TheCup.us introduces “The First Cup” series, which revisits the first running of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup (then known as the National Challenge Cup) that took place from the fall of 1913 to the spring of 1914.
Editor’s note: As you read this, you’ll notice a lot of players with just one name. This is not an oversight on our part, but rather, many of the sources of this information (newspapers, publications etc.) only use the last name of players in their stories. If you have confirmation of any of their names, or any other details that would add to our historical records, feel free to reach out to us HERE. We are always looking for help with historical research.
Links to the full series are located at the bottom of this story.
November 1, 1913
The 1913/14 National Challenge Cup began got under way on Nov. 1, 1913 with three games scheduled, but only two of them would be played.
The New Bedford FC defeated Farr Alpaca of Holyoke, Mass. in the opening round by a score of 3-1. While New Bedford was a talented squad in their own right, it could be considered a bit of an upset considering that Farr Alpaca, a club sponsored by a textile mill in Holyoke, Mass., had only lost one match in the last three years entering that weekend’s action.
Burnett opened the scoring for Farr Alpaca with a goal from the penalty spot, but it was to be the only blemish on the record of New Bedford’s goalkeeper Howard.
Two minutes later Beeton evened the score with a penalty conversion of his own for New Bedford. Meller gave the home side a 2-1 lead just before halftime and then struck against in the second half to give the home side a 3-1 cushion.
The ball stayed in possession of New Bedford for much of the game, and the New Bedford back line of McManus, Burnett and Littlejohn did a good job at keeping the Alpacas off the scoresheet aside from their lone penalty kick.
Hall and Leitsen also stood out for the Holyoke club according to newspaper reports.
The start of the game was delayed while referee A. Milne and the New Bedford management settled a dispute over the pay Milne was to receive for officiating the contest.
Over in Eastern Pennsylvania, Bethlehem FC completely outclassed the visitors from Disston AA by a score of 7-0. The Sawmakers from Philadelphia were no match for Bethlehem FC (who became Bethlehem Steel FC the following season) in front of their home fans. Bethlehem lost the coin toss and had to start play facing a strong wind, which helped keep the game close for the first fifteen minutes. After receiving a pass from Lance, Fleming was able to beat both Disston backs to score a splendid goal, leaving Disston goalkeeper Errickson with no chance.
From this point, Bethlehem displayed a fine combination passing game, at times bewildering the Disston players. Lewis scored the second goal by taking the ball at midfield and making a solo run through the Disston defense.
With the start of the second half, Bethlehem found themselves with the wind at their back and continued to outclass Disston. The goals came in rapid succession, as Fleming scored his second, Lewis added two more, along with Lance and Stewart to make the final score 7-0. It should be noted that Disston goalkeeper Errickson did a good job to keep the score from reaching double digits with some sensational saves.
There was a third game on the schedule, but it would ultimately not be played as Tacony FC forfeited their opening round match against Kensington Association FC.
Tacony had an American Cup match against the Trenton Hibernians scheduled for the same day, and the club felt the AFA match was more important. The American Cup was an elite-level regional tournament that dates back to 1885. Tacony seemed to value the American Cup a little more because the year before they reached the championship game, losing to the Paterson True Blues, 5-4. Tacony would end up defeating Trenton 3-1 and would eventually reach the Cup Final for the second year in a row where they would fall to Bethlehem Steel.
This represented the struggle that many teams had with playing multiple cup competitions, something that has not gone out of style a full century later. The Philadelphia Inquirer commented on the situation on Nov. 3, 1913, writing “There is something radically wrong in the arrangements when a team is scheduled to play two important cup games in one afternoon.”
1913/14 National Challenge Cup – First Round
Farr Alpaca 1:3 New Bedford FC
Nov. 1, 1913 – New Bedford, Mass.
Scoring Summary
Farr Alpaca: Burnett (PK)
New Bedford: Beeton (PK)
New Bedford: Mellor
New Bedford: Mellor
Lineups
New Bedford: Haworth, Bagley, Ralstrick, Preston, Murphy, Helden, Mellor, Klemm, Morgan, Beeton, McKenna
Farr Alpaca: McManus, Littlejohn, Burnett, McKinstrie, Turner, Gammie, Arnold, Lietzen, Chruikshanks, Hall, Dowdall
Referee – A. Milne | Linesmen – Southworth, Scott
Disston AA 0:7 Bethlehem FC
Nov. 1, 1913 – Bethlehem, Pa.
Scoring Summary
Bethlehem: Fleming (Lance)
Bethlehem: Lewis
Bethlehem: Fleming
Bethlehem: Lewis
Bethlehem: Lewis
Bethlehem: Lance
Bethlehem: Stewart
Lineups
Bethlehem FC: Love, McKelvey, Garvey, Stewart, Morris, Lawler, Fleming, Donaghy, Lance, Lewis, Galbraith
Disston AA: Errickson, Quinn, Dutcher, Henry, Stalger, Gibeson, Whittaker, Eastwood, Sheritt, Shive, Parks
Referee – Charles Mayne | Linesmen – Callum, Shackelton
THE FIRST CUP SERIES (THECUP.US)
A detailed look back at the 1913/1914 National Challenge Cup
Sept. 12, 1913 / Oct. 11, 1913: How the 1913/14 National Challenge Cup began
Nov. 1, 1913: The inaugural National Challenge Cup gets under way
Nov. 2, 1913: Brooklyn Field Club begins their journey as Round 1 concludes
Nov. 29 1913: Farr Alpaca forfeit Round 1 replay with New Bedford FC
Dec. 6, 1913: Four teams move on to Round 3, two more to be decided by protest or replay
Dec. 14, 1913: Second Round nearly complete as USFA announces protest results, draw for Round 3
Dec. 21, 1913: Third time’s the charm for St. George FC as Round 2 comes to a close
Jan. 12, 1914: Rochester’s MacNaughton Rangers forfeit replay with Niagara Falls Rangers
Jan. 24, 1914: Differing opinions as New Bedford FC eliminates West Philadelphia FC to reach quarterfinals
Jan. 25, 1914: Brooklyn Field Club, Columbia Oval join the quarterfinals
Mar. 8, 1914: Pullman FC beats Hyde Park Blues in Chicago derby to complete quarterfinal field
Mar. 28, 1914: Brooklyn Field Club defeat ‘cup holders’ Yonkers FC to reach Challenge Cup Semifinals
Mar. 29, 1914: Brooklyn Celtic defense carries them past Columbia Oval, into Semifinals
Apr. 5, 1914: Niagara Falls Rangers topple Pullman FC to complete Semifinal field
Apr. 18, 1914: Brooklyn Field Club edge New Bedford FC to reach inaugural National Challenge Cup Final
Apr. 26, 1914: Brooklyn Celtic cruises past Niagara Falls Rangers to reach inaugural National Challenge Cup Final
Before the 1913/1914 Final: By boat or by train, Brooklyn Field Club, Brooklyn Celtic prepare for inaugural National Challenge Cup Final
May 16, 1914: Brooklyn Field Club wins inaugural National Challenge Cup on late winner over Brooklyn Celtic