Brooklyn Field Club

The First Cup: Brooklyn Field Club wins inaugural National Challenge Cup on late winner over Brooklyn Celtic (May 16, 1914)

May 16, 2014 by Chuck Nolan Jr.

1914 Brooklyn Field Club — Brooklyn Field Club from the 1913/14 season

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.

At long last the moment had arrived, the crowning of first ever National Challenge Cup champion. On October 12, 1913, the list of 40 participating teams was announced, and on November 1 the first games were played. Almost six months later, Brooklyn Celtic and Brooklyn Field Club emerged the sole survivors of the elimination contests, convening at Coats Field in Pawtucket, Rhode Island to decide who would reign supreme and lift the Dewar Challenge Trophy.

1914 Brooklyn Celtic — Brooklyn Celtic from the 1913/14 season

The Pawtucket Times described the scene at Coats Field that afternoon: “Long before the captains had met in the center of the field……every vantage point within the spacious enclosure was peawed with humanity. The grandstand and bleachers filled like magic; around the field the spectators thronged seven and eight deep. Every automobile was filled to its capacity and even the baseballs scoreboard in left field provided a precious foothold for groups of hardy souls.”

Thomas Bagnall, president of the New York Amateur Association Football League, USFA President Dr. Rudolph G. Manning, and USFA Secretary Thomas Cahill were all on hand for this historic occasion, the crowning of the first true soccer champion of the United States. After both teams were photographed and a “moving picture machine” was set up in the grandstand to film the action, Celtic forward Thomas Campion kicked off at 3:21 pm.

Field Club won the coin toss and chose the south goal, forcing Celtic to deal with both the bright sun and a fairly strong wind from the south. Field Club wasted no time, grabbing the lead a mere two and a half minutes into the game. Bob Millar sent an overhead shot on goal that Frank Mather successfully blocked with a leaping save, Before Mather could set himself again, Percy Adamson put the ball past the Celtic goalkeeper for a 1-0 lead. The force of the kick sent Adamson to the ground, but his teammates happily picked him up, embracing him and patting him on the back.

Play in the early stages of the game was described as rough, with referee Charles Creighton often warning the players of their aggressiveness.

The Pawtucket Times described the rough play in detail. “Adamson and Millar tripped with their feet and chopped with their elbows,” the paper reported. “Andy Robinson and (David) Flanigan and the other Celtic backs body-checked their opponents.” The rough and tumble play left all the players under heavy scrutiny from referee Creighton, who issued repeated warnings.

The rough play finally came to a head after 25 minutes. As Roddy O’Hallaran was closing in on the Field Club goal, H.W. Matthews charged in with a hard tackle, leaving O’Hallaran to fall face first onto the pitch. Creighton immediately blew his whistle, awarding a penalty kick to Celtic. Thomas Campion stepped up for the spot kick and sent it into the net before Field Club goalkeeper Haughie could even move.

1914 Final coverage-headlines — (From left to right) Headlines from the Springfield Union, Pawtucket Times and New York Tribune about the 1914 National Challenge Cup Final

Play settled down for the rest of the half, and heading into the break the score was knotted 1-1.

For much of the second half Field Club dominated the game, keeping the ball in the Celtic half of the field for most of the way. The Celtic defense appeared to have tired legs by this time, defending desperately rather then strategically. George Knowles sent in a hard shot that Mather stopped more by luck than brilliance. The Times noted that Celtics fullback Andy Robinson played an instrumental role in keeping Field Club from winning the game with a larger score.

1914 Dr. G. Randolph Manning — USFA president Dr. G. Randolph Manning and many other dignitaries were in attendance for the inaugural National Challenge Cup Final.

With just minutes remaining, and extra time looming, the Celtic defense finally gave way. Bob Millar once again started the action that would lead to the winning goal, sending in a high overhead shot into the goal area. James Ford then leapt high into the air, driving the ball headlong past Mather and into the US soccer history books.

For the last two minutes Celtic threw all their men forward in a desperate bid to net the equalizer, but their weary legs were too much to overcome. In the end, Brooklyn Celtic left the field knowing the better team had won.

The Pawtucket Times singled out Bob Millar, who would be inducted into the US Soccer Hall of Fame in its inaugural class of 1950, as the most instrumental player in the game. Millar’s actions directly set up both Field Club goals, as well as being involved in nearly every important moment of the game.

Coverage of the contest was better in the New England region. The Pawtucket Times allowed for an entire column to be devoted to the game, running from top to bottom of the page. The Boston Herald and Providence Evening Tribune also devoted numerous paragraphs to describing the action. Perhaps surprisingly, most New York area papers provided small accounts of the game. The largest of which was from the Brooklyn Daily Eagle, which gave it four paragraphs. Other papers, like the New York Sun, Tribune, Press and New York Times featured only basic coverage of the game.

bob-millar-1914 — Pawtucket Times: “Bob Millar: Brooklyn Field Club forward whose sterling plays dazzled rivals”

EPILOGUE

In the years after the historic contest, each club went on to drastically different fortunes, even though each were gone within a few short years. Brooklyn Celtic had another banner year in 1915, winning the New York State Amateur Football League again, as well as reaching the finals of both the American Cup and National Challenge Cup. They continued their dominance of the NYSAFL in 1916 and 1917, taking their run of league titles to five in a row stretching back to 1913.

Suddenly on September 9, 1917, it was announced the club was going to pull out of all competitions due to the fact that almost all of their players had been drafted into service for World War I. The New York Sun noted that McKenna and O’Halloran were the only players from the first team available for games. Brooklyn Celtic’s final National Challenge Cup game was a 3-1 loss in the Second Round of the 1916 tournament to the new juggernaut of American soccer, Bethlehem Steel.

The name would return in the 1930s with an American Soccer League team. The new Celtics reached the semifinals of the Challenge Cup in 1936 and won the championship in 1939, before folding for good in 1942.

After losing Bob Millar, Neil Clark and James Ford to Bethlehem Steel for the 1914-15 season, Brooklyn Field Club went into a sharp decline. The club finished the 1914/15 season in the middle of the NAFL with a 5-6-3 record, and were ousted from the Challenge Cup in the Second Round by Paterson Rangers. The 1915/16 season was more of the same for Field Club, finishing middle of the pack again in the NAFL, and elimination from National Challenge Cup in the First Round by Yonkers FC.

The team came to a quiet end in the fall of 1916. After playing only one game in the NAFL, an 11-1 loss to New York FC, the team disbanded. Their final mark on the National Challenge Cup was a forfeit loss to Interborough Rapid Transit Strollers in the opening round of the 1917 tournament.

1914 National Challenge Cup Final
Brooklyn Field Club 2-1 Brooklyn Celtic
May 16, 1914 – Coates Field – Pawtucket, Rhode Island

Scoring Summary

Field Club: Percy Adamson (Unassisted) – 3rd min.
Celtic: Thomas Campion (PK) – 27th min.
Field Club: James Ford (Bob Millar) – 87th min.

Brooklyn Field Club: Haughie, Hynds, Charles Drinkwater, H.W. Matthews,Neil Clark, Nichols, James Ford, George Knowles, Percy Adamson, Robert Millar, Henry Shanholdt

Brooklyn Celtic – Frank Mather, James Robertson, Andrew Robertson, David Flanagan, Frank O’Hara, Hugh Kelly, Albert Lonie, Thomas Campion, Roddy O’Halloran, McGreevey, Patrick Butler

Support TheCup.us and its coverage of the US Open Cup by purchasing a "We Want The Cup" shirt in your team's colors. Visit THECUP.US SHOP — Support TheCup.us and its coverage of the US Open Cup by purchasing a “We Want The Cup” shirt in your team’s colors. Visit THECUP.US SHOP

Attendance: 10,000
Referee: Charles E. Creighton | Linesmen: Hamilton Handling, Charles Taylor

Road to the National Challenge Cup Final

Brooklyn Celtic
Round 1: Bye
Round 2: 6-0 win vs. Hollywood Inn
Round 3: 5-0 win vs. Babcock & Wilcox
Quarterfinals: 2-0 win vs. Columbia Oval
Semifinals: 6-2 win vs. Niagara Falls Rangers

Brooklyn Celtic tournament goal scorers: Roddy O’Hallaran 7, Albert Lonie 5, Thomas Campion 4, Mike King 3, McQueen 1

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
Semifinals: 2-1 win vs. New Bedford FC

Brooklyn Field Club tournament goal scorers: Bob Millar 6, Harry Shanholt 2, Percy Adamson 1, Charles Drinkwater 1, Coward 1, Hynds 1, Neil Clark 1, Slade 1, James Ford 1

1914 Dewar Trophy (Spaulding) — The Dewar Trophy

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

The First Cup: By boat or by train, Brooklyn Field Club, Brooklyn Celtic prepare for inaugural National Challenge Cup Final

May 14, 2013 by Chuck Nolan Jr.

Links to the full series are located at the bottom of this story.

Brooklyn Field Club started their journey to the 1914 National Challenge Cup final on Nov. 2, 1913 with a easy 3-0 first round victory over Interborough Rapid Transit Strollers of the Metropolitan & District Amateur League. Another 3-0 victory followed in the next round on December 21, this time over fellow New York State Amateur Football League members Brooklyn Rangers.

Field Club’s first real test in the tournament came on January 25, 1914, a 1-0 win over Bethlehem FC. Bethlehem later protested the game on the grounds that some of Brooklyn’s players were not eligible to play, as well as the fact that the field Club team was a half hour late arriving in the field to start the game. The USFA ruled in favor of Brooklyn Field Club and things went back to being a bit more comfortable with a 4-1 win in the quarterfinals over Yonkers FC, a club that Brooklyn Celtic were battling with for the top spot in the NYSAFL.

The semifinal contest with New Bedford FC, at Coates Field in Pawtucket, RI, was perhaps the fiercest test for the Field Club eleven. A fight between Neil Clark and New Bedford’s Chadwick near the end of the first half left both teams to play with ten men. Robert Millar scored both goals for Brooklyn to book a trip back to Pawtucket for the Final.

Brooklyn Celtic had a somewhat easier and quieter road to the 1914 final. With a bye through the first round, Celtic cruised to 6-0 and 5-0 wins over Hollywood Inn and Babcock & Wilcox. The quarterfinals brought a more challenging game with fellow NYSAFL members Columbia Oval, but Celtic came out 2-0 victors. The semifinals brought a lopsided 6-2 victory over Niagara Falls Rangers, though the club from Northwest New York were able to score the first goals against Celtic in the competition.

Heading into the final, both clubs were on top of their respective leagues. Field Club held the top spot in the National Association Football League , three points clear of West Hudson, who were league champions in 1912 and 1913. Although league games were still scheduled after the cup final, Brooklyn was declared the champions when the remaining games against clubs from New Jersey could not be played due to those clubs losing their grounds.

Support TheCup.us and its coverage of the US Open Cup by purchasing a "Champions" shirt, honoring the five clubs from the pre-Modern Era (1914-1994) to win four or more US Open Cup titles. Visit THECUP.US SHOP — Support TheCup.us and its coverage of the US Open Cup by purchasing a “Champions” shirt, honoring the five clubs from the pre-Modern Era (1914-1994) to win four or more US Open Cup titles. Visit THECUP.US SHOP

The Celtics were in an even closer race in the New York State Amateur Football League. Less than a month prior to the final, Celtic and Yonkers FC were tied atop the league table with 21 points each. Celtic finished their league schedule on June 6 with a 6-0 thrashing of Columbia Oval, thus giving them the league championship by two points over Yonkers with a 15-0-1 record. Yonkers’ only loss of the season came at the hands of Celtic.

Yonkers was also the team on the losing end of another Celtic trophy triumph that season, a 2-1 Celtic victory in the Southern New York State Cup. Celtic did not fare as well in the American Football, Association Cup, falling to Philadelphia’s Hibernian 7-1 in the second round. Field Club did not find success in the AFA Cup either, only making it one round further before dropping a 3-1 decision to Tacony FC, also of Philadelphia. The AFA Cup was a competition that was restricted to teams in the Northeast that was first launched in 1885. Bethlehem FC were the winners of that tournament in 1914.

All told, Brooklyn Field Club finished the 1913-14 season 24-1-2 in all competitions, with 81 goals scored and 23 goals allowed. Celtic finished with a 23-2-2 combined record, scoring 108 times while conceding 24 goals.

The two clubs met one other time during the 1913-14 season, and it was completely by accident. On March 21, 1914, Field Club was to play West Hudson in a league game at the Marquette Oval, but the game was called off due to the poor condition of the playing field. Celtic were also set to play a league game, but Hollywood Inn did not show due to bad weather. This led to an impromptu match between the two teams, which Celtic came out 2-0 victors behind goals from Roddy O’Hallaran and Mike King. Field Club would later claim that some of their better players were unavailable for the game, seemingly trying to save face after losing to an amateur squad.

In the days leading up to the Final, the Pawtucket Times reported that once Celtic learned that Field Club were traveling to Pawtucket by boat, the Celtics changed their plans, electing to travel by train. The Times also reported that over 200 fans were expected from New Bedford, whose team was defeated by Field Club in the semifinals. It was also reported that the USFA had made arrangements to have “200 feet of moving pictures” taken of the match.

The Pawtucket Times view of the match was as follows:

“Bob Millar will bear close watching, for he is likely to run wild in the vicinity of the Celts’ goal. Shanholt and Adamson are also dangerous men and there is a lot of drive to their kicks. In their (field Club) lineup there are individual stars whom experts declare would shine in matches across the water. The Celtic team is said to be remarkably well balanced and to have the short passing game down to a science.”

The championship game was scheduled to be played on May 16, 1914.

Road to the National Challenge Cup Final

Brooklyn Celtic
Round 1: Bye
Round 2: 6-0 win vs. Hollywood Inn
Round 3: 5-0 win vs. Babcock & Wilcox
Quarterfinals: 2-0 win vs. Columbia Oval
Semifinals: 6-2 win vs. Niagara Falls Rangers

Brooklyn Celtic tournament goal scorers: Roddy O’Hallaran 7, Albert Lonie 5, Thomas Campion 3, Mike King 3, McQueen 1

Brooklyn Field Club tournament goal scorers: Robert Millar 5, Harry Shanholt 2, Charles Drinkwater 1, Coward 1, Hynds 1, Neil Clark 1, Slade 1, James Ford 1

THE FIRST CUP SERIES (THECUP.US)
A detailed look back at the 1913/1914 National Challenge Cup

The First Cup: Brooklyn Field Club edge New Bedford FC to reach inaugural National Challenge Cup Final (April 18, 1914)

April 18, 2013 by Chuck Nolan Jr.

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.

1914 New Bedford FC — New Bedford FC during the 1913/14 season.

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

The First Cup: Brooklyn Field Club defeat ‘cup holders’ Yonkers FC to reach Challenge Cup Semifinals (March 28, 1914)

March 28, 2013 by Chuck Nolan Jr.

Links to the full series are located at the bottom of this story.

The Brooklyn Field Club ousted Yonkers FC 4-1 at Manhattan Field to reach the semifinals of the inaugural National Challenge Cup.

Yonkers were the holders of the Dewar Trophy, as they had been awarded it for winning the American Amateur Football Association Cup in 1913. It was the one and only time the Dewar trophy was awarded for a competition other than the National Challenge Cup.

The New York Tribune reported that despite a steady all-day rain, the Manhattan Field pitch held up rather well. The midfield stayed in good shape, and the only muddy areas were at the boundary lines.

Yonkers drew first blood 20 minutes into the game. Young, the inside left for Yonkers, sent a long, low shot past Field Club goalkeeper Pennell. Five minutes before halftime.

Brooklyn equalized with a somewhat controversial goal. Neil Clark, with what was described by the Tribune as a “lucky reach of his foot”, sent the ball just past the Yonkers goal line. While the goal seemed somewhat doubtful, referee Charles Creighton allowed it to stand and the score was tied 1-1 heading into the break.

Soon after the second half began, Robert Millar received a nice pass from George Knowles and gave the Field Club a 2-1 lead. Millar began the run-up for the third goal with a long pass to Percy Adamson, who in turn took the ball up field and sent it in to James Ford for a 3-1 advantage.

With just 10 minutes remaining Slade added the fourth and final goal.

The Tribune noted Millar, Hinds and Charles Drinkwater as standout players for Field Club, while Porter, Kerr, McHollan and Dickson were noted stood out for the losing side.

Path to the Quarterfinals

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

Yonkers FC
Round 1: Bye
Round 2: 3-0 win vs. Fulton AC
Round 3: 3-1 win vs. New York Celtic*
* Referee ended the match with 10 minutes remaining (Sent off player refused to leave)

1913/14 National Challenge Cup Quarterfinals
Brooklyn Field Club 4:1 Yonkers FC

Scoring Summary
Yonkers: Young – 20th min.
Brooklyn: Neil Clark – 40th min.
Brooklyn: Robert Millar (George Knowles) – early 2nd half
Brooklyn: James Ford – 2nd half
Brooklyn: Slade – 80th min.

Lineups

Brooklyn: Pennell, Hinds, Charles Drinkwater, H.W. Matthews, Neil Clark, Nichols, James Ford, George Knowles, Percy Adamson, Robert Millar, Slad

Yonkers: Porter, Dearn, Kydd, Kerr, McKenzie, Dennison, McHollan, Dickson, Petri, Young, Dick

Referee: Charles E. Creighton | Linesmen – Clark, Craig

THE FIRST CUP SERIES (THECUP.US)
A detailed look back at the 1913/1914 National Challenge Cup

The First Cup: Bethlehem FC’s protest denied as Quarterfinal draw announced (Feb. 16, 1914)

February 16, 2013 by Chuck Nolan Jr.

1914 Bethlehem FC — Bethlehem FC from the 1913/14 season.

Links to the full series are located at the bottom of this story.

The United States Football Association denied the protest put forth by the Bethlehem FC over their 1-0 loss to Brooklyn Field Club in the third round.

Bethlehem FC, who became Bethlehem Steel FC the following season, submitted a laundry list of complaints back on Jan. 30 including that Brooklyn was over a half-hour late to appear on the field. Bethlehem’s argument was that referee Charles E. Creighton should have either forfeited to Bethlehem or started the match before the Field Club team came out.

The rest of the protest centered on a number of players Bethlehem felt should not have been eligible to play. Bethlehem contended that H.H. Shanhold and H. Hynds should have been ineligible because they still had a case pending against them from an American Football Association cup game for accepting payment as amateur players.

Bethlehem also questioned Hinds’ eligibility on the grounds that he never signed a National Challenge Cup form, as well as goalkeeper W. Haughtie, whom Bethlehem claimed was not on the roster received from Brooklyn before the game.

After investigating the allegations, the USFA ruled in favor of the Brooklyn Field club and announced the draw for the round of eight:

Support TheCup.us and its coverage of the US Open Cup by purchasing a "US Open Cup Champions" shirt which celebrates the five teams with the most titles (pre-Modern Era). Visit THECUP.US SHOP — Support TheCup.us and its coverage of the US Open Cup by purchasing a “US Open Cup Champions” shirt which celebrates the five teams with the most titles (pre-Modern Era). Visit THECUP.US SHOP

New Bedford FC at Peabody FC (Philadelphia)
Columbia Oval at Brooklyn Celtics
Yonkers FC at Brooklyn Field Club
Pullman FC or Hyde Park Blues at Niagara Falls Rangers

There was just one third round match yet to be played as Pullman FC and Hyde Park Blues were delayed for weeks due to severe weather in Chicago. The game would not be played until March 8, 1914.

THE FIRST CUP SERIES (THECUP.US)
A detailed look back at the 1913/1914 National Challenge Cup

The First Cup: Bethlehem FC files lengthy protest over loss to Brooklyn Field Club (Jan. 30, 1914)

January 30, 2013 by Chuck Nolan Jr.

Links to the full series are located at the bottom of this story.

It was announced today in the Philadelphia Inquirer that Bethlehem FC was protesting their 1-0 third round loss to Brooklyn Field Club.

In the protest filed by Bethlehem manager Trand, a number of objections were brought up. First, Brooklyn was over a half-hour late to appear on the field. Bethlehem’s argument was that referee Charles E. Creighton should have either forfeited to Bethlehem or started the match before the Field Club team came out.

Bethlehem, who became Bethlehem Steel FC the following season, also questioned Hinds’ eligibility on the grounds that he never signed a National Challenge Cup form, as well as goalkeeper W. Haughtie, whom Bethlehem claimed was not on the roster received from Brooklyn before the game.

The third round game between St. George and Peabody was forfeited to Peabody on the grounds that St. George could not put together a strong enough team to travel to Philadelphia. The game was originally scheduled for Jan. 24, but the grounds were deemed unplayable.

THE FIRST CUP SERIES (THECUP.US)
A detailed look back at the 1913/1914 National Challenge Cup

The First Cup: Brooklyn Field Club, Columbia Oval join the Quarterfinals (Jan. 25, 1914)

January 25, 2013 by Chuck Nolan Jr.

Links to the full series are located at the bottom of this story.

Two more teams advanced to the round of eight in the inaugural National Challenge Cup on this day as Brooklyn Field Club ousted Bethlehem FC by a single goal, and Columbia Oval knocked off the unbeaten Alley Boys 2-1.

1914 Columbia Oval — Columbia Oval from the 1913/14 season

At Marquette Oval in Brooklyn, the Field Club snuck by the Allied League-leading Bethlehem FC, 1-0. After a scoreless first half, Brooklyn was able to hold back many offensive attacks by Bethlehem, thanks to standout defensive work from Drinkwater and Nichols.

After a Field Club corner kick, a fierce scrum formed in the Bethlehem goalmouth. From there, Miller sent a shot toward goal only to be stopped by Bethlehem’s Lewis, who was called for a hand ball. Miller stepped up to take the penalty, which was initially stopped by goalkeeper Scafe, who dropped the ball allowing Hynd to pounce on it and score the only goal of the game.

Elsewhere, in front of several thousand spectators at Lennox Oval in Manhattan, Columbia Oval pulled off an upset in knocking off the unbeaten Alley Boys 2-1.

The score was 1-1 at halftime on goals from J. Toal of Columbia and the Alley Boys’ Costello. Wollard scored the game winner for Columbia Oval in the second half. At the time Alley Boys were undefeated over 12 games at that point of the 1913-14 season.

Note: Bethlehem FC is the same club that later became Bethlehem Steel FC the following season.

1913/14 National Challenge Cup – Third Round
Jan. 25, 1913

Brooklyn Field Club 1:0 Bethlehem FC
Marquette Oval – Brooklyn, NY

Scoring Summary
Brooklyn: Hynd – 2nd half

Lineups

Brooklyn: Haughie, Hynd, Drinkwater, Mathews, Clark, Nichols, Ford, Black, Slade, Miller, Shanholt

Bethlehem: Scafe, McKelvey, Peacock, Stewart, Morrison, Lawler, Galbraith, Lewis, Lance, Donaghy, Fleming

Referee: CE Creighton | Linesman: J. Williams, H. Thompson

Columbia Oval 2:1 Alley Boys FC
Lenox Oval – Manhattan, NY

Scoring Summary
Columbia: J. Toal – 1st half
Alley Boys: Costello – 1st half
Columbia: Wollard – 2nd half

Lineups

Columbia: Hopkins, Harper, F. Maskell, Ellis, Holbrook, Blatchford, Pierson, E. Maskell, Lord, Woollard, J. Toal

Alley Boys: Dinkle, Coogan, Ellant, Short, McMahon, Glynn, Welsh, Costello, Myers, O’Rourke, Briely

Referee: J. Erskine | Linesmen: C. Byers, D. Andrews

THE FIRST CUP SERIES (THECUP.US)
A detailed look back at the 1913/1914 National Challenge Cup

The First Cup: Third time’s the charm for St. George FC as Round 2 comes to a close (Dec. 21, 1913)

December 21, 2012 by Chuck Nolan Jr.

Links to the full series are located at the bottom of this story.

On Dec. 21, 1913, the second round of the 1913-14 National Challenge Cup came to a close with four games in Detroit, New York and New Jersey.

In the lone game that was not a replay, it was a Brooklyn derby with the Brooklyn Field Club puting down the Rangers by a 3-0 score at Marquette Oval in Brooklyn. The Field Club team, who at the time of the game were 5-0-0 in National Association Football League play, found the Rangers club to be no trouble at all. The first of Robert Millar’s two goals came after twenty minutes, and his second came just two minutes into the second half. Five minutes later Millar assisted on the final goal for the Field Club, as he centered a long pass to goal scorer Charles Drinkwater.

1914 St. George — St. George FC from the 1913/14 season

Along with teammate Harry H. Shanholt, Robert Millar had the distinction of being selected to represent the NAFL in the annual New Years Day game against the New York State Amateur Football League.

The win set up the Field Club to host Bethlehem FC in the third round, which would become one of the more anticipated matches of the inaugural tournament.

After playing to a scoreless draw on Nov. 30, and a 1-1 stalemate on Dec. 14, Hudson United and St. George FC finally settled their second round struggle at Manhattan Field, with St. George coming out on top 2-1.

St. George took a 1-0 lead in the first half thanks to a penalty kick converted by Kelly. Hudson United drew level on a goal from Brennan. Barrett gave the lead back to St. George in the second half, and they managed to hold on and avoid another replay. St. George will face Peabody FC from Philadelphia’s Allied American Football League in the third round.

In Harrison, New Jersey, the Alley Boys FC took their second round replay with a convincing 4-0 win over West Hudson Juniors. The Alley Boys were in the middle of a fantastic season in which they won the New Jersey State Amateur Football League with a 22-0-0 record, finishing nine points ahead of second place Babcock & Wilcox.

1914 Packard FC — Detroit’s Packard FC from the 1913/14 season.

In the final replay game of the day, Packard FC triumphed over Roses FC 2-1 after extra time in a Detroit derby.

In front of 800 spectators, referee Garrett O’Keefe whistled to start the game, and from the beginning both ends of the field saw action. At the fifteen minute mark Roses won a corner kick when Stead cleared the ball for Packard out of the goal area. Smith delivered a perfect kick from which Horton scored the opening goal for Roses.

Packard wasted no time in scoring the equalizing goal, rushing the ball down the field from the ensuing kickoff. During a battle for the ball on the left side of the penalty area, a foul was called on one of the fullbacks for Roses, which resulted in a penalty kick being awarded to Packard. Reid sent his shot high into the corner of the goal to tie the game 1-1, which is where the first half eventually finished.

At the start of the second half, Roses nearly took the lead when right halfback Wink dribbled past three Packard defenders, only to send his shot over the crossbar. A few minutes later Packard won a corner kick but failed to convert.

After some fine passing between Miller and Horton, Roses won a corner which was cleared by Stead. Roses defense, anchored by goalkeeper Stansfield, thwarted the remaining attacks by Packard, and full time ended with the score still knotted at 1-1.

Just five minutes into extra time, Sutherland worked the ball down the field and after beating a Roses defender, fired a fast low shot past Roses’ goalkeeper Stevenson for what would eventually be the winning goal. Packard will host either MacNaughton Rangers of Niagara Falls Rangers in the third round. The USFA had yet to officially decide if a replay was in order following Niagara Falls protest of their 1-0 loss to MacNaughton back on Nov. 30.

(See the standings for the National Association Football League to get a sense of where some of these teams were in league play)

1913/14 National Challenge Cup – Second Round
Dec. 14, 1913

Packard FC 2:1 (AET) Roses FC
Packard Park – Detroit, Michigan

Scoring Summary
Roses: Horton (Smith) – 15th minute
Packard: Reid (PK) – 1st half
Packard: Sutherland – 95th minute

Lineups
Packard: Stevenson, Stead, Reed, Mair, H. Sutherland, Stewart, Ramsay, G. Miller, Fraser, Murphy, Meldrum
Roses: Standfield, G. Cowan, Morgan, Wink, Henderson, Moore, Sutherland, Shankland, Horton, J. Miller

Referee: Garrett O’Keefe | Linesmen: Leech, Ferguson | Attendance: 800

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Brooklyn FC 3:0 Brooklyn Rangers
Marquette Oval – Brooklyn, New York

Scoring Summary
Brooklyn FC: Robert Millar – 20th minute
Brooklyn FC: Robert Millar – 47th minute
Brooklyn FC: Charles Drinkwater (Robert Millar) – 53rd minute

Lineups
Brooklyn FC: Pennell, Quinlan, Hynd, Mathews, Nichols, Gallow, Ford, H. Shanholt, Charles Drinkwater, Robert Miller, H.H. Shanholt
Rangers: McLeod, Gray, Marshall, Ross, Bell, Thompson, Cull, Liddie, McBride, McChesnie, Wallace

Referee: Charles Creighton | Linesme: J. Burrows, H. Ross

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St. George FC 2:1 Hudson United FC (2nd replay)
Manhattan Field – Manhattan, New York

Scoring Summary
St. George: Kelly (PK), Barrett
Hudson: Brennan

Lineups
St. George: Irving, Kelly, Jackson, Molyneaux, Garland, Durney, Grant, Barrett, E. Newman, Dunhavin, Finley
Hudson: Anthony, Bone, Sharrock, Cusack, Hopper, Longhurst, Swan, Hassall, Brett, Brennan, Buckle

Referee: H. Erskine | Linesmen: Adams, Ryan

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Alley Boys FC 4:0 West Hudson Juniors
Harrison, New Jersey

Scoring Summary
N/A

Lineups
N/A

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National Association Football League Standings (as of 12/22/1913)

	W-L-T	PTS
West Hudson FC	6-0-1	13
Brooklyn Field Club	5-0-0	10
Scottish-American FC	3-1-1	7
Clan McDonald	3-2-1	7
Paterson Rangers	2-1-3	7
True Blues	2-2-1	5
Wilberforce	2-3-1	5
Newark FC	2-4-1	5
Jersey AC	1-2-2	4
Caledonians	1-4-1	3
St. George FC	1-4-1	3
Bronx United	0-4-1	1

THE FIRST CUP SERIES (THECUP.US)
A detailed look back at the 1913/1914 National Challenge Cup

The First Cup: Brooklyn Field Club begins their journey as Round 1 concludes (Nov. 2, 1913)

November 4, 2012 by Chuck Nolan Jr.

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.

November 2, 1913

The opening round of the inaugural National Challenge Cup came to a close on Sunday, Nov. 2 with five games that took place in New York and New Jersey.

The 1913/14 tournament was very special for Brooklyn Field Club and they began their journey through the competition with a 3-0 win over Interborough Rapid Transit (IRT) Strollers. Other Round 1 winners included Niagara Falls Rangers, German FC, Alley Boys FC, and the New Jersey club Babcock & Wilcox.

Entering the tournament with a six-game winning streak, the Brooklyn Field Club rolled over the IRT Strollers 3-0 at Hedley Field in Brooklyn in Round 1. At no time was the result in doubt, as Harry Shanholdt scored twice for the winners, and Coward added another. After the game, it was announced that Brooklyn’s win streak was officially entact as their victory last week over Clan McDonald was upheld, after a protest was filed by the losing club.

Meanwhile, over in Harrison, NJ, Alley Boys FC overwhelmed the Jersey Blues, 8-5. The game was out of reach by the halftime break as the Alley Boys held a comfortable 7-0 lead after 45 minutes. The Blues didn’t give up, as they fought back to score five goals in the second half, but ultimately fell short.

Four goals by A. Vander Weghe led the way for German FC in a dominant 5-0 win over Cameron FC. The game was played at the Columbus Oval in Manhattan. Play was give-and-take in the early stages of the game until the 22nd minute, when Mannborg broke through the Cameron backfield and passed to A. Vander Weghe for the first goal. Vander Weghe struck again eight minutes later for a 2-0 halftime lead.

Soon after the second half began it was clear that German FC were the superior team, repeatedly breaking through the Cameron backfield. Vander Weghe scored twice more with the help of Mannborg, who himself scored to bring the final score to 5-0 in favor of the Germans. Despite the five goals, Cameron goalkeeper Hallwell played a fine game, preventing things from really getting out of hand.

1914 Babcock & Wilcox — Babcock & Wilcox

After the game, the winners were taken to reception at the Café Bismarck, where each team member was awarded a silver medal by W.S. Esling, one of the officers of the German Football Club.

Babcock & Wilcox, representing the New Jersey State Amateur Soccer League, defeated the Cowboy FC 2-0 in Bayonne, NJ. B & W could not capitalize on numerous chances early on, leaving the first half scoreless between the two clubs.

In the second half the Boilermakers found their stride and put two past the Cowboy defense. The first was a brilliant shot from Stewart from the outside right, followed by Wright for the second goal.

The other four games that took place on Nov. 2 were in and around New York City area. The fifth game took place in Buffalo, NY where the Niagara Falls Rangers demolished the Corinthians of Buffalo 6-1 to advance to Round 2. Despite fielding four players from the Buffalo’s Rangers club, the Corinthians did not stand a chance against the stronger Niagara Falls side.

1914 Niagara Falls Rangers — Niagara Falls Rangers

Rangers struck first after just three minutes as Kemp gave up a chance to score by passing to a wide open Wallace, who had a straight shot into the back of the net. At the 30-minute mark Rangers lead was doubled when Cornithians’ Cessford scored an own goal when trying to clear the ball with a header.

The Cornthians showed a bit of life after the accidental score seven minutes later. After forcing Milnes to save a couple shots on goal, Denson scored off a corner kick from Proctor. Just before the break Murphy pushed the lead back to two goals for Rangers when he scored on an assist from Kemp.

Soon after the restart Wallace played provider, assisting on Harper’s goal in the 47th minute. On the fifth Rangers goal, the Corinthian back line attempted an offside trap with Wallace, but it was unsuccessful as Harper’s shot was fumbled by Kohlert, and Wallace pounced on the ball for his second goal of the day. Lumsden finished the scoring for Rangers by knocking home a corner kick from Wallace, who finished with two assists to go along with his two goals.

1913/14 National Challenge Cup – First Round
Games of Nov. 2, 1913

Brooklyn Field Club 3:0 IRT Strollers
Nov. 2, 1913 – Hedley Field – Brooklyn, NY

Scoring Summary
Brooklyn: Harry Shandholt (2), Coward

Lineups
Brooklyn: Haughie, Hinds, Bryson, Matthews, Adamson, H. Agar, N. Agar, Nichols, Shanholdt, Coward, Ford
IRT: Byrne, C. Coull, Dahill, Traynor, Crogan, W. Coull, J. Stuart, McGuire, Gormeny, W. Stuart, Reilly

Referee: W. Hollywood | Linesmen: W. Gallow, J. Mulligan

German FC 5:0 Cameron FC
Nov. 2, 1913 – Columbus Oval – Manhattan, NY

Scoring Summary
GFC: A. Vander Weghe (Mannborg) – 22nd minute
GFC: A. Vander Weghe – 30th minute
GFC: A. Vander Weghe – 2nd half
GFC: A. Vander Weghe – 2nd half
GFC: Mannborg – 2nd half

Lineups
German FC: Heisler, Glaser, Richardson, Reichwagon, Hager, Meyer, M. Vander Weghe, A. Vander Weghe, Mannborg, Fitzpatrick, W. Mmeyer
Cameron FC: Hallwell, Shaw, J. Isaac, Stahl, Bruce, Glass, Sinclair, E. Pickford, W. Isaac, G. pickford, Goodman

Referee – Charles Creighton | Linesmen – J. Finsten, J. Snook

Babcock & Wilcox FC 2:0 Cowboy FC
Nov. 2, 1913 – Bayonne, NJ

Scoring Summary
BW: Stewart – 2nd half
BW: Wright – 2nd half

Lineups
Babcock & Wilcox: Kesson, Geibel, Harding, Stenger, Davidson, Dick, Stewart, Leggett, Wright, Rogers, Sweeney
Cowboy FC: Reiman, Gedditte, Ortman, Alderton, Schmidt, Crossman, Lowe, Rosenbower, Koelsch, Dean, Meisch

Referee: Andrew Laurie

Corinthians (Buffalo) 1-6 Niagara Falls Rangers FC
Nov. 2, 1913 – Buffalo, NY

Scoring Summary
Rangers: Wallace (Kemp) – 3rd minute
Rangers: Own goal (Cessford) – 30th minute
Corinthians: Denson (Proctor) – 37th minute
Rangers: Murphy (Kemp) – 43rd minute
Rangers: Harper (Wallace) – 47th minute
Rangers: Wallace (Unassisted) – 2nd half
Rangers: Lumsden (Wallace) – 2nd half

Lineups
Corinthians: Kohlert, Krafft, Cessford, McLean, McLachlan, Denson, Proctor, McPherson, Lynch, Cullen, McCabe
Rangers: Milnes, Clarkson, Hoyle, Pearce, Lumsden, Parks, Harper, Murphy, Forrest, Kemp, Wallace

Referee: H. Keefe

THE FIRST CUP SERIES (THECUP.US)
A detailed look back at the 1913/1914 National Challenge Cup

Notable Semifinal matches in US Open Cup history

August 27, 2011 by

4/18/14 Pawtucket, Rhode Island
New Bedford FC 1-2 Brooklyn Field Club

New Bedford – Beckton 24’
Brooklyn – Robert Millar (2)
Sent Off – Clark (Brooklyn) 34’, Chadwick (New Bedford) 34’

4/26/14 Olympic Park – Paterson, New Jersey
Brooklyn Celtic 6-2 Niagara Falls Rangers (3-0 HT)

Celtic – O’Hallaran (3), King (Campion), Campion, Lonie
Rangers – Kemp, Wallace

The very first Semifinal round of the US Open Cup (then called the National Challenge Cup) saw a pair of Brooklyn teams reach the Final. On April 18, the Brooklyn Field Club, which finished first in the National Association Football League, defeated New Bedford FC 2-1, on two goals by Hall of Famer Robert Millar, after Beckton had given the New Englanders a 1-0 lead. Both teams played much of the game with ten men each, after Clark of Brooklyn and Chadwick of New Bedford were sent off in the 35th minute for fighting.

In the other Semifinal on April 26 Brooklyn Celtic, eventual winners of the New York State Amateur Foot Ball League, easily defeated the Niagara Falls Rangers 6-2. O’Hallaran lead the way for Celtic with a hat trick.

3/17/29 Sportsman’s Park – St. Louis, Missouri
Madison Kennels 7-4 Sparta A & BA

Madison – Bud Grennon (3), Dinty Moore, Worden, Oster, Eddie Flavin
Sparta – Barger (2), Kratochvil, Oster (og)

St. Louis’s Madison Kennels and Chicago’s Sparta A & BA combine for 11 goals, setting a new Semifinal mark that would later be equaled in 1962. Madison’s Bud Grennon led all scorers with three goals, while Barger led Sparta with two.

3/16/30 Polo Grounds – New York, New York
Bethlehem Steel 1-1 Fall River Marksmen (Match Report)

Bethlehem – Sandy Dick
Fall River – Alex McNab 82’

Bethlehem – Fraser, Finlayson, McGregor, Reid, Carnihan, Pitt, Gillespie, Jaap, Stark, Massie, Dick

Marksmen – Reder, McGill, R. McAuley, McPherson, Priestley, Ballantyne, McNab, Gonsalves (Nilsen), Patenaude, J. McAuley, White

Att – 17,000 Referee – C. E. Creighton. Linesmen – F. DeGroof and M. Hutchinson

3/23/30 Battery Park – New Bedford, Massachusetts
(replay) Fall River Marksmen 3-2 Bethlehem Steel

Fall River – Billy Gonsalves 50’, Dave Priestley 67’, Bobby Ballantyne 71’
Bethlehem – Archie Stark 64’ 70’

Bethlehem Steel makes their final appearance in the National Challenge Cup, losing to the Fall River Marksmen 3-2 and ending the first great dynasty of the Cup. After a 1-1 draw at the Polo Grounds in New York, Fall River took the replay at New Bedford. Billy Gonsalves gave the Marksmen a 1-0 lead after 50 minutes, but Archie Stak put Bethlehem ahead with two goals in the middle of the half. Fall River snatched the lead for good on scored from Dave Priestly and Bobby Ballantine. Effects of the Great Depression forced Bethlehem Steel to stop fielding a team after 1930.

Bethlehem made the Semifinals a total of nine times from 1915-1930, including five in a row from 1915-1919, in which they reached the Final each time.

3/6/32 St. Louis, Missouri
(first leg) Stix, Baer & Fuller 3-2 Bricklayers FC

Stix – McCarthy (2), Willie McLean
Bricklayers – Lillie, Coutis

3/14/32 Sparta Field – Chicago, Illinois
(second leg) Bricklayers FC 2-0 Stix, Baer & Fuller

Bricklayers – Munro, Lillie

3/19/32 Sportsman’s Park – St. Louis, Missouri
(third leg) Stix, Baer & Fuller 1-0 Bricklayers FC

Stix – Jack O’Reilly 1’

Stix, Baer & Fuller, featuring Hall of Famers Billy Gonsalves, William Lehman, Alex McNab, Willie McLean, began their run of six straight appearances in the Open Cup Final by defeating Chicago’s Bricklayers SC over three legs in the 1932 Western Final. The team reached the 1932, 1933 & 1934 Finals under the sponsorship of Stix. Baer and Fuller, a St. Louis department store. The team switched sponsorship for the 1935 season, playing as Central Breweries. Sponsorship changed again, and the team reached the 1936 & 1937 finals under the name Shamrocks. The team finally folded after many of its players left to play for another St. Louis club, St. Patricks.

3/24/35 St. Louis, Missouri
(First leg) Central Brewery 2-1 Weiboldt Wonderbolts

4/1/35 De Paul Field – Chicago, Illinois
(Second leg) Weiboldt Wonderbolts 1-1 (aet) Central Brewery

Weibolt – Littie 28’
Central – McNab 30’

4/6/34 St. Louis, Missouri
(Second leg replay) Central Brewery 3-3 (aet) Weiboldt Wodnerbolts

4/14/35 Sparta Stadium – Chicago, Illinois
(Second leg – second replay) Weiboldt Wonderbolts 3-2(aet) Central Brewery (0-2 HT, 2-2 FT)

Weibolt – Monroe (2 PK), Hill
Central – Billy Gonsalves, Bert Patenaude

4/21/35 St. Louis, Missouri
(third leg) Central Brewery 1-0 Weiboldt Wonderbolts

Central – Bert Patenaude 68′

The longest Semifinal matchup was between Chicago’s Weiboldt Wonderbolts and Central Brewery of St. Louis. The three-leg Western Final actually lasted five games. Central won the first game 2-1 in St. Louis. The second leg in Chicago finished 1-1 after extra time. A week later in St. Louis, the second leg replay finished 3-3, meaning a second replay of the second leg would take place a week later in Chicago. That game also went to extra time, but the Wonderbolts managed to come out on top 3-2. Nearly a month after it started, the series finally ended when Central won the decisive leg 1-0.

4/23/44 Winnemac Park – Chicago, Illinois
(first leg) Viking AA 0-2 Morgan Strasser

Morgan – Elgie Grant 21′ 80′

5/7/44 Bridgeville Park – Bridgeville, Pennsylvania
(second leg) Morgan Strasser 9-0 Viking AA (Chi.) (4-0 HT)

Morgan – Aldo Donelli 15′ (Hart) n/a’ , Felix Mitchell (2), Pucker (2), Urbanic, Grant, Pietersek

The most lopsided Semifinal pairing was in 1944, when Pittsburgh’s Morgan Strasser demolished Chicago’s Viking AA 11-0 over two legs. Morgan won the first leg in Chicago 2-0, but the return leg in Bridgeville, Pennsylvania turned into a rout. Aldo Donelli, Felix Mitchell and Pucker each scored twice as Morgan ran away with a 9-0 win, a mark that still stands as the highest score by a single team in a single Semifinal game.

3/28/54 Rancho la Cienega Stadium – Los Angeles, California
Scots SC 0-1 Kutis SC
Att-4,000

The Scots SC of Los Angeles became the first team West of St. Louis to appear in a US Open Cup Semifinal, losing to Kutis SC 1-0. 1954 was also the first year teams from California participated in the US Open Cup, and the winner between Los Angeles and San Francisco went on to face the survivor between St. Louis and Chicago in the Semifinals.

6/10/62 St. Louis, Missouri
Kutis SC 5-6 (aet) San Francisco Scots 6-5

Scots – Tom Dawkins n/a’ 118′

The Scots and Kutis combine for 11 goals in the 1962 Western Final, equaling a mark set by Madison Kennels and Sparta A & BA in 1929 for the most combined goals in a single Semifinal game. Tom Dawkins scored twice for the Scots, including the winning goal with a minute left in extra time. The game was tied 3-3 after ninety minutes, and also marked the first time a club from San Francisco would reach the Open Cup Final.

3/6/71 Seattle, Washington
(1st Leg) Heidelberg Brewers (Sea.) 1-0 Yugoslav SC

3/14/71 Rancho la Cienega Stadium – Los Angeles, California
(2nd Leg) Yugoslav SC 2-0 Heidelberg Brewers

Yugoslav – Karlo Mertisek, Rade Savic

In the last two-leg Semifinal in Open Cup play, San Pedro, California’s Yugoslav SC edged out Seattle’s Heidelberg Brewers on a 2-1 aggregate.

5/27/73 Metropolitan Oval – Queens, New York
New York Greek Americans 1-3 Inter-Italia SC

NYGA – Joe Ognajac 31’
Inter – Valentino Stavole 3’, Vito Colonna 40’, Gianpietro Gasparin 41’)

Cleveland’s Inter-Italia SC halted a six-year streak of New York/New Jersey clubs appearing in the US Open Cup Final, thanks to a 3-1 victory over New York Greek Americans. Inter dominated play for the most part, and were lead by Gianpietro Gasparini, a priest by trade, who played a part in all three of Inter’s goals.

Cleveland started off right away, as Gasparini fed a pass to Valentino Stavole, who beat G-A goalkeeper Joe Canal from 15 yards out after just two minutes of play. The Greeks managed to draw the match level after 31 minutes however, as Joe Ognajac put in a header from close range. Cleveland took the lead for good just before halftime, as Vito Colonna scored in the 40th minute, and Gasparini scored just a minute later. Cleveland kept up the pressure, but missed several chances to further grow the scoreline.

6/3/79 Norton Park – St. Petersburg, Florida
H. Brooks Dodge Chargers 0-3 Brooklyn Dodgers

The St. Petersburg, Florida-based Chargers are the first team from the Southern US to make an appearance in the Semifinals of the US Open Cup. By this time the tournament was split into four regions, and only three teams entered from the southern region.

6/20/87 St. Louis Soccer Park – Fenton, Missouri
Mitre Eagles 5-4(aet) Busch SC (2-2 FT)

Eagles – John Klein 119’ (2), Eddie Kruger, Peter Klein, Andy Churlin
Busch- Steve Trittschuh 85’

St. Louis’s Busch SC tried the game at 2-2 in the 85th minute on a goal from Steve Tritschuh. The teams traded goals in extra time to make it 4-4, and John Klein sent the Eagles to the final with a 25-yard shot in the 119th minute.

6/25/94
Bavarian Leinekugel w/o McCormick Kickers

The Kickers are forced to forfeit since most of the team held tickets to a World Cup game in Orlando that fell on the same day. The team had purchased the tickets well in advance, and were assured the dates for the Open Cup would not conflict.

9/2/97 Stagg Memorial Stadium – Stockton, California
San Francisco Bay Seals 1-2 DC United

The Cinderella run of the San Francisco Bay Seals comes to an end with their Semifinal loss to DC United. The D3 Pro League Seals had upset two MLS teams (Kansas City and San Jose) on their way to becoming the only team from the third tier of US soccer to reach the Semifinals in the Professional Era (1995-present).

9/1/99 Virginia Beach Sportsplex – Virginia Beach, Virginia
Rochester Raging Rhinos 3-2 Columbus Crew

Rochester – Darren Tilley 68’, Scott Schweitzer 86’, Tom Hardy 90’
Columbus – Robert Warzycha 56’, Brian West 77’

9/1/99 Virginia Beach Sportsplex – Virginia Beach, Virginia
Colorado Rapids 3-0 Charleston Battery

Colorado – Jorge Daly Valdes 55’ 87’, Paul Bravo 82’

For the first time in Pro Era history, two non-MLS teams reach the Semifinals. Rochester’s 3-2 triumph over Columbus paved the way for the only time a lower league club would win the Open Cup title in the Pro Era. While Charleston fell 3-0 to Colorado, their run was catapulted by their famous 4-3 sudden death extra time win over DC United in the Fourth Round. Both games were played in Virginia Beach, Virginia due to the fact that they were scheduled to host the 1998 Open Cup Final, but a hurricane forced a venue change.

8/12/08 Blackbaud Stadium – Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston Battery 1-1 (aet) Seattle Sounders
Charleston advance on penalty kicks, 4-3

Charleston – Randi Patterson 32’
Seattle – Osvaldo Alonso 20’ (og)

For the only time in the Pro Era, a Semifinal match is contested between two lower league teams, ensuring the Final would feature at least one non-MLS team.

7/21/09 Starfire Sports Complex – Tukwila, Washington
Seattle Sounders FC 2:1 (aet) Houston Dynamo

The Seattle Sounders, in their inaugural season in Major League Soccer, advanced to the Final in dramatic fashion. Houston’s Ade Akinbiyi put the Dynamo up in the 32nd minute, but the home team wasn’t able to equalize until the 89th minute when Nate Jaqua sent the game into extra time. With all the momentum and the home crowd behind them at the Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila, Wash., Stephen King scored what would prove to be the game-winner in the 95th minute on an assist from Sebastien Le Toux and the club would hold on to the 2-1 lead throughout extra time, despite defender Jhon Hurtado being sent off in the 110th minute. The Sounders become the first Seattle-based team to reach the Open Cup Final since the Mitre Eagles did it in 1987.