Oct. 30, 1926 – Bethlehem Steel 1:1 Boston SC. Goals: Archie Stark, Tommy Fleming

Tommy Fleming and Archie Stark were born in Scotland, moving while in their teens to industrial centers in the Northeastern U.S., where they forged professional soccer careers.

Stark’s goal was disputed, the shot headed out as it appeared to be entering the goal just under the bar. “ … the official was standing on the goal line and could not have been mistaken,” according to the Bethlehem Globe.

Fleming’s free kick equalized early in the second half. “He drove in a terrific shot, catching Edwards off guard, the ball entering the rigging just over the ‘keeper’s head.”

Fleming won four National Challenge Cup (U.S. Open Cup) titles (he scored the deciding goal in the 1915 and ’16 finals) with Bethlehem Steel (he’s front row, far right in photo). Fleming (b. Beith, Scotland, Jan. 15, 1890) returned to New England – he had moved to the Fore River Shipyard area in 1907 – in 1922, later coaching Quincy High School’s soccer team.

Stark (b. in Glasgow, Dec. 21, 1897) moved to Hudson County, N.J., when he was 13, beginning his playing career with the Kearney Scots in 1912. Stark, the ASL’s all-time leading scorer with 253 goals, converted a record 67 goals in the 1925-26 season, adding another five goals in two appearances for the U.S. national team. Stark performed for the Fall River Marksmen on a European tour in 1930 but refused a chance to join the U.S. team in the 1930 World Cup in Uruguay.

TODAY IN NEW ENGLAND SOCCER HISTORY