Sept. 21, 1949 – U.S. 5:2 Cuba, World Cup qualifying at Estadio de los Deportes, Mexico City (Att.: 5,000)

Fall River’s John Souza scored the second goal as the U.S. took a 4-0 lead over the Cubans, virtually clinching a berth in the 1950 World Cup. The U.S. scorers were Walter Bahr (16^th), Souza (23^rd), Matevich (30^th and 35^th) and Frank “Pee Wee” Wallace (48^th). The U.S. lineup also included Manuel Martin, Souza’s Ponta Delgada teammate.

Wallace, a former POW who was born Frank Valicenti in St. Louis, converted in a 1-1 draw with Cuba on Sept. 14, 1949. The U.S. qualification was not finalized until Mexico blanked Cuba, 3-0, on Sept. 25, 1949.

The U.S. went on to upset England, 1-0, in Belo Horizonte on June 29, 1950.

Ponta Delgada won the U.S. Amateur Cup title from 1946-48 and in 1950, supplying the entire U.S. national team in 1947. No full-time professional league existed in the U.S.

Sept. 21, 1975 – Boston Astros 2:2 (9 OTs) New York Apollo, ASL final at Mt. Vernon, N.Y.

Former Boston Celtics star Bob Cousy, the ASL Commissioner, declares teams co-champions

Sept. 21, 2002 – Revolution 3:0 NY/NJ MetroStars at Gillette Stadium (Att.: 20,215).

Revolution won Eastern Conference title on final day of regular season

TODAY IN NEW ENGLAND SOCCER HISTORY