May 10, 1992 – Mike Masters scores first goal by U.S. player at Wembley

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.

Masters’ scoring helped Colchester win promotion to the Fourth Division; he totaled eight goals in 19 appearances, including a hat trick in a 5-0 win over Barrow on the final day of the season as Colchester won the league on goal difference over Wycombe Wanderers. Masters, whose fifth-minute header helped Colchester to a 2-0 halftime lead in the FA Trophy final, was unable to gain a work permit after the team was promoted.

Masters earned one U.S. cap, entering as substitute for Eric Wynalda in a 0-0 draw with Ukraine in Piscataway, N.J., on June 27, 1992.

Masters also played for the Boston Storm, a team that included future Revolution players Calichman, Preston Burpo, Jeff Causey, John Debrito, Francis Okaroh.

May 10, 1992 – Colchester Utd. 3:1 Witton Albion (FA Trophy) at Wembley (Att.: 32,254)

TODAY IN NEW ENGLAND SOCCER HISTORY