Oct. 12, 1889 – Fall River Rovers 4:1 Pawtucket Free Wanderers, American FA Cup series (Att.: 1,000)

This was a rematch of the 1888-89 American Football Association Cup semifinal, won by the Rovers, who went on to defeat the Newark Caledonians for the title.

According to The Boston Globe: “It was generally conceded that the championship lay between these two clubs.”

Cornell opened the scoring, then Pawtucket’s Murray equalized. The Rovers broke the deadlock on a Stewart own goal and Roll added two second-half goals.

“A large amount of money was wagered on the result, and the Pawtucket contingent backed their favorites heavily.”

The Rovers were founded in February, 1884 and opened their ground in 1887.

TODAY IN NEW ENGLAND SOCCER HISTORY