Mario Mandzukic opened the scoring for Juventus against Roma. The Bianconeri took the lead for the first time in three New England performances – they drew with the U.S. national team (0-0) at the Yale Bowl in 1991 and Barcelona (2-2) at Gillette Stadium in 2003. Roma, which has played in Boston three times (2W-1L-0D) since 1972, was performing in Foxborough for the first time. [Read more…] about July 30, 2017 – Juventus 1:1 AS Roma, ICC game, Gillette Stadium (Att.: 33,039)
Rematch of a 2002-03 Champions League quarterfinal, Juventus having eliminated Barcelona on way to reaching the finals. [Read more…] about July 27, 2003 – Ronaldinho makes Barcelona debut, Barcelona 2:2 Juventus, Gillette Stadium (Att.: 30,912)
Giuseppe Signori, making his first start for Italy, nailed a 20-plus-yard free kick and earned a penalty, converted by Alessandro Costacurta. [Read more…] about June 4, 1992 – Italy 2:0 Ireland, U.S. Cup at Foxboro Stadium (Att.: 34,797)
Beppe Galderisi might have been the Sebastian Giovinco of his era, but by the time he arrived to play for the New England Revolution, his career was nearly over. Galderisi won Serie A titles with Juventus and Verona, but on the international stage, he had a tough act to follow – Paolo Rossi – with defending champion Italy in the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. By the 1990s, Galderisi was playing alongside Alexi Lalas at Padova, before both joined the Revolution for MLS’ inaugural season in 1996. [Read more…] about April 21, 1999 – Revolution name Giuseppe Galderisi assistant coach
The 32.25 million euro transfer of Ronaldinho from Paris Saint-Germain to Barcelona was concluded on July 21, but Ronaldinho was not planning to compete for Barça in the U.S. Promoters insisted Ronaldinho appear in the match, and they had their way as he replaced Oscar Lopez in the second half of a 2-2 draw with Juventus. [Read more…] about July 27, 2003 – Ronaldinho makes Barcelona debut
Two clubs financed by Boston-based owners (John Henry, James Pallotta) met in a preseason match that was being proposed as a regular event. Goals from Michael Bradley (63rd minute) and Alessandro Florenzi (69th) gave Roma the advantage, then Liverpool substitute Charlie Adam (80th) cut the deficit. [Read more…] about July 25, 2012 – AS Roma 2:1 Liverpool FC at Fenway Park (Att.: 37,169)
Worcester Mayor Andrew B. Holstrom presented the outstanding player trophy to AIK’s Ahlstrom, according to The Boston Globe. V. Ostlund scored twice as AIK took a 5-0 halftime lead, Moraes scoring for Lusitano in the fourth minute of the second half. AIK compiled a 9W-2L-1D on this tour (losses to Fall River and Vancouver).
[Read more…] about July 1, 1951 – Ludlow Lusitano 1:6 AIK Stockholm, Worcester, Mass. (Att.: 2,500)
Billy Gonsalves pushed for Buff Donelli to be included in the U.S. national team, and Donelli scored every goal for the U.S. in a 4-2 victory over Mexico in a playoff match in Rome May 24, 1934. Three days later, Italy took a 3-0 halftime lead before Donelli’s 57th-minute conversion.
It seemed strange that FIFA would require two CONCACAF teams to travel to Italy to contest a play-in match, especially since a Trans-Atlantic voyage involved several weeks. If the U.S.-Mexico game had been considered part of the World Cup, Donelli would have tied with Czechoslovakia’s Oldrich Nejedly for the Golden Boot with five goals. [Read more…] about May 27, 1934 – Aldo (Buff) Donelli scores only goal for U.S. in World Cup opener