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.
The Lenox Oval was the scene of a wild third round affair between Yonkers FC and New York Celtic. With Yonkers leading 3-1 with twenty minutes remaining in the second half, Celtics J. Duffy fouled a Yonkers player who was on the ground. Referee George Caldicott ordered Duffy off the field, but Duffy refused to leave. An unidentified Yonkers player then struck Duffy and was sent off as well.
Duffy finally left the field, but retuned to attack Caldicott, causing him to be removed from the field by two policemen. Ten minutes later Waters, right fullback for the Celtics, was ordered off for rough play. Waters also refused to leave the field, leading Caldicott to stop the game with ten minutes to play.
In Detroit, Michigan, the Roses FC hosted the Niagara Falls Rangers, and the visitors came away with a 2-0 victory to advance to the quarterfinals.
The field at Maloney’s Park was covered with a foot of snow, and the Detroit Free Press described both teams as “displaying a very fair brand of the English game” despite the conditions.
In the opening minutes of the game Shankland and Munshow almost gave the hosts an early lead. The Free Press noted that the Rangers should have ended the first half three goals ahead, but the deep snow provided a great handicap towards their efforts.
In the second half, Roses goalkeeper Stansfield made a few outstanding saves to keep the game scoreless, but in the 60th minute his goal was finally breached by Wallace. The Roses had their chances in equalizing, with Horton and Miller missing chances, and eventually Wallace scored his second goal of the game after Stansfield saved two successive shots.
It was noted by the Free Press that the Roses players were much smaller and faster than their Rangers counterparts, but the heavy snow negated their speed advantage.
The remaining third round game between Chicago’s Pullman FC and Hyde Park Blues was called off due to weather, and would eventually be played on March 8, 1914.
1913/14 National Challenge Cup
Third Round
Yonkers FC 3:1 New York Celtic FC
Feb. 1, 1914 – Lenox Oval – Manhattan, New York
Sent Off: J. Duffy (NYC), Unknown Player (Yonkers), Waters (NYC)
Referee: G. Caldicott
Match stopped in 80th minute when Waters refused to leave the field after being sent off.
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Niagara Falls Rangers FC 2:0 Roses FC
Feb. 1, 1914 – Maloney’s Park – Detroit, Michigan
Scoring Summary
Rangers: Wallace – 60th min.
Rangers: Wallace – Second Half
Lineups
Roses: Stansfield, Thompson, Cowan, Wink, Moore, Morgan, Winslow, Sutherland, Shankland, Horton, Miller
Rangers: Highheit, Boyle, Clarkson, Parkes, Lumsden, Pearce, Harper, Wallace, C. Holmes, Kemp, Fred Milnes
Referee – G. O’Keefe | Linesmen – R. Bone, W. Glasgow
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
