts and New Hampshire Junior Cup match was interrupted “because baseball players invaded the pitch with nearly 20 minutes remaining.”

June 18, 1928 – Boston Wonder Workers 2×2 Glasgow Rangers at Fenway Park (Att.: 10,000)

Ex-Mayor James M. Curley “will start the ball that will send Glasgow Rangers, champion soccer team of Scotland, against the Boston pro team at 6:15 p.m. This is the game thousands of soccer fans have been looking forward to for months”

TODAY IN NEW ENGLAND SOCCER HISTORY