Harvard went on a strong run from 1969-71, advancing to two NCAA semifinal games. Goalkeeper Shep Messing, who had played at Nassau Community College and NYU, joined the Crimson from 1970-71. Messing played for the U.S. in the 1972 Olympic Games and performed for the Boston Minutemen in 1975 and ’76, in between stints with the New York Cosmos. [Read more…] about Nov. 24, 1969 – Harvard 1:0 (AET) Hartwick, NCAA Regional Championship (Att.: 4,000)
Eusebio da Silva Ferreira emerged on the international scene as Benfica won the 1961 and ’62 Champions Cup. Eusebio, born in Lourenço Marques (Maputo), Mozambique, won the Ballon D’Or as Europe’s top player in 1965 and led Portugal to a third-place finish in the 1966 World Cup. [Read more…] about Nov. 22, 2015 – Eusebio inducted into New England Soccer Hall of Fame
Tony Crescitelli set a NCAA Division 3 record with 123 career goals in 62 games for the North Adams State (MCLA) Mohawks from 1975-78. Crescitelli (b. Jan. 11, 1957 in Altavilla Irpina, Italy) grew up on Long Island and went on to play once for the U.S. national team in 1983. [Read more…] about Nov. 14, 2010 – Tony Crescitelli inducted in New England Soccer Hall of Fame
Taylor Twellman displayed a fierce competitive streak and exceptional goal-scoring instinct during a career cut short by injury. [Read more…] about Nov. 3, 2010 – Taylor Twellman announces retirement
Chris Cleary went from Boston College to play in England and Germany. Cleary was 25 when he scored all the Worksop Town goals in a 3-2 win over Droylesden FC. [Read more…] about Oct. 6, 2004 – Chris Cleary first U.S. player to score FA Cup hat trick
Tommy Dent was a captain in the Black Watch Regiment that was gassed during World War I, and had moved to Hanover, N.H., as part of his recovery. Dent compiled a 143W-111L-22D record from 1924 to ’59 and also coached the Big Green lacrosse team. Dent was chairman of the New Hampshire Fish and Game Commission. [Read more…] about Sept. 24, 1924 – Thomas J. Dent named coach at Dartmouth College
New England is among the few areas of the country where Lusophone influence is stronger than Hispanic. Organizers began capitalizing by staging a Brazil v Mexico friendly at Gillette Stadium in 2007, the Mexican players expressing surprise when their supporters were outnumbered. [Read more…] about Sept. 10, 2013 – Brazil 3:1 Portugal at Gillette Stadium (Att.: 62,310, third-largest soccer crowd in Mass. history)
After finishing in last place in the NASL Atlantic Division with a 9W-17L-6D record, the Boston Beacons announced the team was seeking a buyer. Average attendance was 4,373 for 15 matches, the Beacons declaring losses of about $500,000 in their only season. [Read more…] about Sept. 8, 1968 – Boston Beacons’ final match at Fenway Park
Wes McLeod’s 63rd-minute finish past Arnie Mausser, who had bobbled the initial shot, made the difference in the opener of a two-game North American Soccer League playoff series. Keita had six shots and U.S. Men’s National Team midfielder Ringo Cantillo (Tea Men captain) and Bob Newton four as the Tea Men outshot the Rowdies, 27-12, and had a 16-1 corner kick edge. [Read more…] about Aug. 27, 1980 – Tea Men 0:1 Tampa Bay, final NASL game at Schaefer Stadium (Att.: 17,121)
Foxboro Stadium (1971-2001) was designed for NFL games and had no soccer specifications. But the facility ended up with a strong soccer legacy, serving as home to two professional teams (New England Tea Men, New England Revolution); playing host to six 1994 World Cup matches; two MLS Cups (including the inaugural final in 1996); several internationals, including World Cup qualifiers; plus nine matches in the 1999 and 2003 Women’s World Cup; and the initial Women’s United Soccer Association final. [Read more…] about Aug. 25, 2001 – WUSA Founders Cup final at Foxboro Stadium. Bay Area CyberRays 3:3 Atlanta Beat (Att.: 21,078)