Two weeks after losing in the National Challenge Cup (U.S. Open Cup) final, Ponta Delgada won the U.S. Amateur Cup for the fourth time in five years. Ponta Delgada was considered underdogs in the away leg, after having played to a 0-0 home draw with Harmarville on May 14, 1950. [Read more…] about May 21, 1950 – Pittsburgh Harmarville 1:4 (1:4 aggregate) Ponta Delgada at Bridgeville Park, U.S. Amateur Cup final
This was a preparation match for the U.S. national team before the 1990 World Cup in Italy. Peter Vermes scored 15 seconds into the second half and Tony Meola saved a late Aleksandar Dordevic free kick as Partizan played without three Yugoslavia national teamers, including starting defender Predrag Spasic. [Read more…] about May 20, 1990 – U.S. 1:0 Partizan Belgrade at Yale Bowl, New Haven, Conn. (Att.: 30,644)
Gregg Berhalter and Brad Friedel in U.S. starting lineup — yes, they would be coaching against each other in the same venue 16 years later — New England Revolution v Columbus Crew.
Dutch coach Dick Advocaat probably had it right when he said: “It is always good to win. Maybe it is good for the Americans that they lost, too.” [Read more…] about May 19, 2002 – U.S. 0:2 Netherlands, CMGI Field (Gillette Stadium) initial international (Att.: 36,778)
Former U.S. national team teammates Billy Gonsalves (Brooklyn Hispano) and Aldo “Buff” Donelli (Morgan) were matched in the National Challenge Cup (U.S. Open Cup) final. Gonsalves, 35, won for the eighth time in his final U.S. Open Cup final. Donelli, 36, “played a great game for the Strassers, but he was not well supported,” his teammates including his brother, Fred Donelli. (The Boston Globe). Buff Donelli also coached the Cleveland Rams of the NFL in 1944 and went on to coach Columbia and Boston University in football. [Read more…] about May 14, 1944 – Brooklyn Hispano 4:0 Morgan Strasser, U.S. Open Cup final at Polo Grounds (Att.: 12,000)
Celtic’s Ed Czerkiewicz (West Warwick, R.I.) plays in fourth of six U.S. Open Cup finals, Billy Gonsalves’ ninth consecutive final, at Starlight Park in the Bronx. Czerkiewicz, who also won a title with the Pawtucket Rangers, started at right fullback for the U.S. in the 1934 World Cup. [Read more…] about May 7, 1939 – St. Mary’s Celtic 4:1 [5:1] Manhattan Beer, National Challenge Cup final at Starlight Park (Att.: 8,000)
Fall River Rovers become first Massachusetts team to win National Challenge Cup (U.S. Open Cup) at J&P Coats Field in Pawtucket, R.I. U.S. national team captain Tommy Swords credited with goal at 30 seconds, though The Boston Globe story noted: “… this time it came 60 seconds after the ball was kicked off, on a drive 35 yards out, for which Duncan dove and barely missed.” [Read more…] about May 5, 1917 – Fall River Rovers 1:0 Bethlehem Steel, National Challenge Cup final at Coats Field (Att.: 7,500)
Players with New England ties named to the first U.S. World Cup squad included: halfbacks Andy Auld (Providence), William Gonsalves (Fall River); and forwards James Brown (New York Giants), Thomas Florie (New Bedford), J.C. Gentle (Philadelphia), Bert Patenaude (Fall River). Arnold Oliver (New Bedford) also joined the U.S. team, which reached the semifinals of the 1930 World Cup in Uruguay. [Read more…] about May 4, 1930 – USFA “foreign relations committee” selects 15 players for World Cup team
My Notes column from the MetroStars-New England Revolution match provides hints about the limitations of MLS rosters and the exceptional conditions Shalrie Joseph played under (injuries, low salary). Joe-Max Moore sustained a career-ending injury and Taylor Twellman was “bleeding from the mouth” during a post-match interview. [Read more…] about April 25, 2004 – Joe-Max Moore plays 98th and final MLS game; Clint Dempsey scores first professional goal
Brooklyn Field Club went on to win the initial National Challenge Cup (U.S. Open Cup) at Coats Field in Pawtucket on May 16, 1914. Brooklyn’s Scottish inside left, Robert Millar, became coach of the U.S. national team in the 1930 World Cup. [Read more…] about April 18, 1914 – New Bedford FC 1:2 Brooklyn FC, National Challenge Cup semis at Pawtucket, R.I. (Att.: 4,000)
Five days before the National Challenge Cup (U.S. Open Cup) final, the U.S. team was selected for the 1934 World Cup in Italy. The U.S. team included eight players from the final: Billy Gonsalves, B. Lehman, Willie McLean, Werner “Scotty” Nilsen (Stix, Baer & Fuller); and Eddie Czerkiewicz, Walter Dick, Tommy Florie, Joe Martinelli (Pawtucket Rangers). [Read more…] about April 16, 1934 – Stix, Baer & Fuller 5:0 Pawtucket Rangers, National Challenge Cup final, Walsh Memorial Stadium (Att.: 8,000)