Jamaica national team forward Lloyd McLean’s 25th-minute goal opened the scoring, Pelé and Santos FC then dominating for a 7-1 victory over the Boston Beacons at Fenway Park. Toninho scored twice for Santos, equalizing in the 33rd minute, Pelé converting the go-ahead goal. According to Peter Gammons’ story in The Boston Globe: “ … Although he only scored once and assisted on one goal (Pelé) proved to be one of the most exciting athletes anyone has seen in this area.” Bob Sales’ column compared Pelé to James Brown, Willie Mays, Mickey Mantle, Sandy Koufax and Bobby Orr. [Read more…] about July 8, 1968 – Pele’s Boston debut
Bob Sales
May 5, 1967 – Atlanta Chiefs 3:1 Toronto Falcons at Fenway Park (Att.: 6,298)
Jimmy Fund benefit game in rain storm. Roy Bloomfield finished a Ron Newman shot deflected off Bill Brown, then Newman earned two PKs, Bloomfield and Graham Newton converting. Lopez scored for Toronto. Roddy Pearce (Jamaica) commanded midfield, plus Ev Cummings and Emmet Kapengwe (Zambia), according to Seamus Malin story in The Boston Globe. Future NASL commissioner Phil Woosnam is player-coach, thanks to Bob Sales story.
TODAY IN NEW ENGLAND SOCCER HISTORY