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.
With the help of a fluke goal in the second half, the Brooklyn Field Club moved on to the inaugural 1914 National Challenge Cup final with a 2-1 victory over New Bedford FC.
Although the game was played at a neutral venue, over 4,000 spectators turned up at Coats Field in Pawtucket, Rhode Island to watch the semifinal contest. More than 800 New Bedford supporters made the trip from Massachusetts.
In what proved to be a premonition of things to come, referee James Schofield called both teams to the center circle before kickoff and warned them about rough play. At 3:30 p.m., the game began.
From the beginning New Bedford attacked the Field Club goal, as Quinlan managed to clear a shot from Chadwick. New Bedford was able to force a pair of corner kicks, though the wind prevented anything meaningful to come from the chances. Brooklyn gained control and nearly scored when Robert Millar centered a pass to Percy Adamson, but Adamson was unable to get a good touch on the ball and sent his shot wide of the goal.
After 24 minutes, New Bedford was the first to score. A run from Murphy was followed by a scrimmage in front of the goal, and Beckton was able to sneak the ball past Field Club goalkeeper Haughie for a 1-0 lead. Soon after, Brooklyn had a good opportunity to tie the score, but Adamson’s free kick from 18 yards out sailed over the crossbar.
In the minutes following the goal, the pre-game warning from referee James Schofield came to fruition, as several fouls were called. At the 34 minute mark, a run by Chadwick was strongly stopped by Neil Clarke, resulting in a fight between the two players. Schofield sent both players off the field. The Pawtucket Times noted that New Bedford was hurt more by losing Chadwick then Brooklyn was in losing Clark.
Just minutes before the halftime whistle, Brooklyn knotted the score. After taking a pass from Adamson, Millar sprinted into the penalty area and hammered home a shot across the goal and into the top of the net, freezing New Bedford goalkeeper Haworth who was helpless on the play.
The second half proved how costly Chadwick’s absence would be for New Bedford. Passes from Murphy and Klemm to forwards Beckton and Fredette were often off the mark. The Pawtucket Times mentioned that Fredette, for fear of being offside, played a “flat footed game and was repeatedly found wanting.”
New Bedford did have one decent chance to score in the second half. Murphy broke away from a scrimmage at midfield toward the Brooklyn goal. At first Haughie remained in goal, but after hearing defender Quinlan yell “come out, come out!”, Haughie raced toward the ball and just beat Murphy to clear it away for a corner kick.
In the 69th minute, Brooklyn got the winning goal on somewhat of a fluke play. Following a throw-in, James Ford sent a pass into the penalty area. New Bedford defender Preston, trying to clear the ball from the mess of players in front of the goal, kicked the ball directly into Millar. The ball rebounded off Millar and past Haworth and over the goal line for a 2-1 lead.
The Brooklyn defense was able to hold off New Bedford’s shaky attack for the rest of the game, sending the Field Club eleven to the first-ever National Challenge Cup Final.
1913/14 National Challenge Cup Semifinals
April 18, 1914 – Coats Field (Pawtucket, RI)
Brooklyn Field Club 2:1 New Bedford FC
Scoring Summary
New Bedford: Beckton – 24th min.
Brooklyn: Robert Millar – 43rd min.
Brooklyn: Robert Millar – 69th min.
Lineups
Brooklyn: Haughie (GK), Quinlan, Charles Drinkwater, H.W. Matthews, Neil Clark, Nichols, James Ford, George Knowles, Percy Adamson, Robert Millar, Henry Shanholt
New Bedford: Haworth (GK), Billy O’Toole, Preston, Clarke, Holden, Brown, Murphy, Klemm, Fredette, Chadwick, Beckton
Red Cards: Neil Clark (Brooklyn) 34’, Chadwick (New Bedford) 34’
Attendance: 4,000
Referee: James Schofield
Linesmen: Harry Dale, William Black
Path to the Semifinals
Brooklyn Field Club
Round 1: 1-0 win vs. IRT Strollers
Round 2: 3-0 win vs. Brooklyn Rangers FC
Round 3: 1-0 win vs. Bethlehem FC*
* The result was protested by Bethlehem, but the USFA ruled in favor of BFC
Quarterfinals: 4-1 win vs. Yonkers FC
New Bedford FC
Round 1: Forfeit win over Farr Alpaca (Holyoke, MA)*
* New Bedford won 3-1, but Farr Alpaca’s protest was upheld. Farr Alpaca was unable to play the replay due to a conflicting league game.
Round 2: 3-0 win over Presbyterian FC (Bridgeport, CT)
Round 3: 2-0 over West Philadelphia FC
Quarterfinals: 4-1 win vs. Peabody FC
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
