Kristine Lilly (b. July 22, 1971 in New York City) made her international debut while a 16-year-old student at Wilton High School (she led Wilton to three Connecticut State championships) in 1987. Lilly became the youngest player to score a goal for the U.S. in a 1-1 draw with China at Punyu on Aug. 13, 1987 and the oldest in a 4-0 win over Germany in Cleveland on May 22, 2010. [Read more…] about Nov. 5, 2010 – Kristine Lilly plays 352nd and final international match
Olympic Games
Aug. 1, 1996 – U.S. 2:1 China, Olympic Games final at Athens, Ga. (Att.: 76,489)
This was the first title for the U.S. Women’s National Team in a fully-sanctioned FIFA tournament. The 1991 WWC was considered a “World Championship” (not World Cup) and games were played with 40-minute halves. The success of the ’91 event paved the way for the ’95 WWC in Sweden (won by Norway) and inclusion of the women’s game in the Olympics. Women’s football exploded as a spectator sport in the ’96 Games, 16 matches drawing total crowds of nearly 700,000 (64,196 for the semifinals). [Read more…] about Aug. 1, 1996 – U.S. 2:1 China, Olympic Games final at Athens, Ga. (Att.: 76,489)
July 31, 1984 – France 2:1 Norway. Olympic Games first-round match at Harvard Stadium (Att.: 27,832)
Both goals were scored by RC Lens’ Francois Brisson, France going on to win the Olympic title. [Read more…] about July 31, 1984 – France 2:1 Norway. Olympic Games first-round match at Harvard Stadium (Att.: 27,832)
July 6, 1936 – Andrew W. “Poly” Guyda selected for U.S. Olympic team
Guyda was in the U.S. starting lineup for a 1-0 loss to Italy in the 1936 Olympics.
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
May 25, 1924 – First U.S. win in Olympic soccer
Andy Straden scored on a 15th-minute penalty kick as the U.S. defeated Estonia for its first victory in the Olympics. The U.S. was then eliminated with a 3-0 loss to eventual champion Uruguay, the clash providing a connection between the countries, leading to the Uruguayans making a 1927 tour that included a stop in Boston. [Read more…] about May 25, 1924 – First U.S. win in Olympic soccer
March 22, 1934 – RANGERS WIN N.E. SOCCER TITLE
The Worcester Rangers took a 2-1 win over Clan Robertsons of Dorchester in the New England amateur championship soccer game at Sullivan Square “before one of the largest crowds on the Charlestown ground this season,” according to the Boston Globe. [Read more…] about March 22, 1934 – RANGERS WIN N.E. SOCCER TITLE
March 15, 1924 – OLYMPIC TRYOUT AT SULLIVAN SQ POSTPONED
“On account of ice and snow,” according to The Boston Globe report, likely penned by George M. Collins, who would become the manager of the U.S. team in the 1924 Paris Olympics. 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. In a March 17, 1924 article entitled UNITED STATES SOCCER TEAM SHOULD MAKE A GOOD SHOWING, The Globe’s Collins expressed optimism in the U.S. chances at the 1924 Paris Olympics. [Read more…] about March 15, 1924 – OLYMPIC TRYOUT AT SULLIVAN SQ POSTPONED