May 6, 1916 – A U.S. OPEN CUP RIVALRY IS BORN
Post by frankdellapa@gmail.com
May 6, 1916 – Bethlehem Steel 1:0 Fall River Rovers at Coats Field (Att.: 15,000)
The rivalry between Bethlehem Steel Company FC and Fall River Rovers FC kicked off in the 1916 National Challenge Cup (U.S. Open Cup) final. The teams represented two of the country’s major industrial centers, the Bethlehem team composed of European imports, known for their precision passing game, and the Rovers a mostly native-born team relying more on effort than skill.
The contrast in styles, and the fact the Rovers were considered underdogs, played into the rivalry. Tommy “Whitey” Fleming sort of had a foot in both camps, having moved from Ayreshire to Quincy, Mass., as a teenager seeking higher wages for playing and also a chance to work in the Fore River Shipyard. Fleming, who had relatives residing in Quincy until recently, decided the 1916 final with a 78th-minute penalty kick, Bethlehem Steel becoming the first team to win consecutive U.S. Open Cup titles. Fleming was known for his lethal left foot and had been 33 for 34 on PKs in last four years going into game, according to The Boston Globe.
The Globe advance noted: “The Fall River Rovers are, with the one exception of Morgan, who hails from England, all local born and bred. The game will, therefore, be a virtual test of seasoned old country experience against home talent. There is a marked difference in their respective styles. The Fall River players have a bustling method as opposed to the smooth, machine-like action of the imported team.”
Coats Field in Pawtucket, R.I., which had hosted he initial final in 1914, was close to being a home venue for the Rovers. And the partisan crowd believed the Rovers had earned a 90th-minute penalty kick when Jock Ferguson appeared to have handled, Brooklyn-based referee David M. Whyte allowing play to continue. “Several policeman managed with great difficulty to save him from rough handling by the angry crowd.”
The controversy contributed to the build-up for the 1917 National Challenge Cup final rematch, the Rovers avenging the result.
May 5, 1917 – Fall River Rovers 1:0 Bethlehem Steel at Coats Field (Att.: 7,500)
In this game, the deciding goal was converted by Tommy Swords, who captained the first U.S. national team. The Rovers became the first New England team to win the U.S. Open Cup, Swords scoring in the first minute (the time has been listed between 30 seconds and 60 seconds).
“ … this time it came 60 seconds after the ball was kicked off, on a drive 35 yards out, for which Duncan dove and barely missed,” according to the Globe.
The Spalding’s Annual story by Charles Ashton Lovett:
“A lone goal, tallied by the Rovers in the first minute of play through a daring, dashing attack decided the match, witnessed by some 7,500 fans who braved a stiff, cutting northeast wind and a drenching drizzle. Captain Thomas Swords of the Rovers netted the ball from a beautiful pass from center forward Francis M. Landy and, with a lightning boot, crossed the internationally famous Bethlehem goalie, William Duncan, almost before the shrill of the starting whistle had ceased to echo. Appropriate indeed that Swords should score that all-important goal – Swords, who captain so excellently the first international team from the United States, which compelled respect for American soccer football throughout all Europe by its triumphs in Sweden and Norway in the summer of 1916. …
“Bethlehem won the toss and chose to defend the south goal. Landy started the sphere a-rolling. The ball had not been soiled on the mud-surfaced field when Sullivan gained possession and passed to Landy, who deflected to Swords. With the entire defense line of the Bethlehem team before him, Captain Tommy inaugurated one of his thrilling, zig-zagging tears down the field. He eluded player after player until, within thirty feet (sic) of the Bethlehem goal, he cut loose a rifle shot that curved just out of Duncan’s reach and landed, as it proved, the great national trophy for the first time in the New England district. Swords was hugged and slapped appreciatively by turns as his teammates crowded ‘round him before returning to their positions. …
“(Fletcher) soon after play was resumed, tripping Swords, who fell violently and on recovery, seemed anxious, like his adversary, to engage in a sport apart from football.”
Bethlehem took command and kept the pressure on Jack Albion for most of the game. But Swords nearly doubled the lead, “when he took a pass from Sullivan and shot it with terrific force against the cross-bar” in the 71st minute.
“At the curtain’s fall, the Fall River followers set up a mighty din that continued unabated for fully fifteen minutes around the clubhouse. With the final whistle, the Rovers forgot for the moment their fatigue, their bruises and mud-bespattered condition and casting convention to the gale, hugged one another in their great joy.”
According to Spalding’s, Swords, 31, weighed about 165 pounds.
Other Rover bios:
— Jack Albion “is one of the smallest men who ever reached the stage of stardom as a goal tender. … weighs 140 pounds.”
— William W. Turner – “Billy” Turner is one of the younger members of the Rovers. He is just one year past the legal voting age. … Turner weighs about 130 pounds.
— Frank Booth – Booth is another of the “home guard,” having been born in Fall River 29 years ago. … he has always been considered a star … he weighs about 145 pounds.
— John F. Cullerton – “Cul” was the tiniest man on the team. In fact, John is so small that he refuses to give the count his avoirdupois to the public.
— Gedeon LaPierre – “Stony” for years has been known as one of the best and toughest half-backs Fall River ever produced.
— Johnny “Mac” McFarland was the tallest player and heaviest, at 170 pounds.
— “Sinkey” Sullivan “is known as the ‘wild man’ of the Rovers. He is full of life and dash and is always doing something out of the ordinary. He is a whirlwind and he and Swords make one of the greatest goal getting duos in Uncle Sam’s domain.”
The Fall River Rovers were founded at a meeting on County Street in February 1884, according to Spalding’s. During the 1916-17 season, the Rovers had a 16W-4L-3D record and a 53-25 goal differential. Sullivan (12 goals) led in scoring, followed by Swords and Landy (11).
According to the National Challenge Cup Competition Committee Report, dated May 27, 1917: “The final game was played on a day when the rain fell from early morning right through the whole afternoon, yet there was 4,529 adults and 98 boys paid admission at the gates and the extra receipts from sale of grand stand and bleacher seats brought the total gate receipts to $2,582.60.
“Considering weather this really was a remarkable crowd and gate, most of the credit falling to our retiring President, who stirred up the interest by novel and personal advertising throughout New England.”
May 4, 1918 – Fall River Rovers 2:2 (aet) Bethlehem Steel at Coats Field, (Att.: 10,000), U.S. Open Cup final (replay May 19, 1918)
Ratican gave Bethlehem the lead off a Fleming-Kirkpatrick combination, before Sullivan equalized. Fleming broke the deadlock in about the 76th minute, then Chadwick sent the match into extra time. The Steel team won, 3-0, in the replay in Harrison, N.J., May 19. Pepper scored twice in the first half, off a Ferguson long ball, then off the rebound of a Fleming free kick. With 15 minutes remaining, Ratican converted a Fleming cross for the final goal.
TODAY IN NEW ENGLAND SOCCER HISTORY