Bert Patenaude, probably the most dynamic U.S.-born goal-scorer ever, converted once and earned an 85th-minute penalty. Johnny Slavin (ex-Raith Rovers, Hearts) scored the deciding penalty kick after Patenaude was “tripped by Rebello six minutes from the end.” [Read more…] about Dec. 27, 1931 – New York Giants 3:2 New Bedford Whalers at Polo Grounds (Att.: 2,500)
Shawsheen FC, which won the 1924 National Challenge Cup (U.S. Open Cup) title, competed on “… one of the finest soccer grounds in the country,” according to the Boston Globe. The Balmoral Park field still exists in Andover, Mass. [Read more…] about Dec. 26, 1924 – Shawsheen FC granted ASL franchise
“Players and mounted policemen escorted Referee George Lambie of Newton off the field … A sudden attack of snowballs followed (Lambie’s) decision, ruling against the goal scored by Johnny Harvey in the last 50 seconds of play. The midget right winger lodged the ball in the net during a lively scrimmage in front of the Fall River netting. The referee claimed Bobby Curtis, who slipped and fell in the mire, was off-side.” [Read more…] about Dec. 25, 1926 – J&P Coats 0:0 Fall River Marksmen at Lonsdale-Av. Grounds, Pawtucket, R.I. (Att.: 4,000)
Billy Gonsalves scored in his debut game for the Boston Wonder Workers. Gonsalves, playing at right inside forward, set up Bobby Blair (two goals) for a 1-0 lead in the fifth minute. “[Gonsalves] was in great form and he finished up a great play beating three of the Brooklyn men, flashing the ball into the net for Boston’s fourth and last goal.”
[Read more…] about Dec. 24, 1927 – Boston Wonder Workers 4:0 Brooklyn Wanderers, Walpole St. Grounds Christmas Eve/Christmas Day back-to-backer
Robert Gilmore and William Neilson (two goals), Dick McAvoy and Fred Morley scored for a J&P Coats team that would win the ASL championship in the league’s second season. [Read more…] about Dec. 23, 1922 – J&P Coats 6:0 Ansonia, American Cup (U.S. Open Cup) 4th-round match
With the launching of a Second Division, the American Soccer League “expects to take all the coming sandlotters and make them into Big League stars,” according to the Boston Globe. [Read more…] about Dec. 22, 1928 – ASL Second Division League kicks off
According to The Boston Globe, the game between two Fall River soccer teams was “arranged by Gov.-elect Russell with Col. Spencer Borden of his prospective staff while the former was here to speak during the campaign.” There had been “a movement … to add Association foot ball to the regular list of sports at Harvard …”
The Rovers and Olympics had each won in two previous games against each other in 1890.
A separate Globe story reported: “…. The Fall River contingent … arrived home at 8 o’clock and the Rover men immediately began to paint County St., where the winning team’s clubs are situated, a bright red. The Olympics were favorites in betting … 50 to 10 … About $2,000 was wagered on the game by local sports.”
Another match under association football rules had been scheduled in Boston: “A game has been arranged between two Fall River teams for Christmas day on the Brotherhood base ball grounds.”
Dec. 25, 1890 – Chase Rovers 2:1 Fall River Clippers at Congress St. Grounds (Att.: 200)
”The cold wind whistled around the grounds made memorable by the brilliant work of Boston’s famous champions of 1890 (the Boston Reds baseball team, which lasted two seasons) and the foot ball players were unable to keep warm, not to speak of the spectators.”
TODAY IN NEW ENGLAND SOCCER HISTORY
Barney Battles Jr. scored twice for the Boston Wonder Workers. “… Boston’s kid forward came into his own … the best game he has played since he joined the pro ranks.” [Read more…] about Dec. 19, 1925 – Boston Wonder Workers 3:1 Shawsheen Indians at Walpole St. Grounds
Former Chelsea center forward Harold Brittan scored two goals as the Fall River Marksmen blanked the Brooklyn Wanderers at the recently-opened Mark’s Stadium. [Read more…] about Dec. 17, 1922 – Fall River 5:0 Brooklyn Wanderers at Mark’s Stadium. “Soccer On The Ice”
Craig Tornberg became the team’s third general manager (following Brian O’Donovan and Todd Smith) after working with the team since 1995. Tornberg was in charge of marketing and ticket sales projects, also setting up challenging preseason schedules against clubs from CONCACAF, Europe and South America as the Revolution advanced to eight successive berths in the MLS playoffs. [Read more…] about Dec. 16, 2003 – Craig Tornberg named Revolution GM