May 28, 1994 – U.S. 1:1 Greece, Yale Bowl, New Haven, Conn. (Att.: 21,317)

Greece and the U.S. were preparing for the 1994 World Cup, and Bora Milutinovic clearly succeeded in getting the team ready.

AEK Athens’ Frank Klopas opened the scoring in the 45^th minute, the Greeks equalizing on substitute Minas Hatzidis 49^th-minute long-distance curler. Marcelo Balboa was red-carded in the 71st minute, and missed the final U.S. tuneup (replaced by Clé Kooiman), a 1-0 win over Mexico on June 4, 1994.

As host country, the U.S. did not have to play qualification matches, and Milutinovic set up an extensive schedule of matches. This result gave the U.S. a 4W-9L-8D record for 1994. The U.S. would win once in four World Cup final games, advancing past the first round in the tournament for the only time since 1930.

Alkis Panagoulias guided Greece to the World Cup for the first time, but the team faltered after qualifying, beset by accusations of conflicts of interest, organizational inefficiency, political squabbling. Hatzidis’ goal was the only one Greece scored in preparation matches, and the team then went 0W-3L-0D (0-10 goal differential) in the finals. Panagoulias, who coached the U.S. in the early ‘80s, remains a revered figure in Greek soccer, having also guided the team to its first European Championship berth in 1980, paving the way for later success.

May 28, 1921 – Braintree Welfare 2:0 Trimo, Williamson Cup final at Sullivan Sq. Ground

May 28, 1944 – Massachusetts All-Stars 2:8 British Royal Navy Select at Pearl Street Stadium, Malden (Att.: 2,000)

Teddy Markham 6 goals. Bennett & Leyland score for Mass.

May 28, 1950 – Boston Celtics v Hakoah at Columbia Park, Strandway

May 28, 1967 – Boston Shamrock Rovers 1:1 Detroit Cougars at Lynn Manning Bowl (Att.: 7,300)

May 28, 2005 – U.S. 1:2 England at Soldier Field, Chicago

Clint Dempsey scores first international goal

Getty Images photo

NEW ENGLAND SOCCER HISTORY