Ponta Delgada first team to win both U.S. Open Cup & U.S. Amateur Cup. Ponta Delgada came close to two successive doubles; in 1946, Ponta Delgada won the U.S. Amateur Cup and lost to the Chicago Vikings (3-2 aggregate) in the U.S. Open Cup final. In the 1948 Olympics, the U.S. team included captain Joseph Rego-Costa and four of his Ponta Delgada teammates: Joe Ferreira, Manuel Martin, Ed Souza and John Souza. Goals: Quinn (PK), Mejia; Ferreira, Valentine, Jim Delgado. [Read more…] about Sept. 7, 1947 – Chicago Sparta 2:3 (3:9) Ponta Delgada SC, U.S. Open Cup final, Sparta Stadium (Att. 5,000)
Olympic Games
Aug. 2, 1984 – Norway 2:0 Qatar, Olympic Games at Harvard Stadium (Att.: 17,529)
The Norwegians (1-1-1, 3 points) finished in third place and Qatar (0-2-1, 1 point) last in Group A of the 1984 Olympic soccer tournament. The Qataris missed a penalty kick and were issued three red cards by referee Bester Kalombo. Joar Vaadal scored both goals on his 24th birthday.
[Read more…] about Aug. 2, 1984 – Norway 2:0 Qatar, Olympic Games at Harvard Stadium (Att.: 17,529)
Aug. 1, 1996 – U.S. Women’s National Team first title in FIFA-sanctioned tournament – U.S. 2:1 China, Olympic Games, Athens, Ga. (Att.: 76,489)
Though the USWNT had captured the 1991 Women’s “World Championship” (not World Cup), FIFA did not begin approving full-length matches and full sanctioning until the 1995 WWC. [Read more…] about Aug. 1, 1996 – U.S. Women’s National Team first title in FIFA-sanctioned tournament – U.S. 2:1 China, Olympic Games, Athens, Ga. (Att.: 76,489)
July 31, 1984 – France 2:1 Norway. Olympic Games Group A match at Harvard Stadium (Att.: 27,832)
France (1W-0L-2D, 4 points) won Group A on the way to capturing the 1984 Olympic title. The France-Norway match attracted the largest crowd of six Olympic soccer matches staged over a six-day period at Harvard Stadium. [Read more…] about July 31, 1984 – France 2:1 Norway. Olympic Games Group A match at Harvard Stadium (Att.: 27,832)
July 29, 1984 – Chile 0:0 Norway, Group A match, Olympic Games at Harvard Stadium (Att.: 25,000)
Vice president George Bush proclaimed the start of local events in the 1984 Olympics, a day after the games kicked off in Los Angeles. Johnny Kelley delivered an Olympic torch and former Olympians Tina Noyes, Hilary Smart and John Thomas participated in an official lighting. [Read more…] about July 29, 1984 – Chile 0:0 Norway, Group A match, Olympic Games at Harvard Stadium (Att.: 25,000)
July 6, 1936 – Andrew W. “Poly” Guyda selected for U.S. Olympic team
Poly Guyda was in the U.S. starting lineup for a 1-0 loss to Italy in the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. Poly Guyda (or Gajda) was born in Manchester, N.H., and played quarterback for the high school football team, then attended Lowell Institute and MIT. Guyda went on to star for several local teams, including the Boston Celtics and Lusitania Recreation, then became an assistant coach at Harvard into the mid-1950s. [Read more…] about July 6, 1936 – Andrew W. “Poly” Guyda selected for U.S. Olympic team
April 19, 1927 – Boston SC 3:2 Nacional (Uruguay), Pearl St. Stadium – Malden, Mass. (Att.: 7,000)
Patriots’ Day game interrupted by on-field brawl. On April 18, Gov. Alvan Fuller received the reigning Copa America and Olympic champions at the State House (Fuller was also being petitioned to review the Sacco & Vanzetti case). The Boston Marathon was conducted in 82-degree heat. Only three runners broke three-hour mark, Clarence De Mar winning in 2 hours, 40 minutes. [Read more…] about April 19, 1927 – Boston SC 3:2 Nacional (Uruguay), Pearl St. Stadium – Malden, Mass. (Att.: 7,000)
March 15, 1924 – OLYMPIC TRYOUT AT SULLIVAN SQ. POSTPONED
A tryout match for the U.S. Olympic team at the Sullivan Square field in Charlestown was postponed “On account of ice and snow,” according to The Boston Globe. Clan Robertson of Dorchester and the Worcester Rangers were set to meet in the game. Also postponed was the Quincy Olympics v. Readville Carshops match at Merrymount Park. [Read more…] about March 15, 1924 – OLYMPIC TRYOUT AT SULLIVAN SQ. POSTPONED
March 14, 1924 – U.S. team announces George H. Burford of Brockton as coach/trainer for 1924 Olympic Games in Paris
George Burford and George M. Collins were in charge of the U.S. team that defeated Estonia (1-0), then was eliminated by eventual gold medalists Uruguay (3-0). Collins was also the soccer editor of The Boston Globe (nice gig!).
Here is Collins’ assessment of the U.S. chances in a March 17, 1924 Globe article entitled UNITED STATES SOCCER TEAM SHOULD MAKE A GOOD SHOWING: [Read more…] about March 14, 1924 – U.S. team announces George H. Burford of Brockton as coach/trainer for 1924 Olympic Games in Paris
Nov. 6, 1909 – Boston Rovers 3:2 Lynn City at Franklin Park
Former Manchester City center forward William “Billy” Gillespie (b. Oct. 2, 1873 in Strathclyde, Scotland) scored for Lynn City. Gillespie, described as “one of the greatest center forwards England has had in years,” had combined with Billy Meredith, winning the 1904 FA Cup with the Citizens. Manchester City was later disciplined for paying players above the maximum wage; Gillespie refused to pay a fine, instead moving to the U.S., settling in Lynn and later coaching Harvard’s soccer team. [Read more…] about Nov. 6, 1909 – Boston Rovers 3:2 Lynn City at Franklin Park