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
USMNT
March 18, 2000 – Fernando Clavijo’s first game as New England Revolution coach
The New England Revolution played to a 1-1 draw with the Miami Fusion at Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Diego Serna (61st minute) scored first, the Revolution’s Imad Baba (80th) equalizing. Clavijo would guide the Revolution to their first .500 season and first playoff victory that year, and to the 2001 U.S. Open Cup final. [Read more…] about March 18, 2000 – Fernando Clavijo’s first game as New England Revolution coach
March 16, 1930 – Fall River 1:1 aet Bethlehem Steel, National Challenge Cup at Polo Grounds ‘One of the greatest games’
This U.S. Open Cup match at the Polo Grounds “was one of the greatest games ever seen here,” according to the Boston Globe report. Attendance announced at 15,000, including 3,000 arriving from New England (the New York Giants averaged less than 12,000 attendance in both the 1929 and ’30 seasons at the Polo Grounds).
A replay was set at New Bedford next Sunday “by the committee of the National Cup.” Bethlehem Steel scored on an R. McAuley own goal after 12 minutes of the second half. “Stark had almost connected with Dick’s great center and McAuley’s lunge at the ball caused the deflection.” At 27 minutes, Alex McNab deadlocked. [Read more…] about March 16, 1930 – Fall River 1:1 aet Bethlehem Steel, National Challenge Cup at Polo Grounds ‘One of the greatest games’
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
March 13, 1937 – “Despite the snowstorm of the previous day the pitch was in great shape”
Soccer games set for March 13, 1937 were called off because of snow, but a full schedule was played the following day. The Boston Globe story in March 14, 1937 editions previewing the American Professional League season-opener between Lusitania Recreation and the Boston Celtics noted: “Celts are on the spot and have to win this match or take an awful panning from the fans.” But the Lucy Recs took a 4-1 win over the Celtics in “the American Pro League opener” at Lincoln Park. “Despite the snowstorm of the previous day the pitch was in great shape.”
Bobby Green scored three goals, Poly Guyda one for Lusitania. Mike McDonough converted for the Celtics. J. Lyons listed at rh in Celts lineup, could have been Jackie Lyons, who played in the 1928 Olympics. Poly Guyda played for the U.S. in the 1936 Olympics in Berlin and went on to coach at Harvard.
TODAY IN NEW ENGLAND SOCCER HISTORY
March 12, 2016 – Earliest Revolution home-opener. Revolution 0x0 D.C. Utd.
The New England Revolution played to their fourth successive scoreless draw in a home-opener. The Revolution extended their scoreless streak to 449 minutes, dating to Saer Sene’s first-minute goal in a 1-0 win over the Portland Timbers March 24, 2012, and their shutout streak to 450 minutes, in home-openers.
[Read more…] about March 12, 2016 – Earliest Revolution home-opener. Revolution 0x0 D.C. Utd.
March 11, 1928 — Snowfall Too Heavy for Boston-New Bedford
At least one soccer match was snowed out on the second Saturday in March, 1928. The next day, though, conditions improved enough for the Fall River Marksmen to play host to J&P Coats in an American Soccer League game in North Tiverton, R.I. The Marksmen took a 3-2 win over the Threadmen as Harold Brittan scored twice, heading in the deciding goal off a Dougie Campbell cross in the second half. [Read more…] about March 11, 1928 — Snowfall Too Heavy for Boston-New Bedford
Feb. 24, 1929 – Fall River Wins on an Icy Field
The Fall River Marksmen took a 2-0 victory over the New Bedford Whalers in a Sunday game before a 3,500 crowd. The game “was well played despite the heavy condition of the field,” according to the Boston Globe story. In the second half, “ice commenced to form on the field, making play dangerous.” Tec White and Johnny Granger scored.
[Read more…] about Feb. 24, 1929 – Fall River Wins on an Icy Field
Feb. 17, 2006 – Clint Dempsey scores 5 goals in preseason game
Clint Dempsey joined the Revolution as a defensive midfielder in 2004, but began emerging as an attacking threat early on. By ’06, Dempsey had become a regular with the U.S. national team, though he did not solidify a starting role until the final game of 2006 World Cup group play. In the preseason, Dempsey totaled 7 goals – he scored 5 goals in an 8-1 win over the Bermuda U-20 national team on this day.
Dempsey scored 8 goals in 21 games for the Revolution (plus another 4 for the U.S.) in ‘06. But, by the end of the season, Dempsey and several teammates were playing injured. The lack of an adequate bench, plus some physical opposition along the way, caused the Revolution to be below par in the MLS Cup final; Dempsey and Steve Ralston were unable to participate in penalty kicks as the Revolution lost to the Houston Dynamo after playing to a 1-1 draw.
TODAY IN NEW ENGLAND SOCCER HISTORY
Feb. 16, 1929 – Goal-scorers & ‘keepers
There had been evidence the U.S. could produce high level goal-scorers and goalkeepers in the early part of the century, as Archie Stark (253 goals), Johnny Nelson (223) and Davey Brown (189) became the top three career scorers in the American Soccer League. New Englanders included U.S. national team captain Tommy Florie (126) and U.S. national team stars Bert Patenaude (118) and Billy Gonsalves (92). Lower-profile scorers also were emerging, such as Arnie Oliver and Freddie Wall. On this day, Wall scored twice as Philadelphia FC handed the Providence Gold Bugs their only home defeat of second half of ASL season with a 3-2 decision. Wall, born in Fall River, finished seventh in the ASL with 22 goals in 25 games, also playing for the Newark Skeeters.
“The Phils’ center-forward almost won the game single-handed when he scored two goals and passed to Wardrop a third,” according to The Boston Globe account. For the deciding goal, Wall outmaneuvered Joe Kennaway, who would go on to be Celtic FC’s starting goalkeeper from 1931-39. [Read more…] about Feb. 16, 1929 – Goal-scorers & ‘keepers