May 23, 2002 – Revolution fire Fernando Clavijo, name Steve Nicol interim coach

Fernando Clavijo had coached the Revolution to their first .500 season and first playoff victory in 2000, then guided the team to the 2001 U.S. Open Cup final. But after a 2W-4L-1D start, Clavijo was replaced by assistant coach Steve Nicol on May 23, 2002.

May 23, 1975 – Boston Minutemen 3:0 Los Angeles Aztecs, NASL game at Nickerson Field

Goals: Melledew 2, Davies. Note: Shep Messing saves Bobby Sibbald PK

May 23, 1953 – Old Time Soccer Players Assn. fourth annual reunion at United Shoe FC in Beverly, Mass.

May 23, 1948 – Ponta Delgada 4:1 Pittsburgh Curry Vets at North Tiverton, R.I. (Att.: 3,000)

Ponta Delgada’s third successive U.S. Amateur Cup title

Lineups announced for New England All-Star team v. Liverpool FC at Fall River Stadium on May 26, 1948:

NE All-Stars: G-Tony Almeida (Ludlow Lusitanos); FB – Dr. Billy Nesto (ex-Medford All-Stars/NY Americans), Gordon Andrews (Fall River SC); HB – Steve Quinn, Joe Rego, Frank Travis (Fairlawn Rovers); RF – Shorty Moniz (Ponta Delgada), Ed “Wolfie” Souza (Ponta Delgada); CF – Joe Feicha (Ludlow Lusitanos); LF – John “Clarkie” Souza (Ponta Delgada), Vic Lucianno.

Liverpool: Sidlow; Jim Harley, Ray Lambert; Phil Taylor, Bill Jones, Bob Paisley; Billy Liddell, Jack Balmer, Al Stubbins, Billy Fagan, Kenny Brierley.

May 23, 1926 – New York Giants 3:0 (4:5 aggregate) New Bedford Whalers, Lewis Cup final at the Oval

This was the second year of the Lewis Cup competition, the equivalent of the League Cup for ASL teams.

In the first leg, the Whalers won, 5-1, at Battery Park in New Bedford on May 22, 1926. Jimmy Montgomerie “lost a penalty,” meaning he either missed a penalty kick or surrendered one – the Giants’ right back Charlie Kelly did convert a penalty kick. The Whalers had two own goals, Neil Turner scored twice, and Andy Stevens (who totaled 44 goals in 39 league matches) converted just before the final whistle. Stevens’ goal turned out to make the difference.

In the return game, the Giants came within a goal of equalizing the series. The Whalers finished second to the Fall River Marksmen in the 1925-26 ASL standings.

Goals: Bremner 11^’, Brown 49^’, Duggan 86^’.

Fall River Marksmen 2:1 Bethlehem Steel FC (Att.: 2,000)

Goals: Campbell, Croft; Granger.

NEW ENGLAND SOCCER HISTORY