Complete U.S. Open Cup Coverage

Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

US Open Cup, National Challenge Cup history: Year-by-year

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The Dewar Trophy
The Dewar Trophy

The National Challenge Cup was born in 1913 and crowned its first champion in 1914 (Brooklyn Field Club) and since then is the second-oldest continually operating soccer tournament in the world. With over a century of history, here are links to all of the results we have tracked down. Our list of results is a work in progress. If you are a history buff and enjoy digging through archives and tracking down historical information, send us an email. We need all the help we can get.

1913/1914
1914/1915
1915/1916
1916/1917
1917/1918
1918/1919
1919/1920
1920/1921
1921/1922
1922/1923
1923/1924
1924/1925
1925/1926
1926/1927
1927/1928
1928/1929
1929/1930
1930/1931
1931/1932
1932/1933
1933/1934
1934/1935
1935/1936
1936/1937
1937/1938
1938/1939
1939/1940
1940/1941
1941/1942
1942/1943
1943/1944
1944/1945
1945/1946
1946/1947
1947/1948
1948/1949
1949/1950
1950/1951
1951/1952
1952/1953
1953/1954
1954/1955
1955/1956
1956/1957
1957/1958
1958/1959
1959/1960
1960/1961
1961/1962
1962/1963
1963/1964
1964/1965
1965/1966
1966/1967
1967/1968
1968/1969
1969/1970
1970/1971
1972
1973
1974
1975
1976
1977
1978
1979
1980
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
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1998
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2001
2002
2003
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2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
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2019
2020

Support TheCup.us, buy #USOC2014 gear

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I’m Josh Hakala and I’m not sure if you know, I’ve been running TheCup.us since my college days 11 years ago. As a purely volunteer operation, along with my team of part-time contributors, we’ve always worked hard to give the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup the coverage the tournament deserves, from qualifying all the way to the championship game.thecup-gear

Now, with the rising popularity of the competition, the demands for better coverage have gone beyond the capabilities of our volunteer efforts. I’ve asked for donations in the past (that campaign is funding our massive website redesign), but now I’d like to give you something Red, White and Blue in return. This is sort of our own little Kickstarter campaign.

By purchasing the new #USOC2014 commemorative gear in our store, you will be helping us provide better all-around coverage of the US Open Cup. Proceeds will go toward ongoing website upgrades, expanding our coverage and preserving the history of this tournament. The new site will make the tournament even easier for fans and media to follow in the years to come.

CLICK HERE to visit our new store. If you’re not interested in picking up a shirt, but still want to support the site, we accept donations as well. Either way, we appreciate your support!

Josh Hakala
Senior Editor/Creator – TheCup.us

Over last 100 years, official name of the US Open Cup tournament largely a mystery

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USFA president Dr. G. Randolph Manning was in charge when the tournament was named the “National Challenge Cup” when it launched in 1913.

What’s in a name?

In the vast world of soccer, the names of the various championship tournaments and playoffs are fairly easy to pinpoint. For example, we know that in 1992 the European Champion Clubs’ Cup changed its name to the UEFA Champions League, and in the same year England’s First Division was re-organized and christened the Premier League.

You wouldn’t think there would be a question like this, but what exactly has the official title of the tournament currently known as the “Lamar Hunt US Open Cup” been over the years? As the 100th final is quickly approaching, the current governing body of US Soccer isn’t even quite sure.

Two things are crystal clear: the competition kicked off as the “National Challenge Cup” in October 1913, and since September 7, 1999, the official name has been the” Lamar Hunt US Open Cup,” in honor of soccer pioneer Lamar Hunt. What the ‘official’ name of the tournament has been in the 86 years prior to that has been ever changing and at times not always clear.

For the first twenty or so years, the name was pretty simple: the National Challenge Cup. However, to read the newspapers of the era you would get many different monikers for the tournament. For example, readers of The New York Times would see such names as the “U.S.F.A. Cup,” “United States Championship” or simply “National Cup.” If a newspaper had a regular soccer writer, the tournament would at least be referred to by a consistent name. Newspapers without a regular reporter for the local soccer scene were often the ones with multiple names for the Cup. A writer not very familiar with the game he was covering would tend to dole out any number of the above names.

By the late 1930s, some newspapers (Detroit, Pittsburgh and Boston, most notably) began replacing “challenge” with “open”, presumably to differentiate it from the “National Amateur Cup,” which was inaugurated in 1924. By the 1950s “National Open Cup” was widely used, although some papers held on to “National Challenge Cup” on occasion. In fact, The New York Times used the “National Challenge Cup” name well into the 1970s.

The National Soccer News, which was published from the late 1940s to the early 1970s, often used “National Challenge Cup” or “National Cups” in headlines for stories that contained news on both tournaments, but separated the two within the stories with “open” and “amateur/Simon Pure”. Even Soccer America seemed to be unable to settle on a consistent name in their early years of publication. In stories from their 1975 issues, you get the following names: “U.S. Open Cup,” “U.S. Cup,” “National Open Challenge Cup,” “United States Dewar’s Open Challenge Cup,” “Dewar’s Challenge Cup.”

MORE: Relive the inaugural National Challenge Cup with “The First Cup” series

After reading official USSF documents about the tournament, it is unclear if it ever had an ‘official’ title for decades. The switch from “Challenge” to “Open” appears to be somewhere between 1937 and 1946. In 1937, the results printed with the USFA convention report bore the heading “National Challenge Cup”, while nine years later the 1946 Convention Report listed the results as “National Open Cup.” To confuse matters even more, some tournament recaps in convention reports in the 60s alternately used “National Challenge Cup”, “National Open Cup” or “National Open Challenge Cup.” Sometimes they used one as a heading and another in the body of the report.

A 1981 press release from the USSF for the cup finals referred to the tournaments as the “USSF National Challenge (Open) Cup” and the “USSF National Amateur Challenge Cup.” Yet in typed-out brackets for the final eight that were attached to the release, it was called simply the “National Open Cup.” By 1984, Budweiser became a major sponsor of the tournaments, with all of the final fours for each cup being played at the same site. The whole event was called the “Budweiser Challenge Cups”, and the Open Cup was referred to as the “Men’s Open.”

As for the current name, as early as 1944 the name “U.S. Open Cup” was used in the Philadelphia Inquirer, and was sometimes used in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch in the 1950s. The Associated Press began using “U.S. Open Cup” in the late 50s, and was used prominently by the Cleveland Plain Dealer beginning in the 1970s. By the time the 1990s rolled around, “U.S. Open Cup” seemed to be the widespread standard, although to this date, no one has been able to uncover any proof that any formal announcement was made by the federation.

None of the current staff at the United States Soccer Federation were around prior to 2000 and none of the historians who research American soccer are able to confirm an official name for the tournament. It remains an ongoing mystery and as TheCup.us continues to do historical research in an effort to preserve the history of the tournament, the hope is that an answer can be found some day.

One thing is clear. From about 1940 to 1980, it doesn’t appear that the tournament had any kind of official name, but as long as you included “National,” “Open” or “Challenge” in the title, people knew what you were talking about.

Successful fundraising campaign ends: A heartfelt thank you to all as work begins on new-look TheCup.us

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The fundraising campaign came to a close late last night and has finished as a tremendous success. On behalf of all of us who work so hard on TheCup.us, we would like to thank not only everyone who donated, but those who spread the word and also those who offered their help to contribute to the site.

In the end, 140 people donated a grand total of $5,205, which will go a long way toward revamping TheCup.us and expanding coverage for the 100th Lamar Hunt US Open Cup and beyond.

If you missed the deadline for the Indiegogo campaign, you can show your support any time you like by clicking the donate button in this article.

Or if you can’t contribute financially, we are always looking for contributors. If you are passionate about the tournament and are a writer, a researcher, or someone who has experience in ad sales, please use this email form and let us know.

Everyone who donated (unless they wanted to remain annonymous) is listed below (Thank you!):

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USSF announces monumental format changes to 2012 US Open Cup

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Lamar Hunt US Open Cup logoUPDATE (4/26/12): TheCup.us has learned the fee structure for hosting games. All hosts will pay the USSF 15% of any gross receipts over $100,000. In addition, in Round 3, the hosts must pay the federation a $12,000 fee in advance, which increases in to $18,000 in Round 4, and $25,000 in the Quarterfinals.

The United States Soccer Federation has announced sweeping changes to the 99th edition of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, many of which confirm reports by TheCup.us. The competition will feature a Modern Professional Era (1995-present) record 64 teams, including every US-based professional club in the American soccer pyramid from Major League Soccer (16 teams), the North American Soccer League (6 teams), and USL PRO (10 teams). The remaining 32 spots will be filled by amateur clubs from the Premier Development League (16 teams), United States Adult Soccer Association (9 teams), National Premier Soccer League (6.5 teams), and US Club Soccer (0.5 team). An NPSL club will square off with a representative from US Club Soccer for a spot in the 2012 competition.

As reported by TheCup.us last week, another significant change is the elimination of the sealed bidding process for determining the host team for each round through the quarterfinals. This year, each team can apply to host each round and if both teams’ venues meet USSF’s standards, and pay the federation 15% of the gross gate receipts, then they will conduct a blind draw to determine the host. In the past, in addition to meeting USSF venue standards, teams would have to submit a financial bid, and the team that bid the most was awarded the home game. That process, a sometimes controversial method profiled in depth recently by TheCup.us, will remain in effect for just the Semifinals and the Final this year.

“USL is thrilled with the modifications made to the tournament format and structure for 2012,” said USL President Tim Holt. “Certainly, the greater level of participation by professional and amateur teams alike will attract the most attention and deservedly so; yet, just as importantly as the tournament expansion are the reforms to the determination of which teams host in each round.  This will favorably impact competitive equity and expose this special tournament to a greater variety of markets.”

Another change for 2012 will be the dates for the competition, which will start earlier and will be much more condensed than in previous years as to minimize fixture congestion, and conflicts with the CONCACAF Champions League. The match dates for the Open Cup remain scheduled for Tuesday nights to avoid conflicts with weekend-heavy league schedules. The qualifying deadline is April 29, which only really applies to the USASA, which is the only organization who still has not solidified it’s entries into this year’s tournament.

As was reported by TheCup.us, the first four rounds of the 2012 Open Cup will be fast and furious with each stage taking place on consecutive weeks. The tournament will begin on May 15, the earliest the Open Cup has begun in the Modern Pro Era, with the 32 amateur clubs (also a Modern Pro Era record) matching up in geographic fashion. The teams will be separated, like in recent years, into groups of four, with no teams from the same qualifying pool sharing a group. The winners of those games will move on to Round 2 the following week, May 22, where the 16 NASL and USL PRO clubs will enter. The week after that, on May 29, Major League Soccer will take on the Second Round winners as the Seattle Sounders will begin their quest to win an unprecedented fourth straight Open Cup title. With the number of teams, a fourth round will added and will take place June 5. The Cup hasn’t had a fourth round since a four-year run from 2003-06.

Three weeks later, the tournament will hold the Quarterfinals on June 26, followed by the Semifinals on July 10, and the Open Cup Final on either August 7 or 8. Holding the championship game in early August will mark the earliest it has been held since 1994 when Greek American AC (San Francisco) defeated Bavarian SC (Milwaukee) 3-0 on July 30.

It was not part of US Soccer’s original announcement, but was revealed in the 2012 US Open Cup handbook acquired by TheCup.us, the Third Round, Fourth Round and Quarterfinals will require a hosting fee, in addition to paying 15% of any gross gate receipts over $100,000. If both teams in a particular matchup are interested in hosting, they must meet USSF’s venue standards, and submit a check for the hosting fee for that particular round. Round 3, when Major League Soccer joins the competition, will require a fee of $12,000, which increases to $18,000 in Round 4, and then to $25,000 for the Quarterfinals. If both teams do that, then a blind draw will determine who hosts with the winner having their check deposited and the loser having their check sent back.

“Playing the tournament within a tighter period will keep the Open Cup continuously in the consciousness of American soccer fans through the summer as well as allow PDL and other amateur teams to remain intact if they were to pull off what would be a remarkable run to the Final,” said Holt, who also serves as the co-chair of the Open Cup committee. “We applaud US Soccer Federation leadership for endorsing and enabling these changes which will help further raise the credibility, visibility, and relevance of the competition.  Our USL PRO and PDL teams once again look forward to matching up against the other best soccer teams in the United States this summer.”h

With the earlier schedule, this makes it impossible for amateur clubs that depend on college players like the PDL, NPSL and US Club Soccer to hold qualifying, so as previously reported by TheCup.us, the PDL teams that will take part will be the 2011 division winners, and the runners-up. If any of the teams aren’t US-based, then the next eligible club will be taken. The list of teams who will compete for the PDL are as follows:

Central Conference
Michigan Bucks – 1st place in Great Lakes Division – record 9th appearance (9-7-1 all-time), last appearance: 2008
Chicago Fire PDL – 2nd place in Great Lakes Division – 5th appearance (6-4-0), 3rd straight appearance
Des Moines Menace – 2nd place in Heartland Division* – 6th appearance (6-5-1, 1-0 in PKs) – Last appearance: 2010
Real Colorado Foxes – 3rd place in Heartland Division * – 2nd appearance (1-1-0), 2nd straight appearance
*Canadian club Thunder Bay finished 1st

Eastern Conference
Long Island Rough Riders – 1st place in Mid Atlantic Division – 5th appearance, 3rd as a PDL team (3-5-0 all-time, 1-2-0 as a PDL team) …  Last appearance: 2010
Reading United AC – 2nd place in Mid Atlantic Division … 6th appearance, 4th as a PDL team (0-5-0 all-time, 0-3-0 as a PDL team) … 4th straight appearance (tied for the amateur record)
MPS Portland Phoenix – 1st place in Northeast Division … 1st appearance
Carolina Dynamo – 1st place in South Atlantic Division … 8th appearance, 3rd as a PDL team (10-8-0 all-time, 5-3-0 as a PDL team) … 2nd straight appearance

Southern Conference
Laredo Heat – 1st place in Mid South Division … 2nd appearance (0-0-1, 0-1 in PKs … lost to Dallas Roma FC in 2006, who went on to make their magical run) … last appearance: 2006
El Paso Patriots – 2nd place in Mid South Division … 10th appearance, 5th as a PDL team (8-7-3, 1-2 in PKs all-time, 2-3-2, 1-1 in PKs as a PDL team) … 2nd straight appearance
Mississippi Brilla – 1st place in Southeast Division … 2nd appearance (0-1-0) … last appearance: 2009
Orlando City U23s (previously Central Florida Kraze) – 2nd place Southeast Division … 5th appearance (0-4-0) … 3rd straight appearance

Western Conference
Kitsap Pumas – 1st place in Northwest Division…. 4th appearance (2-3-1, 1-0 in PKs), 4th straight appearance (Amateur record) … have qualified in every year of their existence
Portland Timbers U23s – 4th place in Northwest Division* … 1st appearance
Fresno Fuego – 1st Southwest Division … 2nd appearance (3-1-0) … last appearance: 2003 (advanced to the Fourth Round and lost to the Los Angeles Galaxy. 1 of only 3 PDL teams to ever advance beyond the Third Round)
Ventura County Fusion – 2nd Southwest Division … 3rd appearance (1-1-1, 0-1 in PKs), 3rd straight appearance
*Canadian clubs Victoria Highlanders and Vancouver Whitecaps U23s were 2nd & 3rd

The entries for the NPSL will be determined at the league annual general meeting currently being held at the NSCAA convention in Kansas City. The entry for US Club Soccer is unknown at this time.

“US Soccer is excited about the changes made to the US Open Cup,” said USSF spokesperson Neil Beuthe. “In recent years, an increasing number of teams have shown a greater commitment to participate and win the tournament, which definitely played a factor in these changes. By having professional teams and a larger field from the amateur ranks allows for more opportunities for some intriguing match-ups throughout the competition. We hope these changes will create more overall interest and excitement.”

The prize money remains the same for 2012, with the winner taking home $100,000, the runner-up receiving $50,000 and the three teams that advances the furthest among Division 2, Division 3 and amateur clubs will be awarded $10,000 each.

Sources: Alterations proposed for 2012 US Open Cup bid process

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NY Pancyprian Freedoms battle FC New York in a Second Round match in 2011 at Belson Stadium (St. John's University). According to sources, in the first two rounds, if both teams have a venue that meets USSF standards, a blind draw will determine the host.

Just a few days after publishing the article explaining the US Soccer Federation’s process of determining home games for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, TheCup.us has learned there is a possibility that the system will change next season.

According to sources, there is a proposal on the table that would eliminate the bidding process from the first two rounds of the 2012 US Open Cup and establish a flat hosting fee beginning in Round 3.

This plan is just a proposal and still must be approved by the US Open Cup committee.

The first two rounds, which are reported to take place May 15 and 22 and will feature only lower division clubs, will take into account strict minimum standards for venues where the Open Cup matches will take place. As long as both teams meet those requirements, the teams will take part in a blind draw to determine who will host. Based on an earlier TheCup.us report, the opening round will feature 32 amateur clubs, with the winners moving on to play 16 second and third division professional clubs in Round 2. As usual, the draw for the tournament will be regionally based, to minimize travel.

In addition to the venue standards, the USSF will require after Round 2 a flat fee to be eligible to host. The amount of the fee has not been finalized but is somewhere in the neighborhood of $15,000. If both teams meet the venue standards, and both pay the hosting fee, then a blind draw will take place.

The procedure will continue until the Semifinals and the Final, where the previous bidding process will remain in effect with the team that bids the most will host the game.

It is also reported that the Semifinal and Final bids must include a 15% cut of the profit earned over the total of $100,000 to USSF.

It remains to be seen if this proposal will be accepted by the US Open Cup committee, but if it is, we will know more in the coming months while the field for the 2012 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup continues to take shape.

Dollars & Cents: The controversial US Open Cup hosting bid process explained

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UPDATE: The United States Soccer Federation announced significant changes in the format of the bidding/hosting process for the US Open Cup. While the tournament will use a new system through the Quarterfinals, the process detailed in the following piece will continue to be utilized for the Semifinals and Final.

Chicago Fire's Section 8 members in Madison to support the Fire's PDL side in the Second Round of the 2011 US Open Cup. Photo: Eric Anderson, WisconsinSoccerCentral.com

Greenbacks; Cash money; the almighty buck – that is the easy answer for what ails the nation’s most historic soccer championship, the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. While the economy of the United States has been in a ditch for several years, the knowledgeable domestic soccer fans throughout the nation can attest that the tournament has suffered from economic hardship for far longer and has yet to find a financial boon. That moment could be in the near future with the growth of Major League Soccer on and off the field in the past five years in contrast to the nation’s struggles, but the question remaining is just how can that be accomplished given the current format of the tournament. A format that remains one of the most complained about issues among ardent fans.

Many fans, primarily obsessed with making everything an identical copy of the English counterparts, point directly at how the draw is conducted and hosts are determined as the focal point of the disappointment, but the issues permeate much deeper.

“I would welcome USSF to engage MLS or others in trying to come up with some of those ideas ,” said Seattle Sounders co-owner and general manager Adrian Hanauer. “The first thing is, are we going to turn this into a meaningful tournament or not? If we’re not, then let’s just kill it. If we are, then let’s make a plan. A five-year plan? A 10-year plan? Where do we want to go and how are we going to get there? As far as I know, USSF hasn’t come up with a plan. I know I haven’t seen or heard one. It’s really the biggest source of frustration. We just bump along down the road, doing the same thing. There’s a lot of things we could do, but some of them would cost money. If there was a plan in place, and USSF worked on a partnership with MLS, it could work.”

Hanauer, who also experienced the tournament as a lower division club owner for many years, is not alone amongst the MLS circles in looking at the bigger picture of what the US Open Cup needs to revise.

“I think it’s a really cool tournament,” said Real Salt Lake general manager Garth Lagerway. “It’s something that American fans will latch onto, but it’s over our heads at the club level. USSF and MLS need to sit down and try to work something out. There should be a focus on sponsors and television, and not worrying about if a team bid $10,000 more than another team. It’s about who has the better crowd, and who can put on a better event.”

And that is the matter at hand. TheCup.us editor Josh Hakala has spent the past few months discussing the tournament’s bidding process with general managers and owners throughout the various flights of the game for their views on the event’s format. The Host Bidding method is reviled by many, but in the following piece he explores the heart of the rationale for the controversial selection process, revealing the costly factors that weigh into a team’s decision of what to bid in addition to the financial burden of travel. He provides some of the unseen costs and examines who exactly has been hosting matches during the Modern Pro Era by the numbers.

Here is our exclusive report on the US Open Cup bidding process:

DOLLARS & CENTS: THE CONTROVERSIAL US OPEN CUP HOSTING BID PROCESS

The 98th edition of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup is in the books and the Seattle Sounders won a third straight title, 2-0 over the Chicago Fire in front of a record crowd of 35,615. It was a historic event between two clubs who have enjoyed tremendous success in the competition over the years, with the Fire winning the competition four times previously and the Sounders claiming a rare three-peat that night.

Fans of the Seattle Sounders pack the Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila, Wash. for their team's Semifinal match against FC Dallas in the 2011 US Open Cup. Photo: Gerald Barnhart, TheCup.us

For the Sounders, on that Tuesday evening on October 4, it was the seventh Open Cup game in a row that they had hosted. In fact, nine of their 12 Cup matches have been played at home since they joined MLS from the United Soccer Leagues in 2009. Including their USL franchise, the Sounders have reached the Semifinals or better in each of the last five seasons. During that time, they have been the home team in 17 of their 22 matches, including the last two finals which have drawn record crowds in excess of 31,000 fans.

The Fire, winners of four Open Cup championships, have had similar success, hosting eight of their last 12 Open Cup matches, including a string of games in the 2006 tournament where all four of their games, including a 3-1 win over the Los Angeles Galaxy in the Final, were played in front of their home fans at Toyota Park.

Why have the Sounders and the Fire hosted so many of their Open Cup matches? It isn’t by luck, or by seeding, but rather it’s determined, largely, by which team writes the bigger check.

THE PROCESS

The United States Soccer Federation (USSF), who has run the tournament since it began in 1913, utilizes a bidding process to determine who hosts each game in the competition.

When professional clubs joined the Open Cup in 1995, the USSF implemented the bidding process for later round matches. In the early rounds, the Open Cup commissioner would announce the hosts for each game, taking into account factors such as travel, venue quality and availability while also making sure that one team did not host too many consecutive games. Prior to 1995, the cup commissioner, backed by a committee, would determine who hosted every game of the tournament.

Fans of the Los Angeles Blues cheer on their club against the PDL's Ventura County Fusion in the Second Round of the 2011 US Open Cup. Photo: LA Blues

George Mellis, the long-time general manager for the New York Greek American Atlas, a four-time Open Cup champion founded in 1941, said, in his experience, the decisions by the cup commissioner were almost always fair. Very simple logic was involved in the decisions, such as, if both venues were equal and you hosted the last round, then you wouldn’t host the next round.

In 2002, the USSF expanded the bidding process to include all games of the tournament, in an effort to remove subjectivity from the decision-making process and to help with the costs associated with the competition.

The process has evolved slightly since 2002, but for the 2011 Open Cup, the system for determining home games began with the USSF setting a deadline of May 26 for qualified teams to submit their bids for the first and second rounds.

Part of the bidding process allowed interested teams to declare two different venues (e.g. Seattle Sounders used both Starfire Sports Complex and CenturyLink Field in 2011), and submit an application declaring which venue they plan to use, and answering questions that would help the USSF determine if that venue meets their minimum standards (lights, locker rooms, field size etc.).

In addition to meeting those standards, each team is encouraged, not required, to commit to a financial bid to the federation. Assuming the team’s proposed venue is acceptable, the criteria comes down to who writes the biggest check. The team who bids the most, gets to host. While the amounts of the bids are kept a secret, the team officials interviewed for this story estimate the amount can range from as little as $500, to this year, where sources say Chicago and Seattle both submitted bids in excess of $100,000 to host this year’s final.

Writing a check isn’t the only option. In fact, according to the Open Cup handbook distributed by the USSF to teams, the proposals can vary.

“The parameters for such proposals are open-ended and may include a financial guarantee to U.S. Soccer, a guarantee plus percentage of the gate, or a percentage of the gate alone,” the handbook reads. “Teams may consider a financial guarantee paid in advance to strengthen their proposal, although this is not a pre-requisite. However, U.S. Soccer will take the absence of a check at the time of submitting a Hosting Proposal into consideration in the selection process.”

The teams submit their checks in advance, but only the winning bids have their checks deposited, with the losing bids getting theirs sent back.

After the Second Round, the stadium standards increase, but the same procedure is followed with USSF setting a deadline in advance, and teams bidding to host the Third Round and the Quarterfinals, and later the Semifinals and the Final.

THE CHALLENGE OF HOSTING/TRAVELING

No team wants to travel in any competition. The cost of hotels and airfare for a team can be very expensive but luckily the USSF reimburses the road team up to $8,000 (the amount goes up to $11,000 for the championship game). Anything above that amount has to be covered by the club.

In recent years, the USSF has focused on making the early rounds more regional in an effort to minimize travel costs.

Sporting Kansas City (then known as Kansas City Wizards) fans cheer on their team in a US Open Cup qualifying match in 2010. Photo: Gary Rohman

However, even with the assistance, many lower division professional teams, and especially amateur clubs, struggle financially to compete in the Open Cup either as road teams or as the host team.

In the early rounds, when your opponents could be an amateur team or a lower division professional club, it’s difficult to draw fans. In fact, since 2002, the number of games in the first two rounds that have exceeded the 3,000-fan mark are few and far between. The last three years (72 games), only one game has surpassed 3,000 fans in attendance (2010 First Round: Dayton Dutch Lions at Rochester Rhinos – 3,127 fans). This has become more challenging for lower division clubs as the economy has reduced attendance and has driven up the cost of travel.

Tom Zaiss, the long-time general manager for Bavarian SC from Milwaukee, which was founded in 1920, said as much as he loves the tournament, financially-speaking, it can be a lose-lose situation.

“As an amateur team, you lose money hosting, and you lose money when you travel,” said Zaiss, who was a player on the Bavarian SC team that finished as the runner-up in the 1994 Open Cup. “Flights aren’t cheap, especially on short notice, bus prices have gone up … it’s very expensive.”

The ‘short notice’ that Zaiss refers to is in reference to the fact that for the last decade, the first three rounds of the Open Cup move at a fast pace, with only two weeks in between some rounds. In the last two years, the gap between rounds has shrunk even further, with the first three rounds taking place on consecutive weeks. Focusing on creating a more regional draw has been a focus for the USSF to minimize travel costs, but the challenge of promoting and selling tickets to a game in less than a week is difficult, according to Zaiss and other teams like his.

Among the numerous costs associated with hosting a tournament game is the increased cost of the referees.

Minimum Referee Costs
Per Game*
LEAGUE GAMES
USL PRO: $415
PDL: $220

US OPEN CUP
Round 1: $435
Round 2: $825
Round 3/QFinals: $1300
SF/Final:  $1400

*Amounts exclude travel and per diem and vary
depending on the level of referee assigned to the match

As the level of play increases, and as the tournament progresses, the cost of game officials goes up, which can be challenging for amateur clubs. For example, based on 2011 league costs, PDL teams pay a minimum of $220 per USL game for a referee crew, excluding travel and per diem expenses. The opening round of the Open Cup, on the other hand, can cost a minimum of $435, with Round 2 jumping to $825. Round 3 and beyond starts at $1,300. Travel and per diem can push those costs around the $2,000 mark.

Other challenges associated with hosting occur when MLS teams have to draw crowds for midweek games against lower division opponents. However, recently some teams have taken it upon themselves to invest in marketing their Open Cup games.

The Sounders’ effort almost goes without saying. They have broken the Open Cup Final attendance record two years in a row at CenturyLink Field, and almost every game at Starfire Sports Complex has been packed, regardless of the level of competition.

Home game bidding: The best/worst
(Minimum: 10 games)
Highest hosting percentage
1. Carolina RailHawks (10/12, 83%)
2. El Paso Patriots (15/18, 83%)
3. Wilmington Hammerheads (17/23, 74%)
4. Western Mass Pioneers (8/11, 73%)
5. Charleston Battery (26/37, 70%)
6. Harrisburg City Islanders (11/16, 69%)
7. Rochester Rhinos (31/45, 69%)
8. Ocean City Nor’easters (8/12, 67%)
9. DC United (24/37, 65%)
10. Michigan Bucks (11/17, 65%)

Lowest hosting percentage
1. Colorado Rapids (3/19, 16%)
2. Chicago Fire PDL (2/10, 20%)
3. San Jose Earthquakes (5/18, 28%)
4. Pittsburgh Riverhounds (4/14, 29%)
5. Charlotte Eagles (4/14, 29%)
6. New York Red Bulls (10/27, 37%)
7. Houston Dynamo (4/10, 40%)
8. Chicago Fire (17/39, 44%)
9. FC Dallas (18/38, 47%)
10. Sporting Kansas City (12/24, 50%)

Real Salt Lake drew the Wilmington Hammerheads of USL PRO (Division 3 pro) in the Third Round this past year, and made a great effort to market the game. In their first Open Cup match in five years, RSL slashed ticket prices ($5 for season ticket holders, $10 for the general public) and with the winner of the Open Cup earning a place in the CONCACAF Champions League, they sold the game as the first step toward returning to the tournament where they finished as the runner-up earlier this year.

“It was our technical staff that promoted the match somewhat by default by decreeing that RSL would place more emphasis on the tournament,” said RSL spokesperson John Koluder. “ Garth Lagerway and coach Jason Kreis mentioned often throughout the summer that winning the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup was the ‘easiest path back to the CONCACAF Champions League.’”

RSL managed to draw 7,620 fans on that Tuesday night against the Hammerheads (and won 2-0), which most wouldn’t see as much of an accomplishment but it was the sixth-best attendance for an MLS team hosting a lower division team since MLS joined the competition in 1996 (excluding doubleheaders).

Koluder added, “When you put in the time and resources that our front office did to educate our fan base on the CCL and then see the tremendous results that came from it in the stands, pushing the US Open Cup as a conduit back to CONCACAF Champions League seemed a logical decision.”

“I think it’s a really cool tournament,” said Real Salt Lake general manager Garth Lagerway Lagerway. “It’s something that American fans will latch on to but it’s over our heads at the club level. USSF and MLS need to sit down and try to work something out.”

Lagerway would like to see the Open Cup operate more like the CONCACAF Champions League, a competition his team reached the finals of this past spring.

“I was impressed with the resources that CONCACAF had. Travel is $40,000 per game, every game is on TV, and they spent a lot of money to make this a big deal. The profile of that tournament has been raised and it’s increased MLS teams’ priorities.”

Lagerway’s frustration with the bidding process stems from last year where after RSL defeated Wilmington, they were outbid by FC Dallas to host the Quarterfinals. Dallas bid more to host it and only drew 3,189 fans, less than half of what RSL drew for a game against the  Division 3 Hammerheads.

“There should be a focus on sponsors and television, and not worrying about if a team bid $10,000 more than another team. It’s about who has the better crowd, and who can put on a better event.”

THE RICH GET RICHER?

It would appear as though the system favors the richer clubs, but the numbers don’t really back that up.

“US Soccer gives all clubs the same opportunity and makes decisions based on objective measures,” said USSF spokesperson Neil Beuthe. “Since 2007, the first year where the format changed to having eight MLS teams enter in the third round to play eight non-MLS clubs, lower division teams have hosted 19 third round games while MLS clubs have hosted 21.”

While MLS has hosted 32 of the 56 games (57 percent) played against lower division opponents since 2007, that balance has radically shifted in the last two years. MLS has been the home team for 17 of the last 20 matches (85 percent).

Games with MLS vs. non-MLS teams,
hosted by MLS clubs (MLS’ record)
2011: 9 of 10 (7-2-0)

2010: 8 of 10 (7-0-1, 0-1 in PKs)

2009: 4 of 11 (3-1-0)

2008: 7 of 12 (5-1-1, 1-0 in PKs)

2007: 4 of 13 (3-0-1, 1-0 in PKs)

Many fans point to this past year when MLS teams hosted seven out of the eight matches against lower division opponents, but 2011 was unique due to the fact that for the first time since MLS joined the competition in 1996 that there were no Division 2 teams in the competition, with NASL earning sanctioning too late to be included in the tournament. Without a second division, MLS was able to outbid USL Pro and PDL teams participating with much smaller budgets.

The last two years could be an anomaly, but it could be the beginning of a trend. Now more than ever, MLS teams own their own soccer specific stadiums, giving them more control over scheduling and removing the cost and burden of renting a stadium, as many have dealt with in years past.

But there may be more pressing overriding concern for the paradigm shift the past two years.

By bidding aggressively, MLS clubs avoid travel, which is a huge value to a club like the Seattle Sounders. The last two years, the Sounders have had to balance a schedule that included three major competitions (MLS, Open Cup and CONCACAF Champions League) for the club in addition to external player commitments such as international matches. The West also tends to be more spread out geographically. Seattle, for instance, outside of their Cascadian rivals, has to travel over 800 miles to get to their next closest opponent. FC Dallas has to travel over 2,000 miles to play teams like Seattle and Vancouver.

Sounders general manager Adrian Hanauer says his team is a lot like other top level clubs in the world, as they would rather risk losing money to host in place of “putting the extra miles” on players and coaches.

“As a USL franchise, we used to bid aggressively, but we didn’t want to overbid,” said Hanauer. “The best scenario for us was to host an MLS team; that way, we could recoup the money on ticket sales. But for MLS teams, they just don’t want to go on the road and they are willing to compromise their profit loss so that they don’t have to travel.”

The reality is, smaller clubs can’t lose money as easily as larger ones can.

A NEW APPROACH?

Some members of the soccer community would like to see changes in the way home teams are determined in the tournament. Some view it as an issue of fairness while others take it a step further, suggesting it is an opportunity to grow the game of soccer in the United States.

Tim Holt, president of United Soccer Leagues and co-chair of the Open Cup committee, told The Examiner recently that he would like to see a blind draw.

“One of the things the tournament will need to address going forward is the manner in which teams are selected to host in each of the individual rounds, and de-emphasize the economics of hosting each round and emphasize competitive balance,” he told L.E. Eisenmenger in an interview. “In many cup competitions around the world, there’s a draw for each round – home or away – and mathematically, you’ve a fifty percent chance of hosting and fifty percent chance of traveling.”

Neil Holloway, general manager of the PDL's Ocean City Nor'easters: “You could broadcast the draw, either on TV or online, like the FA Cup and promote it.” - Photo: Bill Pellegrino | Ocean City Nor'easters

Neil Holloway, the general manager of the PDL’s Ocean City Nor’easters, thinks the draw itself could be a useful way to increase the popularity of the Open Cup.

“You could broadcast the draw, either on TV or online, like the FA Cup and promote it,” said Holloway who has led Ocean City to the second-most Open Cup wins among PDL teams (6), including four upsets against professional clubs. “Draw it out of a hat and bring some attention to it. You also could get a sponsor, cover all of the travel costs for lower division clubs and that way you’re not going broke trying to compete in the tournament.”

Chris Economides, the senior director of USL PRO, echoed Holt’s ideas about the draw, seeing the possibility of giving lower division clubs a better chance of hosting is good for the game.

“When I was , we played a game against the New Hampshire Phantoms (formerly Division 3 pro based in Manchester, NH, now in the PDL) and it’s a big deal when the bigger club comes to town. You have to look at what’s good for the sport.”

Many of the teams and administrators that were contacted for this story had plenty of constructive criticisms of the competition, but not all of them were completely against the current organization of the tournament.

“I think the system is fair,” said Michigan Bucks owner and president Dan Duggan. “Does it have flaws? Yes. But it is not an easy tournament to manage.”

The Bucks, a PDL team since 1996 currently based in Pontiac, Mich., have more wins than any team in PDL history, and are the most successful amateur club in the Modern Professional Era with a record seven wins over professional teams. They also have played in 17 cup games, which is more than any amateur team since 1995. Duggan is well-versed in the process of bidding for home games, having hosted 11 of those games. Four of those home games were played against MLS teams.

“If you saw some of the venues that people suggested we play Open Cup matches in, it would set the sport back 50 years,” said Duggan. “If you have a professional organization and a venue that meets and exceeds FIFA standards, and you have a passionate fan base, then you should get an opportunity to host. And I believe that is why we have hosted as many times as we have over the years.”

MONEY, MONEY, MONEY

Simply getting rid of the bidding process, and implementing a new procedure for choosing home teams, is not as easy as it would seem. The federation depends on the money from the bidding process to operate the Open Cup. If the money for home games stopped coming in, something would have to be done to replace those lost dollars.

Orr Barouch celebrates with Fire fans after Chicago's 4-0 drubbing of the New York Red Bulls in the 2011 Quarterfinals. Photo: Chicago Fire

It remains to be seen if the USSF will choose to allocate more funds to the competition, or if additional sponsors or investors will be rounded up. If not, the status quo will likely continue.

“No other traditional American sport has a system like this to determine their championship games,” said former Chicago Fire general manager Peter Wilt. “Money is a big part of the process, travel is a big part and they just try to bring a sense of fairness.”

It’s no secret that the tournament isn’t as popular as it could be. With almost all games taking place during the workweek, and almost none of them broadcast on television, except for the final, attendance for the competition rarely moves the meter. Only 26 games (out of the 117) in the last three years have drawn more than 4,000 fans.

If you take away games involving the Seattle Sounders during that span, only nine of those games have cracked the 4,000 mark.

Without promising attendance numbers or television exposure, it will be difficult to sell to sponsors.

What does the USSF plan to do to fix this? Prior to this year’s Open Cup Final, Adrian Hanauer really wanted to know.

“I would welcome USSF to engage MLS or others in trying to come up with some of those ideas ,” he said. “The first thing is, are we going to turn this into a meaningful tournament or not? If we’re not, then let’s just kill it. If we are, then let’s make a plan. A five-year plan? A 10-year plan? Where do we want to go and how are we going to get there? As far as I know, USSF hasn’t come up with a plan. I know I haven’t seen or heard one.”

“It’s really the biggest source of frustration,” he added. “We just bump along down the road, doing the same thing. There’s a lot of things we could do, but some of them would cost money. If there was a plan in place, and USSF worked on a partnership with MLS, it could work. Let’s say, for instance, bigger prize money. How about a million dollars?”

If changes are going to be made, or if, as Hanauer puts it, the tournament will continue to “bump on down the road,” there’s no silver bullet solution to raising the profile of the US Open Cup, one of the US Soccer majors. Regardless of whatever solution you feel needs to be implemented, it will cost money. If the current bidding process is discontinued, the money will have to be found by other means, and considering the gaps between the money needed and the crowds drawn at this point, that will not be an easy task.

The US Open Cup Final: 1914-present

by

The Dewar Trophy

The Lamar Hunt US Open Cup debuted as the National Challenge Cup in 1913, and crowned its first champion in 1914, and since then has had different names and a variety of formats, but it has remained the national championship for the sport of soccer in the United States for more than a century.

TheCup.us has compiled details from every championship game since the beginning, but the list required the help of a number of dedicated individuals. These details would not be possible if not for the research of Colin Jose, Roger Allaway, Dave Litterer, Aldo Benni and the dedicated staff at the National Soccer Hall of Fame. A great deal of this list has been put together by Jose and Allaway, two of the foremost historians of soccer in the United States and Canada.

Mr. Allaway was the historian for the National Soccer Hall of Fame, and Mr. Jose was his predecessor in that position. Additional information has been obtained through the American Soccer History Archives website maintained by Dave Litterer. TheCup.us lead researcher Chuck Nolan Jr. has managed to fill in some of the gaps in the information Jose and Allaway have researched, and are also working on compiling full results and match details with the help of all of those mentioned above.

Like all historical research, it is always a work in progress and is constantly being updated. Anyone interested in contributing to this research, please contact us HERE.

1913/1914 Final
Brooklyn Field Club (Brooklyn, NY) 2:1 Brooklyn Celtic (Brooklyn, NY)
May 16, 1914 | Coats Field – Pawtucket, Rhode Island

Brooklyn Field Club from the 1913/14 season

Scoring Summary
Brooklyn Field Club: Percy Adamson – 3rd min.
Brooklyn Celtic: Thomas Campion (PK) – 27th min.
Brooklyn Field Club: James Ford – 87th min.

Lineups

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

Manager: W. Kirby

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

Manager: Thomas McCamphill

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

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1914/1915 Final
Bethlehem Steel (Bethlehem, PA) 3:1 Brooklyn Celtic (Brooklyn, NY)
May 1, 1915 | Taylor Field – Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

1914/1915 National Challenge Cup champions Bethlehem Steel
1914/1915 National Challenge Cup champions Bethlehem Steel

Scoring Summary
Bethlehem: James Ford (Tommy Fleming) – 20th min.
Bethlehem: Bob Millar (James Ford) – 37th min.
Bethlehem: Tommy Fleming (PK) – 75th min.
Brooklyn: John McQueen – 2nd half

Lineups

Bethlehem Steel: William Duncan, Sam Fletcher, Jock Ferguson, Dugald Campbell, Clarke, Bobby Morrison, James Ford, Billy Murray, Bob Millar, Fred Pepper, Tommy Fleming

Head Coach: Horace Lewis

Brooklyn Celtic: Frank Mather, Nichols, Harry McWilliams, John Broadbent, Donegan, Neville, Thomas Campion, Albert Lonier, Rodney O’Halloran, John McQueen, Thomas McGreevy

Head Coach: Thomas McCamphill

Attendance: 7,000
Referee: George Lambie | Linesmen: Charles E. Creighton, James Walders

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1915/1916 Final
Bethlehem Steel (Bethlehem, PA) 1:0 Fall River Rovers (Fall River, MA)
May 6, 1916 | Coats Field – Pawtucket, Rhode Island

Bethlehem Steel celebrate the club's 1915/1916 National Challenge Cup title.
Bethlehem Steel celebrate the club’s 1915/1916 National Challenge Cup title.

Scoring Summary
Bethlehem: Tommy Fleming (PK) – 78th min.

Lineups

Bethlehem Steel: William Duncan, Sam Fletcher, Jock Ferguson, Billy Murray, Dugald Campbell, Bobby Morrison, MacDonald, Fred Pepper, Clarke, Butler, Tommy Fleming

Head Coach: Horace Lewis

Fall River Rovers: Jack Albion, Frank Booth, Charles Burns, Frederick Burns, Pierre Bouchard, William Stone, Arthur Morgan, John Sullivan, John Dalton, Tommy Swords, Oliva Garant

Head Coach: Randolph Howarth

Attendance: 10,000
Referee: David Whyte | Linesmen: George E. Mitchell, Joe Booth

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1916/1917 Final
Fall River Rovers (Fall River, MA) 1:0 Bethlehem Steel (Bethlehem, PA)
May 5, 1917 | Lonsdale Avenue Ground – Pawtucket, Rhode Island

1916/1917 National Challenge Cup champion Fall River Rovers
1916/1917 National Challenge Cup champion Fall River Rovers

Scoring Summary
Fall River: Tommy Swords – 1st min.

Lineups

Fall River Rovers: Jack Albion, Frank Booth, Charles Burns, Frederick Burns, Johnny McFarlane, William Turner, John Sullivan, Francis Landy, Tommy Swords, John Cullerton

Head Coach: Randolph Howarth

Bethlehem Steel: William Duncan (GK), Sam Fletcher, Jock Ferguson, Thomas Murray, Willie Kirkpatrick, James Campbell, George McKelvey, Fred Pepper, Jimmy Easton, George Forest, Tommy Fleming

Head Coach: Horace Lewis

Attendance: 7,000
Referee: William Taylor | Linesmen: Robert Ritchie, Patrick Darcy

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1917/1918 Final
Bethlehem Steel (Bethlehem, PA) 2:2 (AET) Fall River Rovers (Fall River, MA)
May 5, 1918 | Coats Field – Pawtucket, Rhode Island
Match would be replayed in Harrison, New Jersey

1917/1918 National Challenge Cup champion Bethlehem Steel
1917/1918 National Challenge Cup champion Bethlehem Steel

Scoring Summary
Bethlehem: Harry Ratican (Tommy Fleming) – 4th min.
Fall River: John Sullivan (Roger Smith) – 13th min.
Bethlehem: Tommy Fleming (Jimmy Murphy) – 1st half
Fall River: Miles Chadwick – 45th min.

Lineups

Bethlehem: William Duncan (GK), Sam Fletcher, Jock Ferguson, Thomas Murray, James Campbell, Willie Kirkpatrick, Jimmy Murphy, Fred Pepper, Jimmy Easton, Harry Ratican, Tommy Fleming

Head Coach: William Sheridan

Fall River: Jack Albion, Frank Booth, Charles Burns, Frederick Burns, Fred Beardsworth, T. Clark, Roger Smith, Arthur Morgan, John Sullivan, Tommy Swords, Miles Chadwick

Head Coach: Randolph Howarth

Attendance: 13,000
Referee: Charles E. Creighton | Linesmen – Joe Booth, Samuel McLerie

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1917/1918 Final (Replay)
Bethlehem Steel (Bethlehem, PA) 3:0 Fall River Rovers (Fall River, MA)
May 19, 1918 | Federal League Baseball Grounds – Harrison, New Jersey

Scoring Summary
Bethlehem: Harry Ratican (Jock Ferguson) – 30th min.
Bethlehem: Fred Pepper (Unassisted) – 32nd min.
Bethlehem: Harry Ratican (Tommy Fleming) – 75th min.

NOTE: Bethlehem’s Tommy Fleming had a penalty kick saved in the 32nd min., which led to Fred Pepper’s goal

Lineups

Bethlehem: William Duncan (GK), Sam Fletcher, Jock Ferguson, Thomas Murray, James Campbell, Willie Kirkpatrick, Jimmy Murphy, Fred Pepper, Jimmy Easton, Harry Ratican, Tommy Fleming

Head Coach: William Sheridan

Fall River: Jack Albion, Frank Booth, Charles Burns, Frederick Burns, Fred Beardsworth, T. Clark, Roger Smith, Arthur Morgan, John Sullivan, Tommy Swords, Miles Chadwick

Head Coach: Randolph Howarth

Attendance: 8,000
Referee: Charles E. Creighton | Linesmen: Joe Booth, Samuel McLerie

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1918/1919 Final
Bethlehem Steel (Bethlehem, PA) 2:0 Paterson FC (Paterson, NJ)
April 19, 1919 | Fall River Athletic Field – Fall River, Massachusetts

Philadelphia Inquirer, April 27, 1919

Scoring Summary
Bethlehem: George McKelvey – 60th min.
Bethlehem: Harry Ratican – 88th min.

Lineups

Bethlehem: William Duncan (GK), James Wilson, Jock Ferguson, Fred Pepper, James Campbell, Davie Brown, George McKelvey, Butler, George Forest, Harry Ratican, Tommy Fleming

Head Coach: William Sheridan

Paterson FC: G. Healey, Broadbent, Murray, Tommy Stark, A. Vandeweghe, Henry Meyerdiercks, Knowles, Bleich, George Post, Archie Stark, Davy Brown

Head Coach: John Ford

Attendance: 10,000
Referee: George Lambie | Linesmen: Ed Pemberton, George Mitchell

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1919/1920 Final
Ben Miller FC (St. Louis, MO) 2:1 Fore River Rovers (Quincy, MA)
May 8, 1920 | Handlan’s Park – St. Louis, Missouri

1919/1920 National Challenge Cup champion Ben Miller SC
1919/1920 National Challenge Cup champion Ben Miller SC

Scoring Summary
Ben Miller: Hap Marre (Rube Potee) – 22nd min.
Fore River: Jack Kershaw – 35th min.
Ben Miller: Jimmy Dunn (Rube Potee) – 63rd min.

Lineups

Ben Miller: Charles McGarry, Joe Lancaster, Jimmy Johnston, Johnny Redden, Billy Quinn, Tommy O’Hanlon, Al McHenry, Lawrence Riley, Jimmy Dunn, Hap Marre, Rube Potee

Head Coach: Pete Ratican

Fore River: Jimmy Lambie, William Parkinson, Tommy Littlejohn, William Daly, George Green, Joe Black, Jimmy Farquhar, David Page, Jack Kershaw, Tommy Underwood, James Daly

Head Coach: Robert Lewis

Game Stats

Shots: Ben Miller 11, Fore River 8
Saves: Ben Miller 3, Fore River 8
Fouls: Ben Miller 13, Fore River 12
Corners: Ben Miller 2, Fore River 4
Offside: Ben Miller 1, Fore River 0
Free Kicks: Ben Miller 17, Fore River 16
Goal Kicks: Ben Miller 22, Fore River 22
Thrown Ins: Ben Miller 37, Fore River 34

Attendance: 12,000
Referee: Alex McKenzie | Linesmen: Phil Kavanaugh, Paul McSweeney

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1920/1921 Final
Robins Dry Dock (Brooklyn, NY) 4:2 Scullin Steel (St. Louis, MO)
April 19, 1921 | Fall River Athletic Field – Fall River, Massachusetts

Robins Dry Dock won the 1920/1921 National Challenge Cup title.
Robins Dry Dock won the 1920/1921 National Challenge Cup title.

Scoring Summary
Scullin Steel: Charles Bechtold (Allie Schwarz) – 15th min.
Robins Dry Dock: Jack McGuire – 16th min.
Scullin Steel: Charles Bechtold – 19th min.
Robins Dry Dock: Robert Hosie – 29th min.
Robins Dry Dock: Peter Sweeney – 64th min.
Robins Dry Dock: George McKelvey (Jack McGuire) – 71st min.

Lineups

Robins Dry Dock: Pete Renzulli, Thore Sundberg, W. Brownlee, Fred Beardsworth, Neil Clarke, Joseph Irvine, George McKelvey, Jack McGuire, Harry Ratican, Robert Hosie, Peter Sweeney

Head Coach: JR Drysdale

Scullin Steel: Joe Hennessy, Al Oberle, AJ Brady, Tommy O’Hanlon, Len Zarchel, Eddie Burke, Joe Nolan, Allie Schwarz, Charles Bechtold, James Brannigan, Joe McCarthy

Head Coach: Tate Brady

Attendance: 8,000
Referee: James E. Schoefield | Linesmen: George Carrol, Joseph Smith

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1921/1922 Final
Scullin Steel (St. Louis, MO) 3:2 Todd Shipyards (Brooklyn, NY)
March 19, 1922 | High School Field – St. Louis, Missouri

NOTE: Todd Shipyards previously known as Robins Dry Dock

1921-1922 National Challenge Cup champion Scullin Steel
1921-1922 National Challenge Cup champion Scullin Steel

Scoring Summary
Todd Shipyard: Jack McGuire (Harry Ratican) – 17th min.
Todd Shipyard: Jack McGuire – 19th min.
Scullin Steel: Cliff Brady (Charles Bechtold) – 37th min.
Scullin Steel: Allie Schwarz (Joe Hennessey) – 71st min.
Scullin Steel: Allie Schwarz – 86th min.

Lineups

Scullin Steel: Harry Oellerman, Tate Brady, George Bentley, Joe Nolan, Len Zarachel, Joe Hennessey, Emmet Mulvey, James Brannigan, Allie Schwarz, Cliff Brady, Charles Bechtold

Head Coach: Tate Brady

Todd Shipyard: Pete Renzulli, William Whitehead, Adam Smith, Joseph Irvine, James Campbell, Bill Fryer, Peter Sweeney, Frank McKenna, Harry Ratican, Jack McGuire, George McKelvey

Head Coach: JR Drysdale

Game Stats

Shots: Scullin 15, Todd 19
Saves: Scullin 13, Todd 7
Corners: Scullin 3, Todd 11
Offside: Scullin 3, Todd 5
Fouls: Scullin 8, Todd 10
Free Kicks: Scullin 16, Todd 13
Goal Kicks: Scullin 16, Todd 11
Throw Ins: Scullin – 49, Todd 46
Foul Throw Ins: Scullin 2, Todd 1

Attendance: 8,568
Referee: George Young | Linesmen: Phil Kavanaugh, Paul McSweeney

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1922/1923 Final
Paterson Silk Sox (Paterson, NJ) 2:2 (AET) Scullin Steel (St. Louis, MO)
April 1, 1923 | Harrison Field – Harrison, New Jersey
Paterson Silk Sox wins the National Challenge Cup by forfeit (Details below)

Action from the 1923 National Challenge Cup Final between Paterson FC (Paterson, NJ) and Scullin Steel (St. Louis, MO). 15,000 fans were in attendance at Harrison Field on April 1, 1923. Photo: St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Action from the 1923 National Challenge Cup Final between Paterson FC (Paterson, NJ) and Scullin Steel (St. Louis, MO). 15,000 fans were in attendance at Harrison Field on April 1, 1923. Photo: St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Scoring Summary
Scullin Steel: James Brannigan (John Rooney) – 38th min.
Scullin Steel: Allie Schwarz (John Rooney) – 57th min.
Paterson: Tommy Duggan (John Heminsley) – 65th min.
Paterson: John Heminsley (Tommy Duggan) – 84th min.

Lineups

Paterson: Pete Renzulli, Joe Reynolds, William Whitehead, F. Adams, Bill Fryer, Billy Herd, Tommy Duggan, Jack McGuire, John Heminsley, Frank McKenna, Joseph Irvine

Head Coach: Adolph Buslik

Scullin Steel: Harry Oellerman, Al Oberle, Tate Brady, Joe Hennessy, Len Zarachel, Danny Murphy, Charles Bechtold, John Rooney, Allie Schwarz, James Brannigan, Tommy Mitchell

Head Coach: Tate Brady

Attendance: 15,000
Referee: JB Stark | Linesmen: Charles E. Creighton, Robert McMahon

NOTE: The United States Football Association (USFA) decided that the replay would be held in the East, and the day after the Final between Paterson and Scullin. The St. Louis club announced they would not be able to field a team for the rematch. Oellerman, Brannigan, Mulvey and Rooney had departed for baseball training camps. Had the replay been held in St. Louis they could have made the Final, but a long trip back East was out of the question. On top of this, Scullin players Nolan, Bechtold and Bentley were injured. Instead of fielding an inferior team against Paterson, the Scullin management felt they had no choice but to relinquish their championship to Paterson.

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1923/1924 Final
Fall River Marksmen (Fall River, MA) 4:2 Vesper Buick (St. Louis, MO)
March 30, 1924 | High School Field – St. Louis, Missouri

The 1923-24 Fall River Marksmen, winners of the National Challenge Cup. Sam Mark is seated to the far left.
The 1923-24 Fall River Marksmen, winners of the National Challenge Cup. Sam Mark is seated to the far left.

Scoring Summary
Fall River: Fred Morley (Bill McPherson) – 6th min.
Vesper Buick: Tom Harris (PK) – 36th min.
Fall River: Fred Morley (Frank McKenna) – 51st min.
Vesper Buick: Joe McCarthy (Eddie Becker) – 52nd min.
Fall River: Johnny Reid – 2nd Half
Fall River: Harold Brittan – 90th min.

Lineups

Vesper Buick: Charlie Labarge, Tom Scott, Edward Fitzgerald, Dutch Gockel, Eddie Burke, Charles Oster, Irv Wimer, Tom Harris, George Corrigan, Eddie Becker, Joe McCarthy

Head Coach: Harry McCarthy

Fall River: Findlay Kerr, Ned Tate, Alex Kemp, Bill McPherson, Tommy Raeside, Harry McGowan, Dougie Campbell, Johnny Reid, Harold Brittan, Fred Morley, Frank McKenna

Head Coach: Harold Brittan

Game Stats

Shots: Vesper 13, Fall River 32
Saves: Vesper 15, Fall River 7
Corners: Vesper 2, Fall River 7
Offside: Vesper 3, Fall River 8
Fouls: Vesper 5, Fall River 7
Free Kicks: Vesper 16, Fall River 10
Goal Kicks: Vesper 24, Fall River 8
Throw Ins: Vesper 52, Fall River 41
Foul Thrown Ins: Vesper 2, Fall River 1

Attendance (paid): 13,686
Referee: Edward McCabe | Linesmen: A. Shallcross, PJ Kavanaugh

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1924/1925 Final
Shawsheen Indians (Andover, MA) 3:0 Canadian Club FC (Chicago, IL)
April 19, 1925 | Mark’s Stadium – Tiverton, Rhode Island

Scoring Summary
Shawsheen: Edmund Smith (Andrew Nixon) – 35th min.
Shawsheen: Peter Purden (PK) – 41st min.
Shawsheen: Alex Carrie – 50th min.

Lineups

Shawsheen: Thomas Murdoch, Bill Ross, David Mills, Andrew Nixon, William Thomson, Fred Watkins, Robert Blyth, Peter Purden, Alex Carrie, Edmund Smith, Alexander Edwards

Head Coach: Alec Wallace

Canadian Club: Vic Neate, Bob Hannah, Jack Houghton, Matt Reid, Jim Corbett, Red Anderson, Frankie Davidson, Don Carroll, Joe Phillips, Dave Paxton, Harry Amber

Head Coach: ?

Attendance: 2,500 (reported) 953 (paid)
Referee: William Norse | Linesmen: Fred O’Dell, JW Woods

Note: St. Louis and American Soccer League clubs boycotted the 1925 National Challenge Cup. The clubs were dissatisfied with the United Soccer Football Association’s cut of gate receipts for cup games, and being forced to play in preliminary rounds against small amateur clubs.

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1925/1926 Final
Bethlehem Steel (Bethlehem, PA) 7:2 Ben Miller FC (St. Louis, MO)
April 11, 1926 | Ebbets Field – Brooklyn, New York

Scoring Summary
Bethlehem: Archie Stark (Malcolm Goldie) – 6th min.
Bethlehem: Archie Stark (Johnny Grainger) – 18th min.
Bethlehem: Malcolm Goldie (Johnny Grainger) – 34th min.
Ben Miller: Ben Nash (Tal Mulroy) – 48th min.
Bethlehem: Archie Stark – 53rd min.
Bethlehem: Johnny Rollo – 55th min.
Ben Miller: Ben Nash (Allan Petersen) – 70th min.
Bethlehem: Robert McDonald (Malcolm Goldie) – 87th min.
Bethlehem: Johnny Jaap (Archie Stark) – 88th min.

Lineups

Bethlehem Steel: Dave Carson, Joe Berryman, Billy Allen, Robert McDonald, Bill Carnihan, Bob McGregor, Johnny Jaap, Johnny Grainger, Archie Stark, Johnny Rollo, Malcolm Goldie

Head Coach: Jim Easton

Ben Miller: Dave Barnett, Tom Erbe, Tim Daley, Eddie Croak, Allan Petersen, Raphael Tracey, Ebbie Dunn, Johnny Worden, George Bollam, Ben Nash, Tal Mulroy

Head Coach: Billy Foley

Game Stats
Shots: Bethlehem 28, Ben Miller 8
Saves: Bethlehem 6, Ben Miller 11
Fouls: Bethlehem 4, Ben Miller 11
Corners: Bethlehem 8, Ben Miller 3
Goal Kicks: Bethlehem 8, Ben Miller 29
Thrown Ins: Bethlehem 31, Ben Miller 31
Offside: Bethlehem 1, Ben Miller 0
Foul Throw Ins: Bethlehem 0, Ben Miller 0

Attendance: 12,041
Referee: Thomas Cunningham | Linesmen: Mose Bloom, Roderick O’Halloran

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1926/1927 Final
Fall River Marksmen (Fall River, MA) 7:0 Holley Carburetor (Detroit, MI)
May 1, 1927 | University of Detroit Stadium – Detroit, Michigan

Scoring Summary
Fall River: Harold Brittan – 14th min.
Fall River: Dave McEachran (Jimmy Kelly) – 34th min.
Fall River: Tec White (Harold Brittan) – 61st min.
Fall River: Jimmy Kelly – 73rd min.
Fall River: Dougie Campbell (Tec White) – 76th min.
Fall River: Dave McEachran (Dougie Campbell) – 2nd half
Fall River: Tec White (Harold Brittan) – 87th min.

Lineups

Holley: Dick, Hayston, Boath, Gallagher, Dalrymple, Jimmy Stewart, Forrester, Dodger Connolly, Gerrit Visser, J. Rutherford, Love

Head Coach: William Baker

Fall River: Tommy Blair, Charlie McGill, Bill Gibson, Bill McPherson, Bob Wilson, Hugh Coyle, Dougie Campbell, Tec White, Harold Brittan, Jimmy Kelly, Dave McEachran

Head Coach: Sam Mark

Attendance: 11,000
Referee: Charles E. Creighton | Linesmen: David Evans, William Ferguson

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1927/1928 Final
New York Nationals (New York, NY) 1:1 (AET) Bricklayers FC (Chicago, IL)
April 9, 1928 | Polo Grounds – Manhattan, New York
The match would be replayed in Chicago

The New York Nationals won the 1927-1928 National Challenge Cup title.
The New York Nationals won the 1927-1928 National Challenge Cup title.

Scoring Summary
Bricklayers: Clem Cuthbert – 8th min.
Nationals: Siegfried Wortmann – 30th min.

Lineups

Nationals: Pete Renzulli, Jimmy Warden, Alec Donald, Harry Chatton, John Slaven, James Martyn, Bobby Walker, Siegfried Wortmann, George Henderson, Bob Millar, Bart McGhee

Head Coach: Bob Millar

Bricklayers: Tom McEwan, Tom Scott, Alec Wood, Tom Hill, Pete Quinn, Bob Thomson, Willie McLean, Hugh Hill, Pete Phillips, Clem Cuthbert, Bobby Walker

Head Coach: Albert Peterson

Game Stats

Corners: Nationals 10, Bricklayers 1

Attendance: 16,000
Referee: James Walder | Linesmen: Charles E. Creighton, Alfred White

1927/1928 Final (Replay)
New York Nationals (New York, NY) 3:0 Bricklayers FC (Chicago, IL)
April 15, 1928 | Soldier Field – Chicago, Illinois

Scoring Summary
Nationals: George Henderson (James Martyn) – 12th min.
Nationals: George Henderson (Bobby Walker) – 39th min.
Nationals: Siegfried Wortmann (James Martyn) – 60th min.

Lineups

Bricklayers: Tom McEwan, Tom Scott, Alec Wood, Tom Hill, Pete Quinn, Bob Thomson, Willie McLean, Hugh Hill, Dave Coutts, Clem Cuthbert, Bobby Walker

Head Coach: Albert Peterson

Nationals: Pete Renzulli, Jimmy Warden, Alec Donald, Harry Chatton, John Slaven, James Martyn, Bobby Walker, Siegfried Wortmann, George Henderson, Bob Millar, Bart McGhee

Head Coach: Bob Millar

Game Stats
Fouls: Bricklayers 8, Nationals 7
Corner Kicks: Bricklayers 8, Nationals 0
Free Kicks: Bricklayers 13, Nationals 14

Sent Off
Bricklayers: Tom Scott (Second Half)
Nationals: Bob Millar (Second Half)

Attendance: 15,000
Referee: James Walder | Linesmen: A. Shalcross, JW Wood

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1928/1929 Final (Best of 3)
Hakoah All Stars (New York, NY) 2:0 Madison Kennels (St. Louis, MO)
Hakoah All Stars (New York, NY) 3:0 Madison Kennels (St. Louis, MO)
Hakoah All Stars win National Challenge Cup, 2-0

1928/1929 Final (Game 1)
Hakoah All Stars 2:0 Madison Kennels
March 31, 1929 | Sportsman’s Park – St. Louis, Missouri

Scoring Summary
Hakoah: Josef Eisenhoffer (Rudolph Nicholsburger) – 80th min.
Hakoah: Siegfried Wortmann – 82nd min.

Lineups

Madison Kennels: Charley Labarge, Dutch Gockel, Joe Hand, Ollie Fink, Eddie Burke, Charley Oster, Bud Grenon, Johnny Worden, Eddie Flavin, Dinty Moore, Eddie Hanson

Head Coach: Jimmy Burke

Hakoah: Lajos Fischer, Ludwig Grosz, Laszlo Sternberg, Rudolph Nicholsburger, Leo Drucker, Pavel Mahrer, Erno Schwarz, Moritz Haeusler, Max Gruenwald, Siegfried Wortman, Josef Eisenhoffer

Head Coach: Max Reichuk

Game Stats
Shots: Hakoah 16, Madison 13
Saves: Hakoah 13, Madison 14
Fouls: Hakoah 17, Madison 15
Corners: Hakoah 4, Madison 2
Offside: Hakoah 0, Madison 1
Goal Kicks: Hakoah 11, Madison 13
Throw Ins: Hakoah 28, Madison 31
Foul Thrown Ins: Hakoah 3, Madison 1

Attendance: 18,000 (13,937 paid)
Referee: James McFarlane | Linesmen: Phil Cavanaugh, John Johnson

1928/1929 Final (Game 2)
Hakoah All Stars 3:0 Madison Kennels
April 7, 1929 | Dexter Park – Brooklyn, New York

Scoring Summary
Hakoah: Erno Schwarz (Max Gruenwald) – 20th min.
Hakoah: Max Gruenwald (Moritz Haeusler) – 50th min.
Hakoah: Moritz Haeusler (Max Gruenwald) – 70th min.

Lineups

Hakoah: Lajos Fischer, Ludwig Grosz, Laszlo Sternberg, Rudolph Nicholsburger, Bela Guttman, Pavel Mahrer, Erno Schwarz, Moritz Haeusler, Max Gruenwald, Siegfried Wortmann, Josef Eisenhoffer

Head Coach: Max Reichuk

Madison Kennels: Charley Labarge, Dutch Gockel, Joe Hand, Ollie Fink, Eddie Burke, Charley Oster, Emmet McDonnell, Johnny Worden, Eddie Flavin, Dinty Moore, Eddie Hanson

Head Coach: Jimmy Burke

Sent Off
Madison: Ollie Fink – 55th min.
Hakoah: Siegfried Wortman – 55th min.

Attendance: 20,000 (12,600 paid)
Referee: James McFarlane | Linesmen: M. Bloom, E. McCabe

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1929/1930 Final (Best of 3)
Fall River Marksmen (Fall River, MA) 7:2 Bruell Insurance (Cleveland, OH)
Fall River Marksmen (Fall River, MA) 2:1 Bruell Insurance (Cleveland, OH)
Fall River Marksmen win the National Challenge Cup, 2-0

1929/1930 Final (Game 1)
Fall River Marksmen (Fall River, MA) 7:2 Bruell Insurance (Cleveland, OH)
March 30, 1930 | Polo Grounds – Manhattan, New York

Scoring Summary
Fall River: Jimmy McAuley (Alex McNab) – 1st min.
Fall River: Jimmy Mcauley – 4th min.
Fall River: Jimmy McAuley (Alex McNab) – 7th min.
Fall River: Alex McNab – 20th min.
Fall River: Werner Nilsen – 22nd min.
Fall River: Werner Nilsen – 30th min.
Fall River: Werner Nilsen – 35th min.
Bruell: Robert Wilson (George Garaffi) – 55th min.
Bruell: Robert Wilson (PK) – 88th min.

Lineups

Fall River: Johnny Reder, Bob McAuley, McArthur, Bill McPherson, Dave Priestley, Bobby Ballantyne, Alex McNab, Billy Gonsalves, Werner Nilsen (Milton Gavin), Jimmy McAuley, Tec White

Head Coach: Sam Mark

Bruell: Al Ramsay, Darcy McElligott, Arnold Burton, Frank Abraham, Walter Scott (George Phillips), Jimmy Russell, Alvin Gross (R. Dickie), George Caraffi, Robert Wilson, Stanley Scott, Ralph Caraffi

Head Coach: George Gerstl

Missed Penalty

Bruell: George Caraffi – Second Half

Attendance: 10,000
Referee: Edward Donaghy | Linesmen: M. Bloom, E. McCabe

1929/1930 Final (Game 2)
Fall River Marksmen (Fall River, MA) 2:1 Bruell Insurance (Cleveland, OH)
April 6, 1930 | Luna Park – Cleveland, Ohio

Scoring Summary
Bruell: George Phillips – 11th min.
Fall River: Bob McAuley (Bert Patenaude) – 34th min.
Fall River: Alex McNab (PK) – 85th min.

Lineups

Bruell: Al Ramsay, Darcy McElligott, Ralph Caraffi, Frank Abraham, Robert Wilson, Jimmy Russell, William Phillips, George Phillips, George Caraffi, R. Dickie, Stanley Scott

Head Coach: George Gerstl

Fall River: Johnny Reder, Charlie McGill, Bob McAuley, Bill McPherson, Dave Priestley, Bobby Ballantyne, Alex McNab, Billy Gonsalves, Werner Nilsen, Bert Patenaude, Tec White

Head Coach: Sam Mark

Attendance: 3,500
Referee: Harry Pithie | Linesmen: AC Paterson, M. Curran

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1930/1931 Final
Fall River Marksmen (Fall River, MA) 6:2 Bricklayers (Chicago, IL)
Fall River Marksmen (Fall River, MA) 1:1 Bricklayers (Chicago, IL)
Fall River Marksmen (Fall River, MA) 2:0 Bricklayers (Chicago, IL)
Fall River Marksmen win National Challenge Cup, 2-0 (1 draw)

NOTE: Fall River Marksmen had moved to New York City by the time of the Final and had changed their name to the “New York Yankees” but were required to use the Marksmen name during cup matches since that was the name they registered as. This is why photos from the 1931 National Challenge Cup show the Marksmen wearing “Yankees” uniforms.

1930/1931 Final (Game 1)
Fall River Marksmen (Fall River, MA) 6:2 Bricklayers (Chicago, IL)
April 5, 1931 | Polo Grounds – Manhattan, New York

Scoring Summary
Fall River: Bert Patenaude – 3rd min.
Fall River: Bert Patenaude (Alex McNab) – First Half
Fall River: Bert Patenaude (Tec White) – 45th min.
Fall River: Bert Patenaude (Tec White) – 65th min.
Bricklayers: Clem Cuthbert (Johnny Greenlee) – 50th min.
Bricklayers: Johnny Greenlee (Willie McLean) – 57th min.
Fall River: Bert Patenaude – 77th min.
Fall River: Bill McPherson – 90th min.

Lineups

Fall River Marksmen: Johnny Reder, Charlie McGill, John Rebello, Bill McPherson, Johnny Caldwell, Bobby Ballantyne, Alex McNab, Werner Nilsen, Bert Patenaude, Billy Gonsalves, Tec White

Head Coach: Sam Mark

Bricklayers: Vic Neate, Bob Gregg, Hugh Davidson, Bob Thompson, Tom Scott, Billy Ogilvie, Johnny Greenlee (Jimmy Martin), Jimmy Munro (Hughie Hill), Dave Coutts, Clem Cuthbert, Willie McLean

Head Coach: Billy Alexander

Attendance: 12,000
Referee: Charles E. Creighton | Linesmen: E. McCabe, EJ Donaghy

1930/1931 Final (Game 2)
Fall River Marksmen (Fall River, MA) 1:1 Bricklayers (Chicago, IL)
April 12, 1931 | Mills Stadium – Chicago, Illinois

Scoring Summary
Fall River: Billy Gonsalves (Alex McNab) – 40th min.
Bricklayers: Bob Gregg (PK) – 57th min.

Bricklayers: Vic Neate, Bob Gregg, Hugh Davidson, Bob Thompson, Tom Scott, Billy Ogilvie (Tommy Hill), Johnny Greenlee, Jimmy Munro (Hughie Hill 1H), Dave Coutts, Clem Cuthbert, Willie McLean

Head Coach: Billy Alexander

Fall River Marksmen: Johnny Reder, Charlie McGill, John Rebello, Bill McPherson, Johnny Caldwell, Bobby Ballantyne, Alex McNab, Werner Nilsen, Bert Patenaude, Billy Gonsalves, Tec White

Head Coach: Sam Mark

Attendance: 8,000
Referee: Jack Johnstone | Linesmen: n/a

1930/1931 Final (Game 3)
Fall River Marksmen (Fall River, MA) 2:0 Bricklayers (Chicago, IL)
April 19, 1931 | Sparta Field – Chicago, Illinois

Scoring Summary
Fall River: Bert Patenaude – 18th min.
Fall River: Gordon Burness – 2nd Half

Lineups

Bricklayers: Vic Neate, Bob Gregg, Hugh Davidson, Bob Thompson, Tom Scott, Jimmy Martin, Johnny Greenlee, Hughie Hill, Dave Coutts (Jimmy Munro 2H), Clem Cuthbert, Willie McLean

Head Coach: Billy Alexander

Fall River Marksmen: Johnny Reder, Charlie McGill, John Rebello, Bill McPherson, Johnny Caldwell, Bobby Ballantyne, Tec White, Bert Patenaude, Billy Gonsalves, Gordon Burness, Alec McNab*
*Though listed in the lineup, Alec McNab did not play, having suffered a fractured arm in a game the day before in Detroit, leaving Fall River with only 10 available players

Head Coach: Sam Mark

Attendance: 4,500
Referee: Harry Pithie | Linesmen: John W. Wood, James Leech

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1931/1932 Final
New Bedford Whalers (New Bedford, MA) 3:3 (AET) Stix, Baer & Fuller (St. Louis, MO)
New Bedford Whalers (New Bedford, MA) 5:2 Stix, Baer & Fuller (St. Louis, MO)
New Bedford Whalers win National Challenge Cup on 8-5 aggregate

NOTE: Whalers are same organization as Fall River Marksmen from previous years

1931/1932 Final (Leg 1)
New Bedford Whalers (New Bedford, MA) 3:3 (AET) Stix, Baer & Fuller (St. Louis, MO)
March 26, 1932 | Sportsman’s Park – St. Louis, Missouri

Scoring Summary
New Bedford: Werner Nilsen (Tec White) – 33rd min.
Stix: Eddie Hart (Frankie Pastor) – 34th min.
Stix: Jack O’Reilly (Lou Ahrens) – 44th min.
New Bedford: Bill McPherson – 78th min.
New Bedford: Tommy Florie (Werner Nilsen) – 108th min.
Stix: Willie McLean (Frankie Pastor) – 113th min.

Lineups

Stix, Baer & Fuller: Charley Labarge, Bob Gregg, Tom Erbe, Harry Hebberger, Bill Lehman, Elmer Benoist, Willie McLean, Eddie Hart, Jack O’Reilly, Lou Ahrens, Frankie Pastor

Head Coach: Jimmy Burke

New Bedford Whalers: William Watson, John Rebello, Tommy McMillen, Johnny Caldwell,  James Montgomerie, Bill McPherson, Tom Florie, Billy Gonsalves, Werner Nilsen, Tec White, Alec McNab

Head Coach: Sam Mark

Game Stats
Shots: Stix 13, Bew Bedford 21
Saves: Stix 9, New Bedford 4
Corners: Stix 6, New Bedford 6
Fouls: Stix 8, New Bedford 15
Offside: Stix 2, New Bedford 2
Thow Ins: Stix 69, New Bedford 64
Goal Kicks: Stix 18, New Bedford 13

Att – 7,181
Referee: James McFarlane | Linesmen: Robert Murphy, Len Zarschel

1931/1932 Final (Leg 2)
New Bedford Whalers (New Bedford, MA) 5:2 Stix, Baer & Fuller (St. Louis, MO)
April 2, 1932 | Sportsman’s Park – St. Louis, Missouri

Scoring Summary
New Bedford: Tec White (Billy Gonsalves) – 57th min.
Stix: Lou Ahrens (Elmer Benoist) – 59th min.
New Bedford: Werner Nilsen – 64th min.
New Bedford: Billy Gonsalves (Alec McNab) – 2nd Half
Stix: Willie McLean (Lou Ahrens) – 74th min.
New Bedford: Bill McPherson – 81st min.
New Bedford: Tom Florie (Alec McNab) – 2nd Half

Lineups

Stix, Baer & Fuller: Charley Labarge, Bob Gregg, Tom Erbe, Harry Hebberger, Bill Lehman, Elmer Benoist, Willie McLean (Eddie Hart), Jimmy Roe, McCarthy, Lou Ahrens, Jack O’Reilly
(Frankie Pastor)

Head Coach: Jimmy Burke

New Bedford Whalers: William Watson, John Rebello, Tommy McMillen, Johnny Caldwell, James Montgomerie, Bill McPherson, Tom Florie, Billy Gonsalves, Werner Nilsen, Tec White, Alec McNab

Head Coach: Sam Mark

Game Stats

Shots: Stix 6, Bew Bedford 27
Saves: Stix 11, New Bedford 3
Corners: Stix 3, New Bedford 8
Fouls: Stix 8, New Bedford 13
Offside: Stix 2, New Bedford 0
Thow Ins: Stix 28, New Bedford 35
Goal Kicks: Stix 32, New Bedford 6

Attendance: 7,371
Referee: James McFarlane | Linesmen: Ollie Fink, Oscar Mossman

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1932/1933 Final (Best of 3)
Stix Baer & Fuller (St. Louis, MO) 1:0 New York Americans (New York, NY)
Stix Baer & Fuller (St. Louis, MO) 2:1 New York Americans (New York, NY)
Stix, Baer & Fuller win National Challenge Cup, 2-0

1932/1933 Final (Game 1)
Stix Baer & Fuller (St. Louis, MO) 1:0 New York Americans (New York, NY)
April 16, 1933 | Sportsman’s Park – St. Louis, Missouri

Scoring Summary
Stix: Bill McLean (Jimmy Roe) – 47th min.

Lineups

Stix, Baer & Fuller: Charley Labarge (Frank Vaughan 2nd Half), Jimmy Nolan, Bill Lehman (Harry Hebberge, 2nd Half), Ollie Bohlman, Bill Watson, Bill McPherson, Bill McLean, Jimmy Roe, Werner Nilsen, Billy Gonsalves, Alec McNab

Head Coach: Tate Brady

New York: Stan Chesney, George Moorhouse, Teddy Glover, Willie Ballantyne, Bob Fleming, James Hendren, George Milne, Shamus O’Brien, George Michaels, Moritz Haeusler, Erno Schwarcz

Head Coach: Erno Schwarcz

Attendance: 15,200
Referee: David Evans | Linesmen: Robert Murphy, Oscar Mossman

NOTE: Game was played after a St. Louis Browns vs. Cleveland Indians baseball game

1932/1933 Final (Game 2)
Stix Baer & Fuller (St. Louis, MO) 2:1 New York Americans (New York, NY)
April 23, 1933 | Starlight Park – Bronx, New York

Scoring Summary
Stix: Bill McLean (Ollie Bohlman) – 15th min.
New York: George Michaels – 29th min.
Stix: Werner Nilsen (Willie McLean) – 83rd min.

Lineups

New York Americans: Stan Chesney, George Moorhouse, Teddy Glover, Willie Ballantyne, Bob Fleming, James Hendren, George Milne, Shamus O’Brien, George Michaels (Auerbach 2nd Half), Moritz Haeusler, Erno Schwarcz

Head Coach: Erno Schwarcz

Stix, Baer & Fuller: Charley Labarge, Jimmy Nolan, Bill Lehman, Ollie Bohlman, Bill Watson, Bill McPherson, Willie McLean, Jimmy Roe, Werner Nilsen, Billy Gonsalves, Alec McNab

Head Coach: Tate Brady

Attendance: 4,200
Referee: Patrick Howley | Linesmen: Ed Donaghy, William Murphy

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1933/1934 Final (Best of 3*)
Stix, Baer & Fuller (St. Louis, MO) 4:2 (AET) Pawtucket Rangers (Pawtucket, RI)
Stix, Baer & Fuller (St. Louis, MO) 2:3 Pawtucket Rangers (Pawtucket, RI)
Stix, Baer & Fuller (St. Louis, MO) 5:0 Pawtucket Rangers (Pawtucket, RI)
Stix, Baer & Fuller wins National Challenge Cup, 2-1

* In the event of a draw in Game 3, total goals would have determined a winner

1933/1934 Final (Game 1)
Stix, Baer & Fuller (St. Louis, MO) 4:2 (AET) Pawtucket Rangers (Pawtucket, RI)
April 1, 1934 | Walsh Memorial Stadium – St. Louis, Missouri

Scoring Summary
Stix: Alec McNab (Billy Gonsalves) – 4th min.
Pawtucket: Jimmy McAuley (PK) – 15th min.
Stix: Billy Gonsalves (Werner Nilsen) – 91st min.
Pawtucket: Robert McIntyre (Tom Florie) – 104th min.
Stix: Werner Nilsen – 110th min.
Stix: Eddie Flavin (Bill McPherson) – 116th min.

Lineups

Stix, Baer & Fuller: James McGowan, Jimmy Nolan, Bill Lehman, Harry Hebberger (Ollie Bohlman), Billy Watson, Bill McPherson, Willie McLean, Jimmy Roe (Eddie Flavin), Werner Nilsen, Billy Gonsalves, Alec McNab

Head Coach: Tate Brady

Pawtucket Rangers: Johnny Conroy, Donald Ferrie, Ed Czerkiewicz, Andy Auld (Sandy Park), Antone Raposa, Joe Martinelli, Tom Florie, Johnny Harvey, Walter Dick, Jimmy McAuley, Bob McIntyre

Head Coach: Teddy Butler

Missed Penalty

Stix: Billy Watson (1st Half, Saved)

Game Stats

Shots: Stix 25, Pawtucket 9
Saves: Stix 3, Pawtucket 13
Corners: Stix 17, Pawtucket 6
Fouls: Stix 2, Pawtucket 13
Offside: Stix 3, Pawtucket 0
Throw Ins: Stix 59, Pawtucket 46
Goal Kicks: Stix 18, Pawtucket 26

Attendance: 7,122
Referee: Ed Donaghy | Linesmen: Robert Murphy, James Dunn

1933/1934 Final (Game 2)
Stix, Baer & Fuller (St. Louis, MO) 2:3 Pawtucket Rangers (Pawtucket, RI)
April 8, 1934 | Coats Field – Pawtucket, Rhode Island

Scoring Summary
Pawtucket: Robert McIntyre – 15th min.
Stix: Werner Nilsen (Jimmy Roe) – 27th min.
Stix: Billy Gonsalves (Jimmy Roe) – 49th min.
Pawtucket: Robert McIntyre (Johnny Harvey) – 62nd min.
Pawtucket: Jimmy McAuley (Tom Florie) – 83rd min.

Lineups

Pawtucket Rangers: Johnny Conroy, Ed Czerkiewicz, Donald Ferrie, Joe Martinelli, Antone Raposa, Sandy Park (Andy Auld), Johnny Harvey, Walter Dick, Bob McIntyre, Jimmy McAuley, Tom Florie

Head Coach: Teddy Butler

Stix, Baer & Fuller: James McGowan, Bill Lehman, Jimmy Nolan, Bill McPherson, Billy Watson, Harry Hebberger, Alec McNab, Billy Gonsalves, Werner Nilsen, Jimmy Roe, Willie McLean

Head Coach: Tate Brady

Game Stats

Shots: Pawtucket 18, Stix 6
Fouls: Pawtucket 6, Stix 6
Corners: Pawtucket 4, Stix 3

Attendance: 4,500
Referee: William Murray | Linesmen:  Robert Murphy, Jimmy Dunn

1933/1934 Final (Game 3)
Stix, Baer & Fuller (St. Louis, MO) 5:0 Pawtucket Rangers (Pawtucket, RI)
April 16, 1934 | Walsh Memorial Stadium – St. Louis, Missouri

Scoring Summary
Stix: Billy Gonsalves (Alec McNab) – 41st min.
Stix: Billy Gonsalves (Jimmy Roe) – 55th min.
Stix: Werner Nilsen (Willie McLean) – 70th min.
Stix: Willie McLean (Alec McNab) – 80th min.
Stix: Werner Nilsen (Willie McLean) – 81st min.

Lineups

Stix, Baer & Fuller: James McGowan, Bill Lehman, Jimmy Nolan, Bill McPherson, Billy Watson, Harry Hebberger, Alec McNab, Billy Gonsalves, Werner Nilsen, Jimmy Roe, Willie McLean

Head Coach: Tate Brady

Pawtucket Rangers: Jimmy Conroy, Ed Czerkiewicz, Donald Ferrie, Joe Martinelli, Antone Raposa, Andy Auld, Johnny Harvey (Stewart), Walter Dick, Bob McIntyre, Jimmy McAuley (Sandy Park), Tom Florie

Head Coach: Teddy Butler

NOTE: First National Challenge Cup Final to be played under lights. Game was originally scheduled for April 15, 1934 during the afternoon, but heavy rain caused the postponement

Attendance: 8,000 (7,657 paid)
Referee: Thomas Crompton | Linesmen: Robert Murphy, Jimmy Dunn

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1934/1935 Final
Central Breweries (St. Louis, MO) 5:2 Pawtucket Rangers (Pawtucket, RI)
Central Breweries (St. Louis, MO) 1:1 (AET) Pawtucket Rangers (Pawtucket, RI)
Central Breweries (St. Louis, MO) 1:3 Pawtucket Rangers (Pawtucket, RI)
Central Breweries win National Challenge Cup on 7-6 aggregate

NOTE: Format for the Final was originally a Best of Three series, but the USFA switched to aggregate goals just days before the third leg was played

1934/1935 Final (Leg 1)
Central Breweries (St. Louis, MO) 5:2 Pawtucket Rangers (Pawtucket, RI)
April 28, 1935 | Walsh Memorial Stadium – St. Louis, Missouri

Scoring Summary
Central Breweries: Bert Patenaude (Bill McLean) – 28th min.
Pawtucket: Jimmy McAuley – 48th min.
Pawtucket: Antone Raposa (Johnny Harvey) – 61st min.
Central Breweries: Billy Gonsalves (Bert Patenaude) – 73rd min.
Central Breweries: Bert Patenaude (Bill McLean) – 76th min.
Central Breweries: Billy Gonsalves – 79th min.
Central Breweries: Alec McNab (PK) – 88th min.

Lineups

Central Breweries: Johnny Hamm, Maurice Kramer, Jimmy Nolan, Eddie Kane, Bill Lehman, Harry Hebberger, Alec McNab, Billy Gonsalves, Bert Patenaude, Jimmy Roe, Bill McLean

Head Coach: Andy Fredrich

Pawtucket Rangers: Sandy Park, Ed Czerkiewicz, Joe Bowden, Bill McPherson (Jimmy Smith), Antone Raposa, Joe Martinelli, Johnny Harvey, Walter Dick, Bob McIntyre, Jimmy McAuley, Frank Moniz

Head Coach: Ned Tate

Attendance: 4,500
Referee: James McFarlane | Linesmen: Robert Murphy, Oscar Mossman

1934/1935 Final (Leg 2)
Central Breweries (St. Louis, MO) 1:1 (AET) Pawtucket Rangers (Pawtucket, RI)
May 6, 1935 | Coats Field – Pawtucket, Rhode Island

Scoring Summary
Pawtucket: Walter Dick (Jimmy McAuley) – 4th min.
Central Breweries: Billy Gonsalves (Bill McLean) – 24th min.

Lineups

Pawtucket Rangers: Johnny Conroy (Sandy Park 80’), Ed Czerkiewicz, Joe Bowden, Bill McPherson, Antone Raposa, Joe Martinelli, Johnny Harvey (George Myrtle), Walter Dick, Bob McIntyre, Jimmy McAuley, Frank Moniz

Head Coach: Ned Tate

Central Breweries: Johnny Hamm, Maurice Kramer, Jimmy Nolan, Eddie Kane, Bill Lehman, Harry Hebberger, Alec McNab, Billy Gonsalves, Bert Patenaude (Frankie Pastor), Jimmy Roe, Bill McLean

Head Coach: Andy Fredrich

Attendance: 3,000
Referee: Andrew Tehel | Linesmen: R. Perry, P. Turner

1934/1935 Final (Leg 3)
Central Breweries (St. Louis, MO) 1:3 Pawtucket Rangers (Pawtucket, RI)
May 12, 1935 | Newark School Stadium – Newark, New Jersey

Scoring Summary
Central Breweries: Bill McLean (Bert Patenaude) – 20th min.
Pawtucket: Bob McIntyre – 52nd min.
Pawtucket: Walter Dick (Jimmy McAuley) – 54th min.
Pawtucket: Walter Dick (Bill McPherson) – 80th min.

Lineups

Central Breweries: Johnny Hamm, Maurice Kramer (Bob Gregg 2nd Half), Jimmy Nolan, Eddie Kane, Bill Lehman, Harry Hebberger (Ollie Bohlman, 2nd Half), Alec McNab, Billy Gonsalves, Bert Patenaude, Jimmy Roe, Bill McLean

Head Coach: Andy Fredrich

Pawtucket Rangers: Johnny Conroy, Ed Czerkiewicz, Joe Bowden, Bill McPherson, Antone Raposa, Joe Martinelli, Johnny Harvey (Jimmy Smith), Walter Dick, Bob McIntyre, Jimmy McAuley, Frank Moniz

Head Coach: Ned Tate

Attendance: 3,000
Referee: Andrew Tehel | Linesmen: Fred Coggins, JA Cation

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1935/1936 Final (2-Leg, aggregate)
German American FC (Philadelphia, PA) 2:2 Shamrocks SC (St. Louis, MO)
German American FC (Philadelphia, PA) 3:0 Shamrocks SC (St. Louis, MO)
German American FC win National Challenge Cup, 5-2 on aggregate

1935/1936 Final (Leg 1)
German American FC (Philadelphia, PA) 2:2 Shamrocks SC (St. Louis, MO)
April 26, 1936 | Walsh Memorial Stadium – St. Louis, Missouri

Scoring Summary
Shamrocks: Werner Nilsen (Billy Gonsalves) – 7th min.
German Americans: Ray Richards (Bill Fiedler) – 9th min.
Shamrocks: Werner Nilsen (Bert Patenaude) – 68th min.
German Americans: Bill Fiedler (Robert Regan) – 90th min.

Lineups

Shamrocks: Jose Rodriguez, Bill Lehman (Bob Thompson), Hugh Davidson, Eddie Kane, Billy Watson, Harry Hebberger, Alec McNab, Werner Nilsen, Bert Patenaude, Billy Gonsalves, Frankie Pastor (Jimmy Roe)

Head Coach: Bill Lehman

German Americans: Rob Denton, Fritz Stoll, Al Harker, Jimmy Crockett, Peter Pietras, Charley Altemose, Ray Richards, Bob Nichol (Robert Regan 2H), George Nemchik (Fred Lutkefedder), Bill Fiedler, Francis Ryan

Head Coach: Eddie Davis

Attendance: 3,400
Referee: Michael Boylan | Linesmen: Jimmy Dunn, Charley LaBarge

1935/1936 Final (Leg 2)
German American FC (Philadelphia, PA) 3:0 Shamrocks SC (St. Louis, MO)
May 3, 1936 | Rifle Club Grounds – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Scoring Summary
German Americans: George Nemchik (Bill Fiedler) – 25th min.
German Americans: Ray Richards – 34th min.
German Americans: George Nemchik (Bill Fiedler) – 69th min.

Lineups

German Americans: Rob Denton, Fritz Stoll, Al Harker, Jimmy Crockett, Peter Pietras, Charley Altemose, Ray Richards, Francis Ryan, George Nemchik (Fred Lutkfedder), Bill Fiedler, Sam McAlees

Head Coach: Eddie Davis

Shamrocks: Jose Rodriguez, Bill Lehman, Hugh Davidson, Eddie Kane, Billy Watson, Bob Thompson, Alec McNab, Werner Nilsen, Jimmy Roe, Billy Gonsalves, Frankie Pastor

Head Coach: Bill Lehman

Attendance: 8,000
Referee: AS Gordon | Linesmen: Walder, Oates

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1936/1937 Final (2-leg, aggregate)
New York Americans (New York, NY) 0:1 Shamrocks SC (St. Louis, MO)
New York Americans (New York, NY) 4:2 Shamrocks SC (St. Louis, MO)
New York Americans win National Challenge Cup on 4:3 aggregate

1936/1937 Final (Leg 1)
New York Americans (New York, NY) 0:1 Shamrocks SC (St. Louis, MO)
April 11, 1937 | Public Schools Stadium – St. Louis, Missouri

Scoring Summary
Shamrocks: Eddie Kane – 45th min.

Lineups

Shamrocks: John Hamm, Tom Erbe, Harry Hebberger, Eddie Begley, Billy Watson, Bill Lehman, Eddie Kane (Ray Egan), Billy Gonsalves, Werner Nilsen, Jimmy Roe, Joe Strattman

Head Coach: Alec McNab

Americans: Stan Chesney, George Moorhouse, James Hendron, Jim Smith, Joe Martinelli, John McManus, Frank Ferreira (John Crabb), Rudy Kuntner, George Michaels, Joe McManus, Ed Lennon

Head Coach: Erno Schwarcz

Game Stats

Corner Kicks: Shamrocks 3, Americans 4

Attendance: 5,083
Referee: Thomas Crompton | Linesmen: Robert Murphy, Charley LaBarge

1936/1937 Final (Leg 2)
New York Americans (New York, NY) 4:2 Shamrocks SC (St. Louis, MO)
April 18, 1937 | Starlight Park – Bronx, New York

Scoring Summary
Americans: Jim Smith (John McManus) – 3rd min.
Americans: Rudy Kuntner (John McManus) – 11th min.
Shamrocks: Billy Gonsalves – 1st Half
Shamrocks: Joe Strattman – 47th min.
Americans: George Michaels (Ed Lennon) – 57th min.
Americans: Frank Ferreira – 70th min.

Lineups

Americans: Stan Chesney, Deszoe Grosz, George Moorhouse, James Hendren, Joe Martinelli, John McManus, Jim Smith, Rudy Kuntner, George Michaels, Joe McManus (Fred Ferreira), Ed Lennon (John Crabb)

Head Coach: Erno Schwarcz

Shamrocks: John Hamm, Tom Erbe, Harry Hebberger, Eddie Begley, Billy Watson, Bill Lehman (Ray Egan), Alec McNab, Billy Gonsalves, Werner Nilsen, Jimmy Roe (Eddie Kane), Joe Strattman

Head Coach: Alec McNab

Attendance: 6,000
Referee: James Walder | Linesmen: JC Armstrong, Manuel Antonio

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1937/1938 Final (2-leg, aggregate)
Sparta Garden City (Chicago, IL) 3:0 St. Mary’s Celtic (Brooklyn, NY)
Sparta Garden City (Chicago, IL) 3:2 St. Mary’s Celtic (Brooklyn, NY)
Sparta Garden City win National Challenge Cup, 6-2 on aggregate

1937/1938 Final (Leg 1)
Sparta Garden City (Chicago, IL) 3:0 St. Mary’s Celtic (Brooklyn, NY)
April 17, 1938 | Sparta Stadium – Chicago, Illinois

Scoring Summary
Sparta: Jimmy McDermott – 12th min.
Sparta: Frank Trimmel (Baba Vlcek) – 37th min.
Sparta: Jimmy Wolf – 88th min.

Lineups

Sparta: Joe Silovsky, Tom Scott, Laddie Mrnka, Baba Tomich, Jerry Nudera, Enid Pearson, Jimmy Munro, Frank Trimmel, Jimmy McDermott (Jerry Rezek 85’), Baba Vlcek, Jimmy Wolf

Head Coach: Charles Fencl

St.  Mary’s: Duncan Othen, Alec Kelso, Ed Czerkiewicz, Caesar De Rostaing, Jimmy McGregor, (Bert Black), Alex Weir, Jim Aitken, Charlie Steele (Jack Hynes), John McEwan, Hughie Sneddon, Bill McEwan

Head Coach: ?

Attendance: 4,000
Referee: WJ Arms | Linesmen:  JW Wood, Eugene Sullivan

1937/1938 Final (Leg 2)
Sparta Garden City (Chicago, IL) 3:2 St. Mary’s Celtic (Brooklyn, NY)
April 24, 1938 | Starlight Park – Bronx, New York

Scoring Summary
Sparta: Frank Trimmel – 23rd min.
Sparta: Jimmy McDermott (Frank Trummel) – 27th min.
St.  Mary’s: Bill McEwan (John McEwan) – 58th min.
St. Mary’s: Bill McEwan (John McEwan) – 69th min.
Sparta: Jimmy McDermott (Baba Tomich) – 73rd min.

Lineups

Sparta: Joe Silovsky, Tom Scott, Laddie Mrnka, Baba Tomich, Jerry Nudera, Enid Pearson, (Bill Fraser), Jimmy Munro, Frank Trimmel, Jimmy McDermott, Baba Vlcek (Jerry Rezek), Jimmy Wolf

Head Coach: Charles Fencl

St.  Mary’s: Duncan Othen, Alec Kelso, Ed Czerkiewicz, Caesar De Rostaing, Jimmy McGregor, Alex Weir, Jim Aitken (Bert Black), Dave McEwan, John McEwan, Hughie Sneddon, Bill McEwan.

Head Coach: ?

Attendance: 10,000
Referee: Morris LeBrun | Linesmen: Graham Armstrong, Sam Gallin

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1938/1939 Final (2-leg, aggregate)
St. Mary’s Celtic (Brooklyn, NY) 1:0 Manhattan Beer (Chicago, IL)
St. Mary’s Celtic (Brooklyn, NY) 4:1 Manhattan Beer (Chicago, IL)
St. Mary’s Celtic wins National Challenge Cup, 5-1 on aggregate

1938/1939 Final (Leg 1)
St. Mary’s Celtic (Brooklyn, NY) 1:0 Manhattan Beer (Chicago, IL)
April 30, 1939 | Sparta Stadium – Chicago, Illinois

Scoring Summary
St. Mary’s: Duke Nanoski (McGuire) – 76th min.

Lineups

Manhattan Beer: Leslie Griffiths, Weck Henney, Hugh Davidson, David Rarity, Alvalino Garcia, Alec Robb, Art Garcia, Billy Gonsalves, Fabri Salcedo, Clem Cuthbert, Roy Williamson (Jimmie Lillie)

Head Coach: ?

St. Mary’s Celtic: Duncan Othen, Alec Kelso, Ed Czerkiewicz, McGuire, Bert Black, Johnny McManus, Jim Aitken, Rudy Kuntner, Duke Nanoski, Charlie Steele, Bill McEwan (Serville Mervine)

Head Coach: ?

Attendance: 5,000
Referee: James Carleton | Linesman: Eugene Sullivan, JW Wood

1938/1939 Final (Leg 2)
St. Mary’s Celtic (Brooklyn, NY) 4:1 Manhattan Beer (Chicago, IL)
May 7, 1939 | Starlight Park – Bronx, New York

Scoring Summary
St. Mary’s: Bill McEwan (Jim Aitken) – 1st min.*
Manhattan Beer: Billy Gonsalves (PK) – 18th min.
St. Mary’s: Duke Nanoski – 44th min.
St. Mary’s: Duke Nanoski – 52nd min.
St. Mary’s: Rudy Kuntner (PK) – 63rd min.

*St. Louis Post Dispatch reported Bill McEwan’s goal came at 10 seconds

Lineups

St. Mary’s Celtic: Duncan Othen, Alec Kelso, Ed Czerkiewicz, McGuire, Bert Black, Johnny McManus, Jim Aitken, Rudy Kuntner, Duke Nanoski (Karl Blomdahl), Charlie Steele, Bill McEwan (Serville Mervine)

Head Coach: ?

Manhattan Beer: Leslie Griffiths, Weck Henney, Hugh Davidson, David Rarity, Alvalino Garcia, Billy Ogilvie, Art Garcia, Billy Gonsalves, Fabri Salcedo, Clem Cuthbert (Jimmie Lillie), Alec Robb

Head Coach: ?

Sent Off

St. Mary’s: Rudy Kutner – 80th min.

Attendance: 8,000
Referee: James Carlson | Linesmen: Ed Donaghy, Fred Coggin

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1939/1940 Final (2-leg, aggregate)
Baltimore SC (Baltimore, MD) 0:0 Sparta Fallstaff (Chicago, IL)
Baltimore SC (Baltimore, MD) 2:2 Sparta Fallstaff (Chicago, IL)
Aggregate drawn 2:2, Sparta and Baltimore declared co-champions after teams could not agree on details of a tiebreaking third game

1939/1940 Final (Leg 1)
Baltimore SC (Baltimore, MD) 0:0 Sparta Fallstaff (Chicago, IL)
May 5, 1940 | Bugle Field – Baltimore, Maryland

Lineups

Baltimore SC: Gil Schuerholz, Tommy Amrhein, Leo Winterling, Charley Nixon, John Lubertine, Charley Reich, Joe Finnerty, Charles Patzsche (Bob Knoerlein 15’), Charley Ernst, Merle Law, Bill Schwanke

Head Coach: Ferd Doyle

Sparta: Joe Silovsky, Tom Scott, Laddie Mrnka, Jerry Rezek, Einar Pearson, Jerry Nudera, Al Waldron, Billy Fraser, Jimmy McDermott, Frank Trimmel, Jimmy Wolf

Head Coach: Rudy Velk

Game Stats
Shots: Baltimore 27. Sparta 10
Saves: Baltimore 10, Sparta 15
Corners: Baltimore 8, Sparta 4
Free Kicks: Baltimore 11, Sparta 12
Goal Kicks: Baltimore 20, Sparta 24
Throw-ins: Baltimore 41, Sparta 35

Attendance: 3,000
Referee: Phil Fox | Linesmen: Les Hammill, Ed Lebrun

1939/1940 Final (Leg 2)
Baltimore SC (Baltimore, MD) 2:2 Sparta Fallstaff (Chicago, IL)
May 12, 1940 | Sparta Stadium – Chicago, Illinois

NOTE: Baltimore SC refused to continue extra time after the initial 30 minutes

Scoring Summary
Baltimore – Charley Ernst 23’
Baltimore – Bill Schwanke 32’ (Finnerty)
Sparta – Billy Fraser 50’ (PK)
Sparta – Frank Trimmel 57’ (Waldron)

Lineups

Sparta: Joe Silovsky, Tom Scott, Laddie Mrnka, Jerry Rezek, Jerry Nudera, Einar Pearson, Al Waldron, Billy Fraser, Jimmy McDermott, Frank Trimmel, Jimmy Wolf | Subs: George Hamous, George Peterson

Head Coach: Rudy Velk

Baltimore SC: Gil Schuerholz, Leo Winterling, Tommy Amrhein, Charley Nixon, John Lubertine, Charley Reich, Joe Finnery, Nelson Monroe, Charley Ernst, Merle Law, Bill Schwanke

Head Coach: Ferd Doyle

Game Stats
Corners: Sparta 1, Baltimore 7

Attendance: 2,519
Referee: Phil Fox | Linesmen: Edward Sullivan, Fred Lotz

1939/1940 Final (Leg 3)
Baltimore SC (Baltimore, MD) 2:2 Sparta Fallstaff (Chicago, IL)
June 16, 1940 | Starlight Park – Bronx, New York

NOTE: Game cancelled by USFA when Baltimore demanded double the usual travel expenses and Sparta claimed they would be short players

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1940/1941 Final (2-leg, aggregate)
Pawtucket Rangers (Pawtucket, RI) 4:2 Chrysler SC (Detroit, MI)
Pawtucket Rangers (Pawtucket, RI) 4:3 (AET) Chrysler SC (Detroit, MI)
NOTE: Chrysler led 3-1 after regulation to force series extra time (Tied 5-5 on aggregate). Pawtucket scored three goals in extra time
Pawtucket Rangers win National Challenge Cup, 8-5 on aggregate after series extra time

1940/1941 Final (Leg 1)
Pawtucket Rangers (Pawtucket, RI) 4:2 Chrysler SC (Detroit, MI)
May 4, 1941 | Coates Field – Pawtucket, Rhode Island

Scoring Summary
Pawtucket: Mike Souza – 3rd min.
Chrysler: Tommy Ferrans (PK) – 1st Half
Pawtucket: Ed Valentine (Tommy Florie) – 1st Half
Pawtucket: Walter Dick – 1st Half
Chrysler: Tony Barra – 2nd Half
Pawtucket: Dave McEwan – 2nd Half

Lineups

Pawtucket Rangers: Stan Rogala, Henry Margerson, Steve Quinn, Walter Dick, Oulette, Johnny Anderson, Frank Moniz, Mike Souza (Rainone 1H), Ed Valentine, Dave McEwan, Tommy Florie

Head Coach: Steve Quinn

Chrysler: Doug Nelson, Bobby Williamson, Tommy Ferrans, Andy Clemens, John Nielsen, George Hay, Tony Barra, John Lenard (Tommy Syme), Neil Campbell, George Borg, Mark Molly

Head Coach: John McInnis

Attendance: 3,500
Referee: James Johnstone | Linesmen: PR Garrigan, A. Correire

1940/1941 Final (Leg 2)
Pawtucket Rangers (Pawtucket, RI) 4:3 (AET) Chrysler SC (Detroit, MI)
NOTE: Chrysler led 3-1 after regulation to force series extra time (Tied 5-5 on aggregate). Pawtucket scored three goals in extra time
May 11, 1941 | Chrysler Field – Detroit, Michigan

Scoring Summary
Chrysler: Neil Campbell (Mark Molly) – 1st Half
Chrysler: John Lenard (Mark Molly) – 2nd Half
Chrysler: Tony Barra – 2nd Half
Pawtucket: Ed Valentine (Dave McEwan) – 90th min.
Pawtucket: Dave McEwan (Johnny Anderson) – 97th min.
Pawtucket: Tommy Florie (Steve Quinn) – 114th min.
Pawtucket: Dave McEwan – 119th min.

Lineups

Chrysler: Herman Schmidtke, Bobby Williamson, Tommy Ferrans, Aldo Patria, John Nielsen, George Hay, Tony Barra, John Lenard, Neil Campbell, George Borg, Mark Molly | Subs: Tommy Syme, Andy Clemens

Head Coach: John McInnis

Pawtucket Rangers: Stan Rogala, Henry Margerson, Steve Quinn, Walter Dick, Oulette, Johnny Anderson, Frank Moniz, Rainone, Ed Valentine, Dave McEwan, Tommy Florie | Sub: Ed Czerkiewicz

Head Coach: Steve Quinn

Attendance: 2,500
Referee: Davey Evans | Linesmen: Jack Wilson, Bobby Campbell

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1941/1942 Final (2-leg, aggregate)
Gallatin (Pittsburgh, PA) 2:1 Pawtucket Rangers (Pawtucket, RI)
Gallatin (Pittsburgh, PA) 4:2 Pawtucket Rangers (Pawtucket, RI)
Gallatin wins the National Challenge Cup, 6-3 on aggregate

1941/1942 Final (Leg 1)
Gallatin (Pittsburgh, PA) 2:1 Pawtucket Rangers (Pawtucket, RI)
May 17, 1942 | Legion Field – Donora, Pennsylvania

Scoring Summary
Pawtucket: Ed Valentine – 27th min.
Gallatin: Charley Walters (Elgie Grant) – 36th min.
Gallatin: John Roman (Elgie Grant) – 75th min.

Lineups

Gallatin: Charlie Bedogne, Dante Villani, Alex Pascarella, John Luba, Chuck Lewis, Jimmy Harrison, John Roman, Chuck Lyons, Elgie Grant, Barney Visnich, Charley Walters

Head Coach: Harry Sickels

Pawtucket Rangers: Stan Rogala, Steve Quinn, Ed Czerkiewicz, Walter Dick, Tommy Coughlin, Ellis, Manuel Robello, Everett Norman, Ed Valentine, Frank Moniz, Johnny Travers

Head Coach: Steve Quinn

Attendance: 2,000
Referee: Steve Pucker | Linesmen: Bruno Cecotti, Frank Zadnik

1941/1942 Final (Leg 2)
Gallatin (Pittsburgh, PA) 4:2 Pawtucket Rangers (Pawtucket, RI)
May 31, 1942 | Coats Field – Pawtucket, Rhode Island

Scoring Summary
Gallatin: Elgie Grant (John Roman) – 41st min.
Pawtucket: Dave McEwan – 43rd min.
Gallatin: John Roman (Chuck Lewis) – 47th min.
Gallatin: Bernie Visnich – 55th min.
Gallatin: John Roman – 65th min.
Pawtucket: Oulette – 87th min.

Lineups

Pawtucket Rangers: Stan Rogala, Steve Quinn, Ellis, Walter Dick, Johnny Anderson (Tommy Coughlin 10’), Everett Norman, Manuel Robello (Oulette 2H), Frank Moniz, Ed Valentine, Dave McEwan, Johnny Travers

Head Coach: Steve Quinn

Gallatin: Charlie Bedogne, Dante Villani, Alex Pascarella, John Luba, Chuck Lewis, Jimmy Harrison, John Roman, Chuck Lyons, Elgie Grant, Barney Visnich, Charley Walters

Head Coach: Harry Sickels

Attendance: 2,000
Referee: Manuel Cordero | Linesmen: T. Whitaker, Pasquale Dipaolo

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1942/1943 Final
Brooklyn Hispano (Brooklyn, NY) 2:2 (after 2 OT periods) Morgan-Strasser (Pittsburgh, PA)
May 24, 1943 | Starlight Park – Bronx, New York
Match abandoned due to exhaustion and darkness after 155 minutes; would be replayed in the Bronx, New York

Scoring Summary
Morgan: Pete Pawlick (Tony Monaco) – 37th min.
Hispano: Billy Gonsalves (Ilya Westerman) – 47th min.
Hispano: Fabri Salcedo (Enrico Quinones) – 145th min.
Morgan: Felix Mitchell (Tony Monaco) – 148th min.

Lineups

Hispano: Gene Olaff, Bob Compton, Steve Hudi, Frankie Fernandez, Barnardo Barrio, Jay Brady (Morris Liss), Ilya Westerman, Billy Gonsalves, Enrico Quinones, Bert Anderson (Pete Denehan 2H), Fabri Salcedo

Head Coach: Duncan Othen

Morgan-Strasser: Albert Deyor, Mike Kuten, Aldo Donelli, Alex McKinnen, Pete Pawlick (Joe Cimerolli), Harry Pletersek, Felix Mitchell, Mike Pucker, Elgie Grant, Bernie Visnick, Tony Monaco

Head Coach: Tony Casciola

Attendance: 6,000
Referee: Leslie Kenyon | Linesmen: Sam Galin, Jiggs Donohue

1942/1943 Final (Replay)
Brooklyn Hispano (Brooklyn, NY) 3:2 Morgan-Strasser (Pittsburgh, PA)
May 30, 1943 | Starlight Park – Bronx, New York

Scoring Summary
Hispano: Billy Gonsalves (Johnny Pruha) – 32nd min.
Hispano: Fabri Salcedo (Johnny Pruha) – 35th min.
Morgan: Elgie Grant – 40th min.
Hispano: Fabri Salcedo (Ilya Westerman) – 44th min.
Morgan: Elgie Grant – 48th min.

Lineups

Hispano: Gene Olaff, Bob Compton, Steve Hudi, Frankie Fernandez, Barnardo Barrio, Jay Brady, Tony Bainlardi, Billy Gonsalves, Fabri Salcedo, Ilya Westerman (Manuel Miguez), Johnny Pruha

Head Coach: Duncan Othen

Morgan-Strasser: Albert Deyor, Mike Kuten, Aldo Donelli, Alex McKinnen, Pete Pawlick, Harry Pletersek, Felix Mitchell, Mike Pucker (Joe Cimerolli), Elgie Grant, Bernie Visnick, Tony Monaco (Cherry)

Head Coach: Tony Casciola

Attendance: 6,500
Referee: Leslie Kenyon | Linesmen: Sam Galin, Jiggs Donohue

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1943/1944 Final
Brooklyn Hispano (Brooklyn, NY) 4:0 Morgan-Strasser (Pittsburgh, PA)
May 14, 1944 | Polo Grounds – Manhattan, New York

Scoring Summary
Hispano: Fabri Salcedo (Carlos Temes) – 41st min.
Hispano: Carlos Temes (Fabri Salcedo) – 67th min.
Hispano: Billy Gonsalves (Frankie Fernandez) – 88th min.
Hispano: John Pruha (Ilya Westermann) – 89th min.

Lineups

Brooklyn Hispano: Gene Olaf, Taggart, Steve Hudi, Fr ankie Fernandez, Bernardo Barrio, Jay Brady, Jose Aja (Ilya Westermann 2H), Billy Gonsalves, Fabri Salcedo, Carlos Temes, John Pruha

Head Coach: Duncan Othen

Morgan-Strasser: Albert DiOrio, Johnny Bobish, Fred Donelli, Dan Gossett, Gordon Hart, Pete Pawlick, Felix Mitchell, Mike Pucker, Elgie Grant (Joe Cimarolli) (Stanley Urbanic), Aldo Donelli, Harry Pletersek

Head Coach: Tony Casciola

Attendance: 12,000
Referee: Harry King | Linesmen: Sam Gallin, Manuel Piri

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1944/1945 Final (2-leg, aggregate)
Brookhattan (New York, NY) 4:1 Cleveland Americans (Cleveland, OH)
Brookhattan (New York, NY) 2:1 Cleveland Americans (Cleveland, OH)
Brookhattan wins National Challenge Cup, 6-3 on aggregate

1944/1945 Final (Leg 1)
Brookhattan (New York, NY) 4:1 Cleveland Americans (Cleveland, OH)
June 10, 1945 | Starlight Park – Bronx, New York

Scoring Summary
Brookhattan: Charles Waller (Rudy Kuntner) – 18th min.
Cleveland: John Havrilik – 40th min.
Brookhattan: Al Jennette – 70th min.
Brookhattan: Al Jennette (PK) – 83rd min.
Brookhattan: Rudy Kuntner (PK) – 2nd Half

Lineups

Brookhattan: Steve Rozbora, Konciak, Charles Mellon, Carl Balaniz, Mike Briscoe, George Michaels, Charles Waller, Rudy Kuntner, George Nemchik (Bob McIntyre), Al Jennette, Bill Fisher

Head Coach: Johnny Slavin

Cleveland Americans: Chuck Tengler, Jack Thomson, Jim Fair, Johnny Berkes, Stan Smith, Ralph Davies, John Havrilik, Tom Axe, Don Ross, Bill Gabler, Elmer Schempp (Ralph Caraffi)

Head Coach: Louis Vasquez

Attendance: 3,000
Referee: Sam Galin | Linesmen: August Schmitt, Fred Coggins

1944/1945 Final (Leg 2)
Brookhattan (New York, NY) 2:1 Cleveland Americans (Cleveland, OH)
June 16, 1945 | Shaw Field – Cleveland, Ohio

Scoring Summary
Cleveland: John Havrilik (Stan Smith) – 32nd min.
Brookhattan: Rudy Kuntner – 65th min.
Brookhattan: Al Jennette – 69th min.

Lineups

Cleveland Americans: Chuck Tengler, Jack Thomson, Jim Fair, Johnny Berkes, Stan Smith, Ralph Davies, John Havrilik, Tom Axe, Don Ross, Bill Gabler, Ralph Caraffi (Elmer Schempp)

Head Coach: Louis Vasquez

Brookhattan: Steve Rozbora, Manny Lopez, Charles Mellon, Carl Balaniz, Mike Briscoe, George Michaels, Charles Waller, Rudi Kuntner, Georege Nemchik, Al Jennette, Bill Fisher (Bob McIntyre) (Johnny Slavin)

Head Coach: Johnny Slavin

Attendance: n/a
Referee: H. Schumacher | Linesmen:  n/a

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1945/1946 Final (2-leg, aggregate)
Viking AA (Chicago, IL) 1:1 Ponta Delgada (Fall River, MA)
Viking AA (Chicago, IL) 2:1 Ponta Delgada (Fall River, MA)
Viking AA wins National Challenge Cup, 3-2 on aggregate

1945/1946 Final (Leg 1)
Viking AA (Chicago, IL) 1:1 Ponta Delgada (Fall River, MA)
July 7, 1946 | Ponta Delgada Stadium – Tiverton, Rhode Island

Scoring Summary
Viking AA: Jimmy McDermott (Danny Dawson) – 2nd min.
Ponta Delgada: Ed Souza (Frank Moniz) – 1st Half

Lineups

Ponta Delgada: Walter Romanowicz, Manuel Martin, Joe Machado, Quinn, Joe Ferrara, Jesse Braga, Frank Moniz, Joe Rego, Freeman, Ed Souza, Joe Chapiga

Head Coach: Mickey Travers

Viking AA: Steve Wisniewski, Erne Kuehl (Mons Sebby), Hans Jensen, Johnnie O’Boyle, Harry Phillips, Danny Dawson, Nels Bostrom, Jeff Coombes, Jimmy McDermott, George Nemchick, Andrew Hritz (Bill List)

Head Coach: Jocke Johannsen

Attendance: 6,000
Referee: William Stoddart | Linesmen: J. Alves, T. Browder

1945/1946 Final (Leg 2)
Viking AA (Chicago, IL) 2:1 Ponta Delgada (Fall River, MA)
July 14, 1946 | Comiskey Park – Chicago, Illinois

Scoring Summary
Ponta Delgada: Joe Chapiga (Joe Rego) – 10th min.
Viking AA: Jimmy McDermott (Nels Brostrom) – 28th min.
Viking AA: Jimmy McDermott (Nels Brostrom) – 47th min.

Lineups

Viking AA: Dick Arends, Erne Kuehl, Hans Jensen, Johnnie O’Boyle, Harry Phillips, Danny Dawson (Roscoe Anderson), Nels Brostrom (Mons Sebby), Jeff Coombs, Jimmy McDermott, George Nemchek, Andrew Hritz

Head Coach: Jocke Johannsen

Ponta Delgada: Walter Romanowicz, Manuel Martin, Joe Machado, Quinn, Joe Ferreira, Jesse Braga, Frank Moniz, Ed Souza, Freeman (John Travis), Joe Rego, Joe Chapiga

Head Coach: Mickey Travers

Attendance: 5,000
Referee: Sam Gallin | Linesmen:  n/a

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1946/1947 Final (2-leg, aggregate)
Ponta Delgada (Fall River, MA) 6:1 Sparta SC (Chicago, IL)
Ponta Delgada (Fall River, MA) 3:2 Sparta SC (Chicago, IL)
Ponta Delgada win National Challenge Cup, 9-3 on aggregate

1946/1947 Final (Leg 1)
Ponta Delgada (Fall River, MA) 6:1 Sparta SC (Chicago, IL)
August 31, 1947 | Ponta Delgada Stadium – Tiverton, Rhode Island

Scoring Summary*
Sparta: Frank Quinn (??)
Ponta Delgada: John Souza (??)
Ponta Delgada: Joe Ferreira (Travis)
Ponta Delgada: Own Goal (Laddie Mrnka)
Ponta Delgada: Ed Valentine
Ponta Delgada: John Travis (??)
Ponta Delgada: Ed Souza

*Goal times and assists n/a for now

Lineups

Ponta Delgada: Walter Romanowicz, John Machado, Manuel Martin, Joe Rego, Joe Ferreira (Joeseph Michaels), Jesse Braga (Jim Delgado), Frank Moniz (Vincent Luciano), Ed Souza, Ed Valentine, John Souza, John Travis

Head Coach: Mickey Travis

Sparta: Joe Silovsky, Tom Scott, Laddie Mrnka, George Hamous, Dave Rarity, Jerry Rezek, Otto Vanek, Raffel Mejia, Frank Quinn, Henry Kuhn, Auga Ackagillar

Head Coach: Charles Fencl

Attendance: 2,172
Referee: Fred Coggins | Linesmen: n/a

1946/1947 Final (Leg 2)
Ponta Delgada (Fall River, MA) 3:2 Sparta SC (Chicago, IL)
September 7, 1947 | Sparta Stadium – Chicago, Illinois

Scoring Summary
Ponta Delgada: Jim Delgado – 25th min.
Sparta: Frank Quinn (PK) – 30th min.
Ponta Delgada: John Travis – 53rd min.
Sparta: Raffel Mejia – 85th min.
Ponta Delgada: John Travis – 88th min.

Lineups*

Sparta: Joe Silovsky, Tom Scott, Laddie Mrnka, George Hamous, Dave Rarity, Jerry Bohm, Otto Vanek, Raffel Mejia, Frank Quinn, Henry Kuhn, Carl Novak | Subs: Jimmy Wolf, Jerry Rezak, Maxie Pearlman

Head Coach: Charles Fencl

Ponta Delgada: Walter Romanowicz, John Machado, Manuel Martin, Joe Rego, Joe Ferreira, Jesse Braga, Frank Moniz, Ed Souza, Ed Valentine, John Souza, John Travis.  | Subs: Joeseph Michaels, Vincent Luciano, Jim Delgado

Head Coach: Joe Barboza

*Need further info to confirm if subs actually played in game

Attendance: 5,000
Referee: Ted Herbe | Linesmen: Harry Johnson, Frank Novakowski

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1947/1948 Final
Simpkins Ford (St. Louis, MO) 3:2 Brookhattan-Galicia (New York, NY)
October 17, 1948 | Sportsman’s Park – St. Louis, Missouri

Scoring Summary
Simpkins: Bill Bertani (Matt Mugavero) – 6th min.
Brookhattan-Galicia: Joe Gaetjens (Armando Granados) – 35th min.
Simpkins Ford: Frank Wallace – 1st Half
Brookhattan-Galicia: Rodolfo Llana (Jesus Dios) – 68th min.
Simpkins Ford: Henry Merlo (Leo Lange) – 89th min.

Lineups

Simpkins: Frank Borghi, John Galimberti, Bob Annis, Matt Mangavero, Charley Colombo, Leo Lange, Herman Mungavero (Cesar Perez) (Henry Merlo), Gino Pariani, Bill Bertani, Ed Dueker (John Barrale), Frank Wallace

Head Coach: Joe Numi

Brookhattan-Galicia: Paddy Barnes, Wally Bassett, Ed Ruddy, Rodolfo Llana, Armando Granados, Jesus Dios (Louis Burges), Robert Roure, Jesus Villanon, Joe Gaetjens (Florenzo Brandaris), Al Jennette, Alfredo Carro

Game Stats
Shots: Simpkins 25, Brookhattan 24
Saves: Simpkins 14, Brookhattan 14
Corners: Simpkins 4, Brookhattan 7
Offside: Simpkins 9, Brookhattan 1
Fouls: Simpkins 21, Brookhattan 9
Goal Kicks: Simpkins 14, Brookhattan 17

Attendance: 2,226
Referee: Jack Maher | Linesmen: Sam Dueker, Justin Keenoy

NOTE: At the time, this was the latest the championship game had been played, due to bad winter weather and Olympic trial matches during the spring and summer of 1948

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1948/1949 Final (2-leg, aggregate)
Morgan Strasser (Pittsburgh, PA) 0:1 Philadelphia Nationals (Philadelphia, PA)
Morgan Strasser (Pittsburgh, PA) 4:2 Philadelphia Nationals (Philadelphia, PA)
Morgan Strasser wins National Challenge Cup, 4-3 on aggregate

1948/1949 Final (Leg 1)
Morgan Strasser (Pittsburgh, PA) 0:1 Philadelphia Nationals (Philadelphia, PA)
May 15, 1949 | Holmes Stadium – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Scoring Summary
Nationals: Nick Kropfelder (Walter Bahr) – 35th min.

Lineups

Nationals: Gil Schuerholz, David Dick, Bob Compton, Jim Smith, Bill Knoerlein, Walter Bahr, Ed McIlveny (Jimmy Dunn) (Charley Nixon) (White), Tommy Oliver, Nick Kropfelder, Ray McFaul, John Sullivan

Head Coach: ?

Morgan Strasser: Ray Fisher, Walter Gossic, Albert DiOrio, Francis Tkach, Bill Tkach, Donald Chappel, Albert Innarelli, Gus Teyssier, Pete Klemash. Nick DiOrio, Felix Mitchell

Head Coach: Johnny Tkach

Missed Penalty
Nationals: Ed McElveny – 90th min. (Saved)

Attendance: 3,500
Referee: Jack McCahill | Linesmen: John Walder, H. Rodgers

1948/1949 Final (Leg 1)
Morgan Strasser (Pittsburgh, PA) 4:2 Philadelphia Nationals (Philadelphia, PA)
May 29, 1949 | Bridgeville Park – Bridgeville, Pennsylvania

Scoring Summary*
Morgan: Gus Teyssier – 23rd min.
Nationals: Jim Smith – 35th min.
Morgan: Nick DiOrio – 2nd Half
Morgan: Albert Innarelli – 2nd Half
Morgan: Gus Teyssier – 2nd Half
Nationals: Nick Kropfelder – 2nd Half

*Assists unknown

Lineups

Morgan Strasser: Ray Fisher, Walter Gossic, Albert DiOrio, Francis Tkach, Bill Tkach, Donald Chappel, Felix Mitchell, Gus Teyssier, Pete Klemash, Nick DiOrio, Henry Mannerling

Head Coach: Johnny Tkach

Nationals: Gil Schuerholz, David Dick, Bob Compton, Jim Smith, Bill Knoerlein, Walter Bahr, Jimmy Dunn, Tommy Oliver, Nick Kropfelder, Ray McFaul, John Sullivan

Head Coach: ?

Attendance: 1,000
Referee: Sam Galin | Henry Edwards, Stanley Indorf

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1949/1950 Final (2-leg, aggregate)
Simpkins Ford (St. Louis, MO) 2:0 Ponta Delgada (Fall River, MA)
Simpkins Ford (St. Louis, MO) 1:1 Ponta Delgada (Fall River, MA)
Simpkins Ford win National Challenge Cup, 3-1 on aggregate

1949/1950 Final (Leg 1)
Simpkins Ford (St. Louis, MO) 2:0 Ponta Delgada (Fall River, MA)
April 22, 1950 | St. Louis, Missouri

Scoring Summary
Simpkins: Gino Pariani (Frank Wallace) – 1st Half
Simpkins: Bill Bertani (Gino Pariani) – 64th min.

Lineups

Simpkins Ford: Frank Borghi, Johnny Galimberti, Bob Annis, Leo Lange, Charley Colombo, Harry Desmuke, John Randazzo, Gino Pariani, Bill Bertani, Joe Barrale, Frank Wallace
Subs: Ebby McHugh, John Stier

Head Coach: Joe Numi

Ponta Delgada: Joe Kitchen, Joe Rego, Gordon Andrews, Jesse Braga, Joe Ferreira, George DeNardo, Frank Moniz, John Travis, Ed Souza, John Souza, John Millington
Subs: Joe Medeiros, Joseph Francini

Head Coach: ?

Attendance: 2,501
Referee: Eli Korer | Linesmen: Henry Valina, Jim Moore

1949/1950 Final (Leg 2)
Simpkins Ford (St. Louis, MO) 1:1 Ponta Delgada (Fall River, MA)
May 7, 1950 | Ponta Delgada Stadium – Tiverton, Rhode Island

Scoring Summary
Ponta Delgada: Eddie Souza (PK) – 20th min.
Simpkins Ford: Buddy Marshak (Gino Pariani) – 85th min.

Lineups

Ponta Delgada: John Kitchen, Joe Rego, Gordon Andrews, Jesse Braga, Joe Ferreira (Joe Medeiros), George DeNardo, John Travis (Aldo Giannotti), Ed Souza, Frank Moniz, John Souza, John Millington

Head Coach: ?

Simpkins Ford: Frank Borghi, Johnny Galimberti, Bob Annis, Leo Lange (Matt Mungavero, Ebby McHugh), Charley Colombo, Harry Desmuke, John Randazzo, Gino Pariani, John Steir (Buddy Marshak), Joe Barrale, Frank Wallace

Head Coach: Joe Numi

Attendance: 3,310
Referee: Sam Galin | Linesmen: Manuel Texeira, Joseph Amaral

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1950/1951 Final (2-leg, aggregate)
German Hungarian SC (New York, NY) 2:4 Heidelberg SC (Pittsburgh, PA)
German Hungarian SC (New York, NY) 6:2 (AET) Heidelberg SC (Pittsburgh, PA)*
* German Hungarian SC led 4-2 at the end of regulation, forcing series extra time (tied 6-6 on aggregate)
German Hungarian SC wins National Challenge Cup, 8-6 on aggregate (after extra time)

1950/1951 Final (Leg 1)
German Hungarian SC (New York, NY) 2:4 Heidelberg SC (Pittsburgh, PA)
June 10, 1951 | Bridgeville Park – Bridgeville, Pennsylvania

Scoring Summary
German Hungarian: John Souza – 7th min.
Heidelberg: Mike Zimbicki – 17th min.
Heidelberg: Merle Utchel (PK) – 22nd min.
Heidelberg: Mike Zimbicki (Bud Utchel) – 46th min.
German Hungarian: Andy Hritz (Ed Souza) – 47th min.
Heidelberg: Mike Bobich – 2nd Half

Lineups

Heidelberg: Ray Aleski, Ray Dupilka, Tony Monaco, John Pozzi, Bud Utchel, George Fesh, Merle Utchel, Mike Zimbicki, Mike Bobich, Bernard Sypien, Johnny Nowicki
Sub: Bradford

German Hungarian: Louis Scott, Milenko Ralich, Flaherty, Wolf, Krapf, Aiello, Ed Souza, Horowitz, Andy Hritz, John Souza, Fred Klomm
Sub: Sturgess

Head Coach: Nick Mueller

Attendance: 1,000
Referee: Jack Ramous | Linesmen: J. McCahill, N. Hlad

1950/1951 Final (Leg 2)
German Hungarian SC (New York, NY) 6:2 (AET) Heidelberg SC (Pittsburgh, PA)*
* German Hungarian SC led 4-2 at the end of regulation, forcing series extra time (tied 6-6 on aggregate)
June 17, 1951 | Metropolitan Oval – Queens, New York

Scoring Summary
Heidelberg: Jack Jablonski (Bud Utchel) – 9th min.
German Hungarian: Andy Hritz – 35th min.
Heidelberg: Merle Utchel (Mike Zimbicki) – 37th min.
German Hungarian: John Souza – 65th min.
German Hungarian: Andy Hritz – 67th min.
German Hungarian: Andy Hritz – 88th min.
German Hungarian: Andy Hritz – 115th min.
German Hungarian: Ed Souza – 117th min.

Lineups

German Hungarian: Louis Scott (Charlie Bartkus 46’), Milenko Ralich, Flaherty, Wolf, Krapf, Healy, Fred Klomm, Ed Souza, Andy Hritz (Aiello), John Souza, Steve Hritz (Horowitz)

Head Coach: Nick Mueller

Heidelberg: Ray Aleski, Ray Dupilka, Tony Monaco, John Pozzi, Bud Utchel, George Fesh, Merle Utchel, Mike Zimbicki, Mike Bobich, Bernard Sypien, Jack Jablonski (Johnny Nowicki)

Head Coach: ?

Sent Off
Heidelberg: Mike Zimbicki

Missed Penalty Kick
German Hungarian: Ed Souza (missed) – 22nd min.

Attendance: 2,000
Referee: James McLean | Linesmen: Charles Ferro, Mickey McCartney

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1951/1952 Final (2-leg, aggregate)
Harmarville (Pittsburgh, PA) 3:4 Philadelphia Nationals (Philadelphia, PA)
Harmarville (Pittsburgh, PA) 4:1 (AET, 5:5 aggregate at FT) Philadelphia Nationals (Philadelphia, PA)
* Harmarville led 2-1 at the end of regulation, forcing series extra time (tied 5-5 on aggregate)
Harmarville wins National Challenge Cup, 7-5 on aggregate after extra time

1951/1952 Final (Leg 1)
Harmarville (Pittsburgh, PA) 3:4 Philadelphia Nationals (Philadelphia, PA)
June 1, 1952 | Consumer Field – Harmarville, Pennsylvania

Scoring Summary
Harmarville: Steve Grivnow (Merle Utchel) – 8th min.
Harmarville: Steve Grivnow – 18th min.
Nationals: Len Owens (Tommy Oliver) – 19th min.
Nationals: Len Owens – 37th min.
Nationals: John Cier (Jack Duffin) – 44th min.
Nationals: John Cier (Tommy Oliver) – 2nd Half
Harmarville: Sonny Yacopec – 80th min.

Lineups

Harmarville: Don Malinowski, Sonny Yacopec, Smith, Don Utchel, Merle Utchel, Lou Prucnal, Harry Pitchok, Joe Halasowski, Bob Craddock, Nick DiOrio, Steve Grivnow | Subs: Ray Bernabie, Tom Craddock

Head Coach: Johnny Mojack

Nationals: Leo Radzay (Harry Naughton), Dave Dick, Jim Reid, Jim Dunn, Bob Calquhoun, Walter Bahr, Tommy Oliver, John Cier, Len Owens, Bennie McLaughlin, Jack Duffin | Other Subs: Alex Shaw

Head Coach: ?

Sent Off
Harmarville: Merle Utchel – 2nd Half

Attendance: 3,500*
Referee: Jack Ramos, J. Moreman | Linesmen: n/a

*Pittsburgh Press listed a paid attendance of 795, Pittsburgh Post Gazette reported 3,500.

1951/1952 Final (Leg 2)
Harmarville (Pittsburgh, PA) 4:1 (AET, 5:5 aggregate at FT) Philadelphia Nationals (Philadelphia, PA)
June 8, 1952 | Holmes Field – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Scoring Summary
Nationals: Nick Kropfelder – 55th min.
Harmarville: Nick DiOrio – 80th min.
Harmarville: Sonny Yakopec – 88th min.
Harmarville: Don Utchel – 106th min.
Harmarville: Don Malinowski – 112th min.

* Assists unknown

Lineups

Nationals: Leo Radzay, Dave Dick, Jim Reid, Jim Dunn, Bob Calquhoun, Walter Bahr, John Cier (Alex Shaw), Len Owens, Nick Kropfelder, Bennie McLaughlin, Jack Duffin

Head Coach:

Harmarville: Don Malinowski, Sonny Yacopec, Ray Bernabei, Joe Halasowski, Don Utchel, Lou Prucnal, Bob Craddock, Steve Grivnow, Merle Utchel, Nick DiOrio, Harry Pitchok

Head Coach: Johnny Mojack

Attendance: n/a
Referee: Ralph Rosner | Linesmen: Harry Rogers, James Walters

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1952/1953 Final (2-leg, aggregate)
Falcons SC (Chicago, IL) 2:0 Harmarville (Pittsburgh, PA)
Falcons SC (Chicago, IL) 1:0 Harmarville (Pittsburgh, PA)
Falcons SC wins National Challenge Cup, 3-0 on aggregate

1952/1953 Final (Leg 1)
Falcons SC (Chicago, IL) 2:0 Harmarville (Pittsburgh, PA)
April 19, 1953 | Sparta Stadium – Chicago, Illinois

Scoring Summary
Falcons: Henry Grabowski (PK) – 78th min.
Falcons: Henry Grabowski – 80th min.

Lineups

Falcons: Carlos Mottes, Reginald Simpson, Frank Chwalinski, Casey Roels, Matt Krupa, Bernard Jonca, Tad Czowiecki, Adam Wolanin, Kaz Iwanicki, Ziggy Mroz, Henry Grabowski

Head Coach: Joe Jagelnick

Harmarville: Don Malinowski, Ernie Buck, Ray Bernabei, Bob Kaydic, Walt Baxter, Lou Prucnal, Steve Grivinow, Joe Halesowski, Sonny Yacopec, Nick DiOrio

Head Coach: Johnny Mojack

Missed Penalty
Falcons: Kas Mroz (Missed)

Attendance: 2,245
Referee: Henry Karcher | Linesmen: Frank Nowakowski, Jerry Ditter

1952/1953 Final (Leg 2)
Falcons SC (Chicago, IL) 1:0 Harmarville (Pittsburgh, PA)
April 26, 1953 | Consumer Field – Harmarville, Pennsylvania

Scoring Summary
Falcons: Ted Czowiecki – 15th min.

Lineups

Harmarville: Don Malinowski, Ray Bernabei, Don Utchel, Bob Kaydic, Walt Baxter, Lou Prucnal, Steve Grivinow, Joe Halesowski, Sonny Yacopec, Nick DiOrio, Harry Pletersek | Subs: Marcovich, Billy Baxter, Blackie Campanella

Head Coach: Johnny Mojack

Falcons: Carlos Mottes, Reg Simpson, Frank Stegelski, Casey Roels, Matt Krupa, Bernard Jonca, Kas Iwanicki, Henry Grabowski, Cholawicki, Ziggy Mroz, Ted Czowiecki, Joe Zyzda | Subs: Zenon Semp, Wolanin, Adamczyk, Chwalinski, Jedryas, Raymond Fryer

Head Coach: Joe Jagelnick

Sent Off
Harmarville: Bob Kadyk – 2nd Half

Game Stats
Shots on Goal: Harmarville 26, Falcons 11

Attendance: 2,000
Referee: Sam Gailin | Linesmen: Roy Bruno, Adam Nucci

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1953/1954 Final (2-leg, aggregate)
New York Americans (New York, NY) 1:1 Kutis SC (St. Louis, MO)
New York Americans (New York, NY) 2:0 Kutis SC (St. Louis, MO)
New York Americans win National Challenge Cup, 3-1 on aggregate

1953/1954 Final (Leg 1)
New York Americans (New York, NY) 1:1 Kutis SC (St. Louis, MO)
April 18, 1954 | Oakland Stadium – St. Louis, Missouri

Scoring Summary
Kutis: Rich Meiseman (Bob Rooney) – 1st min.
New York: Harry Quigley (Lloyd Monsen) – 2nd Half

Lineups

Kutis SC: Bob Burkhard, Herman Wecke, Tom Julius, Russ Murphy, Harry Keough, Bob Kehoe, Oscar Corona, Rich Meisemann, Bob Rooney, Rueben Mendoza, Tom Schultz | Subs: Hal Weigel, Al Fink, Val Pelizzaro

Head Coach: Tony Mercurio

New York Americans: Mike McGrail, Terry Springthorpe, Roy Milne, Bob Adair, John O’Connell, William McCreary, Cornelius Casey, Pat Gillespie, Harry Quigley, John Santamauro, Lloyd Monsen | Sub: Alphonso Marino

Head Coach: Erno Schwarcz

Attendance: 5,127
Referee: Prudencio Garcia | Linesmen: Tom Erbe, Stan Lutostanski

1953/1954 Final (Leg 2)
New York Americans (New York, NY) 2:0 Kutis SC (St. Louis, MO)
May 16, 1954 | Triborough Stadium – Randall’s Island, New York

Scoring Summary
New York: Harry Quigley (Lloyd Monsen) – 30th min.
New York: Cornelius Casey – 63rd min.

Lineups

New York Americans: Mike McGrail, Terry Springthorpe, Roy Milne, Alphonso Marino, John O’Connell, William McCreary, Cornelius Casey, Pat Gillespie, Harry Quigley, John Santamauro (John McDonald 2H), Lloyd Monsen

Head Coach: Erno Schwarcz

Kutis SC: Bob Burkhard, Herman Wecke (Bob Kehoe 27’), Tom Julius, Russ Murphy, Harry Keough, Ollie Bohlman, Oscar Corona, Rich Meisemann, Bob Rooney, Rueben Mendoza, Tom Schultz (Ted Kirchhofer)

Head Coach: Tony Mercurio

Attendance: 2,754
Referee: John McLean | Linesmen: James Morrison, Sam Armstrong

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1954/1955 Final
SC Eintracht (New York, NY) 2:0 Danish American SC (Los Angeles, CA)
April 24, 1955 | Rancho Cienega Stadium – Los Angeles, California

Scoring Summary
Eintracht: John Pinezich – 85th min.
Eintracht: John Pinezich – 86th min.

* Both goals had assists, players unknown

Lineups

Danish Americans: Svend Engedahl, Carl Clausen, Bud Lillie, Jimmy Agnew, Pete Gray, Kenny Fewings, Brandon Delaney, George Kay, Sven Martensen, Billy Agnew, Rolf Ganger (Hugh Johnston) (Finn Sorensen)

Head Coach: Charlie McGillivray

Eintracht: Wolfgang Rademacher, Edgar Speikmann (Deiter Grossman), Eberhard Herz, Frederick Sheerer, John Hughes, Edward Oakes, Jacob Gassen, Helmut Bicek, Karl Heintz Reutzel (John Pinezich 82’), Hans Graf, Alan King

Head Coach: Peter Schneider

Attendance: 6,000
Referee: Charles Chetcuti | Linesman: Hugh Reid, Jules Willems

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1955/1956 Final (2-leg, aggregate)
Harmarville Hurricanes (Pittsburgh, PA) 0:1 Schwaben (Chicago, IL)
Harmarville Hurricanes (Pittsburgh, PA) 3:1 (AET) Schwaben (Chicago, IL)
Harmarville Hurricanes win National Open Cup on 3:2 aggregate after extra time

1955/1956 Final (Leg 1)
Harmarville Hurricanes (Pittsburgh, PA) 0:1 Schwaben (Chicago, IL)
April 28, 1956 | Winnemac Stadium – Chicago, Illinois

Scoring Summary
Schwaben: Joe Kohlberger (Walter Juengling) – 38th min.

Lineups

Schwaben: Helmut Michel, Nick Bogner, Matt Bachmeier, Jack Ruscheinski, Egon Buechers, Lothar Wichert, Jacob Bachmeier, Felix Bachmeier, Roland Krug, Walter Juengling, Joe Kohberger

Harmarville: Don Utchel*, Sonny Yacopec, Ray Bernabei, S. Scabolini, Bob Kadyk, Walt Baxter, George Resavage, Joe Halasowski, Tom Craddock, Bob Craddock, Harry Pitchock | Subs: Don Malinowski, J. Fesh

*Don Utchel played goalkeeper while regular goalkeeper Don Malinowski was getting x-rays after injuring his toe in a hotel bath before the game. Malinowski entered game in second half.

Attendance: 941
Referee: Paul Rechnitzer | Linesmen: Nels Dehlquist, Bohdan Nakonechy

1955/1956 Final (Leg 2)
Harmarville Hurricanes (Pittsburgh, PA) 3:1 (AET) Schwaben (Chicago, IL)
* Harmarville led 2-1 at the end of regulation, forcing series extra time (tied 2-2 on aggregate)
May 6, 1956 | Consumer Field – Harmarville, Pennsylvania

Scoring Summary*
Schwaben: Joe Kohlberger – 50th min.
Harmarville: Harry Pitchok – 83rd min.
Harmarville: Tom Craddock – Time ?
Harmarville: George Resavage – 142nd min.

*assists unknown

Lineups

Harmarville: Don Malinowski, Sonny Yacopec, Ray Bernabei, Bob Kadyk, Wat Baxter, S. Scabolini, Don Utchel, Tom Craddock, Bob Craddock, Joe Halasowski (Harry Pitchock), George Resavage

Schwaben: William Benesch, Nick Bogner, Matt Bachmeier, Jack Ruschienski, Egon Buechers, Lothar Wichert, Jacob Bachmeier,  Felix Bachmeier, Roland Krug, Walter Juengling, Joe Kohlberger

Attendance: 5,000
Referee: William Rose | Linesmen: J. McCahill, J. Ramous

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1956/1957 Final (2-leg, aggregate)
Kutis SC (St. Louis, MO) 3:0 New York Hakoah (New York, NY)
Kutis SC (St. Louis, MO) 3:1 New York Hakoah (New York, NY)
Kutis SC wins National Challenge Cup, 6-1 on aggregate

1956/1957 Final (Leg 1)
Kutis SC (St. Louis, MO) 3:0 New York Hakoah (New York, NY)
March 31, 1957 | Public Schools Stadium – St. Louis, Missouri

Scoring Summary
Kutis: Bill Looby – 32nd min.
Kutis: Own Goal (Ian Huisman) – 77th min.
Kutis: Harry Keough (PK) – 81st min.

Lineups

Kutis SC: Bob Burkhard, Herman Wecke, Bob Whitehead, Russ Murphy, Harry Keough, Val Pelizzaro, Fred Vasquez, Rich Meisemann, Bob Rooney, Ruben Mendoza, Butch Cook | Subs: Bill Eppy, Bill Looby, Jim Murphy

Head Coach: Tony Mercurio

Hakoah: Bill Bell, Terry Springthorpe, Ian Huismann, Jerry Mahrer, Eddie Wauters, Silberstein, Al Sonnenblick (Dave Dorbin), Derek Nash, Lloyd Monsen, Jack Hughes, Jackie Hynes | Other subs: Harry Novisky

Head Coach: Kurt Lamm

Attendance: 4,300
Referee: Richard Griebner | Linesmen: Les Hatchard, Julio Gonzales

1956/1957 Final (Leg 2)
Kutis SC (St. Louis, MO) 3:1 New York Hakoah (New York, NY)
April 14, 1957 | Zerega Oval – Bronx, New York

Scoring Summary*
Kutis: Bill Looby – 23rd min.
Kutis: Rich Meisemann – 32nd min.
Kutis: Bob Rooney – 55th min.
Hakoah: Lloyd Monsen (PK) – 77th min.

* Assists unknown

Lineups

Hakoah: Bill Bell, Terry Springthorpe, Ian Huisman, Otto Decker, Rolf Decker, Silberstein, Al Sonnenblick, Derek Nash, Eddie Wauters, Jack Hughes, Lloyd Monsen | Subs: Jackie Hynes, Jerry Mahrer

Head Coach: Kurt Lamm

Kutis SC: Bob Burkhard, Bob Whitehead, Russ Murphy, Val Pelizzaro, Harry Keough, Bill Eppy, Rich Meisemann, Bill Looby, Bob Rooney, Ruben Mendoza, Butch Cook | Subs: James Murphy, Thomas Murphy, Fred Vasquez, Joe Carrenza

Head Coach: Tony Mercurio

Attendance: 5,000
Referee: Nils Dahlquist | Linesmen: James McLean, Samuel Armstrong

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1957/1958 Final
Pompei SC (Baltimore, MD) 1:2 (AET) Los Angeles Kickers (Los Angeles, CA)
June 8, 1958 | Kirk Avenue Stadium – Baltimore, Maryland

Scoring Summary
Los Angeles: Willie Carson – 8th min.
Pompei: Joe DeFonso – 16th min.
Los Angeles: Willie Carson – 110th min.

* Assists unknown

Lineups

Pompei SC: Cyril Hannaby, Bill Linz, Al Massaroni, John Pacclocco, Tom Quaranta, Joe Speca, Ray Surock, Bob Swinski, Joe DeFonso, Larry Surock, Jimmy Cross | Subs: Bill Bryant, George Preston, Dave Roles

Head Coach: Granville Kraft

Los Angeles Kickers: Heinz Weizenbacher, Werner Stancke, Friedel Scheerer, Eberhard Herz, Hugh Evans, Eddie Oakes, Karlheinze Dreger, Willie Carson, Al Zerhusen, Bob Berger, Ossie Tyrrell | Subs: Dave Baxter, Pat Reilly

Head Coach: Billy Jaeger

Game Stats
Shots: Pompei 28, Los Angeles 41
Saves: Pompei 17, Los Angeles 20

Attendance: 3,000 | Referee: n/a | Linesmen: n/a

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1958/1959 Final
McIlwaine Canvasbaks (Los Angeles, CA) 4:3 Fall River SC (Fall River, MA)
June 7, 1959 | Rancho Cienega Stadium – Los Angeles, California

Scoring Summary
McIlwaine: Alex O’Neill – 15th min. (Al Herman)
McIlwaine: Fred Cameron – 28th min. (Ed Davies)
McIlwaine: Fred Cameron  – 1st half (unassisted)
Fall River: William Silva – 2nd Half
Fall River: Jack Sharples – 2nd Half
Fall River: Ronnie Allison – 88th min.
McIlwaine: Al Herman – 89th min.

Lineups

McIlwaine: Ricardo Ordonez, Roy Milne, Jim Lafferty, Hugh Sloway, Bert Evans, Ed Davies, Al Herman, Helmut Bicek, Fred Cameron, Bill Steel, Alex O’Neill | Subs: Armando Lopez, Alfonso Segura, Alez Muir

Head Coach: Tony Morejohn

Fall River: Hank Noga, Mike Kenny, George DeNardo, Lou Felix, Jim Kerr, Tony Arruda, Danny Costa, Jack Sharples, William Silva, Johnny McCallum, Ron Allison | Subs: Souza

Head Coach: Charley McGill

Attendance: 3,800  | Referee:  Jack Woods | Linesmen:  n/a

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1959/1960 Final
Ukrainian Nationals (Philadelphia, PA) 5:3 (AET) Los Angeles Kickers (Los Angeles, CA)
May 29, 1960 | Edison Field – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Scoring Summary
Los Angeles: Al Zerhusen (Assist n/a) – 15th min.
Nationals: Mike itz – 20th min.
Los Angeles: Werner Staake (PK) – 1st Half
Nationals: Mike Noha – 43rd min.
Los Angeles: Eberhard Herz – 60th min.
Nationals: Mike Noha (PK) – 78th min.
Nationals: Mike Noha (Alex Falk) – 130th min.
Nationals: Mike Noha (Alex Falk) – 136th min.

Lineups

Ukrainian Nationals: Al Didriksen, Paul Varga, Ed Smolinski, Eugene Krawetz, Andy Racz, Alex Ely, Alex Ferris, Mike Noha, Mike Campo, Stanley Dlugosz, Oswald Pethon | Subs: Alex Falk, J. Sanchez

Head Coach: Walt Meducha

Los Angeles Kickers: Vic Ottoboni, Werner Staacke, Hugh Evans, Ruddy Weiss, Frank Isak, Dale Baxter, Ferdinand Habel, Eberhard Herz, Willie Carson, Billy Steel, Al Zerhusen | Subs: Ed Oakes

Head Coach: ?

Attendance: 5,500
Referee: Nels Dahlquist | Linesmen: William Steel, Jim Black

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1960/1961 Final (2-leg, aggregate)
Ukrainian Nationals (Philadelphia, PA) 2:2 United Scots (Los Angeles, CA)
Ukrainian Nationals (Philadelphia, PA) 5:2 United Scots (Los Angeles, CA)
Ukrainian Nationals win National Challenge Cup, 7-4 on aggregate

1960/1961 Final (Leg 1)
Ukrainian Nationals (Philadelphia, PA) 2:2 United Scots (Los Angeles, CA)
June 11, 1961 | Wrigley Field – Los Angeles, California

Scoring Summary
Nationals: Stanley Dlugosh – 7th min.
United Scots: Al Zerhusen – 1st Half
Nationals: Stanley Dlugosh (Herman Niss) – 2nd Half
United Scots: Al Zerhusen – 85th min.

Lineups

Nationals: n/a

United Scots: n/a

Sent Off
Ukrainian Nationals: Mike Noha – 2nd Half

Attendance: n/a
Referee: Thomas Callaghan | Linesmen: n/a

1960/1961 Final (Leg 2)
Ukrainian Nationals (Philadelphia, PA) 5:2 United Scots (Los Angeles, CA)
June 25, 1961 | McCarthy Stadium – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Scoring Summary
Nationals: Herman Niss – 1st Half
Nationals: Herman Niss – 1st Half
United Scots: John McNally – 63rd min.
Nationals: Stanley Dlugosh (Carl Yakovino) – 2nd Half
Nationals: Herman Niss – 2nd Half
Nationals: Carl Yakovino – 2nd Half
United Scots: Al Zerhusen – 88th min.

Lineups

Ukrainian Nationals: Mario Ibanez, Ivan Borodiak, Andy Racz, Eugene Krawec, Gene Vinyei, Rueben Pegorer, Herman Niss (Didriksen 2H), Richardo Mangani, Tibor Stankowicz, Carl Yakovino, Stanley Dlugosh

Head Coach: Marion Kozeniowsky

United Scots: Bob Sipovac, James McFarlane, Mike Bujic, Leif Danielson, Paddy Radcliffe, Don Cairns, Bela Zahar, Jack Carruthers, Larry Radulski, John McNally, Al Zerhusen | Subs: Roy Milne, Mike Mayer

Attendance: 6,000
Referee: Thomas Callaghan | Linesmen: Tom Smith, Bill Good

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1961/1962 Final
Hungaria SC (New York, NY) 3:0 Scots SC (San Francisco, CA)
June 17, 1962 | Eintracht Oval – Astoria, New York

Scoring Summary*
Hungaria: Andy Mate – 22nd min.
Hungaria: Steve Karsay – 39th min.
Hungaria: Andy Mate – 90th min.

* Assists unknown

Lineups

Hungaria SC: n/a

Hungaria SC roster: Ceza Henni (GK), Nick Henni, Andy Matte, Tibor Resnecki, Andy Ciotka, Joseph Csabai, Arpad Bugar, Steve Karsay, Charles Horvarth, Dominick Zsido, Joseph Pal, Dieter Albrecht, Andy Dombrowski

Head Coach: Ceza Henni

Scots SC: n/a

Scots SC roster: Bob Braghetta (GK), Ken Gibson, Jose Arrospide, Charles Denham, Bobby Falls, Bert Thomson, Matt Brown, Ian Fraser, Vince McKenna, Charles McDonald, Tim Whalen, Tommy Dawkins, Roy Cook, Bill MacFarlane, Alex O’Neill

Head Coach: John Devlin

Sent Off
Scots SC: Matt Brown – 58th min.

Attendance: 2,500
Referee: Ray Kraft | Linesmen: n/a

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1962/1963 Final
Ukrainian Nationals (Philadelphia, PA) 1:0 (AET) Armenian SC (Los Angeles, CA)
June 2, 1963 | Cambria Field – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Scoring Summary
Nationals: Mike Noha – 99th min.

*Game stopped in 115th minute when an Armenian player struck the referee after being sent off

Lineups

Ukrainian Nationals: Emil Svich, Ivan Borodiak, Andy Racz, Evhen Krawetz, Oscar Ferreyra, Alex Ely, Mike Noha, Ricardo Mangani, Ismael Ferreyra, Walter Chyzowych, Larry Oliver | Subs: Carl Yakovino

Head Coach: Svetislav Glisovic

Armenian SC: Frank Martinez, K. Mosikian, Akau, Sentoglu, Ayzazian, Misaki Topaloglu, Simon Carlickian, Gabris Yardinoglu, Leo Hovahenshian, Ralph Mosikian, Haig Kendinoglu | Subs: Kouwoumjian

Head Coach: ?

Sent Off
Armenian SC: Player Unknown – 115th min.

Missed Penalty
Ukrainian Nationals: Walter Chyzowych – 25th min.

Attendance: 4,000
Referee: Ray Kraft | Linesmen:  n/a

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1963/1964 Final (2-leg, aggregate)
Los Angeles Kickers-Victoria (Los Angeles, CA) 2:2 (AET) Ukrainian Nationals (Philadelphia, PA)
Los Angeles Kickers-Victoria (Los Angeles, CA) 2:0 Ukrainian Nationals (Philadelphia, PA)
Los Angeles Kickers-Victoria win National Challenge Cup, 4-2 on aggregate

1963/1964 Final (Leg 1)
Los Angeles Kickers-Victoria (Los Angeles, CA) 2:2 (AET) Ukrainian Nationals (Philadelphia, PA)
June 1, 1964 | Cambria Field – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Scoring Summary
Nationals: Walt Chyzowych – 19th min.
Kickers-Victoria: Manuel Abaunza – 32nd min.
Kickers-Victoria: Helmut Weiss – Extra Time (exact time unconfirmed)
Nationals: Walt Chyzowych – 118th min.

Lineups

Ukrainian Nationals: Emil Svich, Ivan Borodiak, Andy Racz, Krawetz, Paul Luna, Alex Ely, Mike Noha, Josef Marin, Ismael Ferreyra, Walter Chyzowych, Al Whetland | Subs: Klenchek, Car

Los Angeles Kickers-Victoria: Volker Bauerle, Lenhardt, Eddie Mata, Ron Mata, Bayardo Abaunza, Werner Mata, Tony Gauss, Helmut Weiss, Manuel Abaunza, Al Zerhusen, Eberhard Herz | Subs: Helio, Norushat

Attendance: 5,000
Referee: William Peter | Linesmen: n/a

1963/1964 Final (Leg 2)
Los Angeles Kickers-Victoria (Los Angeles, CA) 2:0 Ukrainian Nationals (Philadelphia, PA)
June 21, 1964 | Wrigley Field – Los Angeles, California

Scoring Summary
Kickers-Victoria: Al Zerhusen – 77th min.
Kickers-Victoria: Helmut Weiss – 83rd min.

Lineups

Kickers-Victoria: Volker Bauerle, Lenhardt, Eddie Mata, Ron Mata, Bayardo Abaunza, Werner Mata, Tony Gauss, Helmut Weiss, Al Zerhusen, Manuel Abaunza, Helio

Ukrainian Nationals: Emil Svich, Ivan Borodiak, Andy Racz, Krawetz, Paul Luna, Alex Ely, Mike Noha, Carl Yakovino, Ismael Ferreyra, Walter Chyzowych, Al Whetland

Attendance: 3,000
Referee: Henry Landauer | Linesmen: n/a

————————————————————————————————————-

1964/1965 Final (2-leg, aggregate)
Ukrainian SC (New York, NY) 1:1 Hansa (Chicago, IL)
Ukrainian SC (New York, NY) 4:1 (AET) Hansa (Chicago, IL)
Ukrainian SC win National Open Cup on 5:2 aggregate after extra time

1964/1965 Final (Leg 1)
Ukrainian SC (New York, NY) 1:1 Hansa (Chicago, IL)
June 27, 1965 | Ukrainians Field – Queens, New York

Scoring Summary
Hansa: Willy Roy – 20th min.
Ukrainian SC: Peter Smethurst (Peter Schafers) – 87th min.

Lineups

Ukrainian SC: n/a

Head Coach: Jaroslaw Kurowycky

Hansa: n/a

Head Coach: Peter Krieger

Attendance: 1,500
Referee:  n/a | Linesmen:  n/a

1964/1965 Final (Leg 2)
Ukrainian SC (New York, NY) 4:1 (AET) Hansa (Chicago, IL)
* Match tied 1-1 at the end of regulation, forcing series extra time
July 4, 1965 | Hanson Stadium – Chicago, Illinois

Scoring Summary
Hansa: Willy Roy – 53rd min.
Ukrainian: Peter Schaefer – 70th min.
Ukrainian: Peter Schaefer – 97th min.
Ukrainian: Peter Smethurst – Extra Time
Ukrainian: Walter Schmotolcha – Extra Time

Lineups

Ukrainian SC: Nelson Yableski, Joseph Machnik, Norman Young, Robert Ferrie, Mario DeMelo, Eugene Krawec, Gordon Bradley, Joseph Cap, Peter Smethurst, Walter Schmotolocha, Peter Schaefer | Subs: n/a

Head Coach: Jaroslaw Kurowycky

Hansa: H. Golambeck, Johnny Jakscht, Otto Volkmann, H. Kramer, Willie Krug, Cornel Krieger, Herman Krieger, Willie Roy, P. Krieger, Herb Gringel, H. Heichert | Subs: n/a

Head Coach: Peter Krieger

Attendance: 3,434
Referee: John Reega* | Linesmen: n/a

* Shortly after this match, John Reega passed away due to a heart attack while refereeing a Wisconsin State Cup match

————————————————————————————————————-

1965/1966 Final (2-leg, aggregate)
Ukrainian Nationals (Philadelphia, PA) 1:0 Orange County (Los Angeles, CA)
Ukrainian Nationals (Philadelphia, PA) 3:0 Orange County (Los Angeles, CA)
Ukrainian Nationals win National Challenge Cup, 4-0 on aggregate

1965/1966 Final (Leg 1)
Ukrainian Nationals (Philadelphia, PA) 1:0 Orange County (Los Angeles, CA)
May 22, 1966 | Rancho La Cienga Stadium – Los Angeles, California

Scoring Summary
Nationals: Carl Yacovino – 78th min.

Lineups

Ukrainian Nationals: n/a

Orange County: n/a

Attendance: 1,400
Referee: n/a | Linesmen: n/a

1965/1966 Final (Leg 2)
Ukrainian Nationals (Philadelphia, PA) 3:0 Orange County (Los Angeles, CA)
June 5, 1966 | Cambria Stadium – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Scoring Summary
Nationals: George Benitez (Ismael Ferreria) – 18th min.
Nationals: Carl Yacovino (PK) – 28th min.
Nationals: Henry Wagner (Carl Yacovino) – 80th min.

Lineups

Ukrainian Nationals: Wolodymyr Tarnawsky, Steve Borodiak, Bob Watson, Dave Julio, Paul Luna, Ayala, Carl Yacovino, Oscar Mendez, Ismael Ferreira, Heinz Wagner, Jorge Benitez

Head Coach: ?

Orange County: Gil Zamora, Ronald McFarland, Boris Klenchak, Ron Mata, Eddy Mata, Joe Grundtner, Sergio Mora, Werner Mata, Fred Cameron, Manuel Abuanza, Rudy Drexler

Head Coach: ?

Attendance: 3,000
Referee: n/a | Linesmen: n/a

————————————————————————————————————-

1966/1967 Final
Greek American SC (New York, NY) 4:2 Orange County (Los Angeles, CA)
July 23, 1967 | Eintracht Oval – Astoria, New York

Scoring Summary
Orange County: George Ramus – 6th min.
Greek American SC: Andy Tsalouhidis – 1st Half
Greek American SC: John Kosmidis – 71st min.
Greek American SC: John Kosmidis – 72nd min.
Greek American SC: Denis Nanos – 2nd Half
Orange County: Larry Radulski – 2nd Half

Lineups

Greek American SC: n/a

Head Coach: Alkis Panagoulias

Orange County SC: n/a

Head Coach: n/a

Attendance: 2,500
Referee: n/a | Linesmen: n/a

————————————————————————————————————-

1967/1968 Final (2-leg, aggregate)
Greek American SC (New York, NY) 1:1 Olympic SC (Chicago, IL)
Greek American SC (New York, NY) 1:0 Olympic SC (Chicago, IL)
Greek American SC wins National Challenge Cup, 2-1 on aggregate

1967/1968 Final (Leg 1)
Greek American SC (New York, NY) 1:1 Olympic SC (Chicago, IL)
July 21, 1968 | Hanson Stadium – Chicago, Illinois

Scoring Summary
Greek American SC: Denis Nanos – 48th min.
Olympic: Alex Nalmpantis – 89th min.

Lineups

Olympic: n/a

Head Coach: n/a

Greek American SC: n/a

Head Coach: Alkis Panagoulias

Attendance: n/a
Referee: Billy Rose | Linesmen: n/a

1967/1968 Final (Leg 2)
Greek American SC (New York, NY) 1:0 Olympic SC (Chicago, IL)
July 28, 1968 | Eintracht Oval – Astoria, New York
*Olympic SC protested the second leg, concerning the eligibility of a NYGA player. The protest was denied

Scoring Summary
Greek American SC: Bob Hatzos – 50th min.

Lineups

Greek American SC: n/a

Head Coach: Alkis Panagoulias

Olympic: n/a

Head Coach: n/a

Attendance: n/a
Referee: Billy Rose | Linesmen: n/a

————————————————————————————————————-

1968/1969 Final
Greek American SC (New York, NY) 1:0 Armenian SC (Los Angeles, CA)
June 29, 1969 | Rancho La Cienega Stadium – Los Angeles, California

Scoring Summary
Greek American SC: Dennis Nanos (Nick Tonorezos) – 90th min.

Lineups

Greek American SC: n/a

Head Coach: Alkis Panagoulias

Armenian SC: n/a

Head Coach: n/a

Attendance: n/a
Referee: n/a | Linesmen: n/a

————————————————————————————————————-

1969/1970 Final
Elizabeth Sport Club (Elizabeth, NJ) 2:1 Croatia SC (Los Angeles, CA)
May 3, 1970 | Downing Stadium – Randall’s Island, New York

Scoring Summary
Croatia: Ludwin Nagy – 8th min.
Elizabeth: Charles Chardin (Frank O’Donnell) – 76th min.
Elizabeth: Hector Yanez – 81st min.

Lineups

Elizabeth Sport Club: Andy Tutulic, Norbert Vollmer, Mario Gonzalez, Albert Burkhard, Billy O’Donnell, Manfred Schellscheidt, Baba Daniels, Frank O’Donnell, Heinz Teska (Gjary Sacko), Chardin Delices, Hector Yanez | Subs: Garry Sacko, Erich Neudecker, Victor Gamaldo

Head Coach: Jake Bradley

Croatian SC: n/a

Head Coach: n/a

Attendance: 2,000
Referee: n/a | Linesmen: n/a

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1970/1971 Final
New York Hota (New York, NY) 6:4 (AET) Yugoslav SC (Los Angeles, CA)
May 17, 1971 | Rancho La Cienega Stadium – Los Angeles, California

Scoring Summary
Yugoslav: Jose Bergitas – 1st Half
Hota: Paul Delano – 1st Half
Yugoslav: Jose Bergitas – 1st Half
Hota: Horst Kneissl – 1st Half
Yugoslav: Felipe Ruvalcaba – 60th min.
Hota: Karl Minor – 90th min.
Hota: Randy Mitrovic – 92nd min.
Hota: Karl Minor – Extra Time
Yugoslav: Jose Bergitas – Extra Time
Hota: Horst Kneissl – Extra Time

Lineups

Yugoslav SC: n/a

Head Coach: n/a

Hota: n/a

Head Coach: Gordon Bradley (Player/Coach)

Attendance: 4,700
Referee: n/a | Linesmen: n/a

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1971/1972 Final
Elizabeth Sport Club (Elizabeth, NJ) 1:0 Yugoslav SC (Los Angeles, CA)
May 21, 1972 | Farcher’s Grove – Union, New Jersey

Scoring Summary
Elizabeth: Walter Schmotolocha (Chardin Delices) – 22nd min.

Lineups

Elizabeth Sport Club: Andy Tutulic, Mario Gonzalez, Norbert Vollmer, Tim Feeny, Barry Matty, Abe Wolanow, Manfred Schellscheidt, Miguel Gonzalez, Chardin Delices, Gary Sacko, Walter Smotolocha | Subs: Sean Tracy, Mario Barca, George Chapla, Eric Fraser, Jerry Cerrigione, Victor Gamaldo, Mave Metchick

Head Coach: Manfred Schellscheidt (Player/Coach)

Yugoslav SC: n/a

Head Coach: n/a

Attendance: 2,000
Referee: n/a | Linesmen: n/a

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1972/1973 Final
Maccabee AC (Los Angeles, CA) 5:3 (AET) Inter-Italian SC (Cleveland, OH)
June 10, 1973 | Rancho La Cienga Stadium – Los Angeles, California

Scoring Summary
Maccabee AC: Hans Gudegast (PK) – 13th min.
Inter: Roman Rosul – 36th min.
Maccabee AC: Miguel Cuevas – 43rd min.
Inter: Vito Iozzo – 78th min.
Inter: Jim McMillan – 98th min.
Maccabee AC: Emmanuel Fesscha – 110th min.
Maccabee AC: Yaron Schmitman (Fesscha) – 103rd min.
Maccabee AC: Yaron Schmitman – 115th min.

Sent Off
Inter-Italian SC: Roman Rosul – 85th min.

Lineups

Maccabee AC: n/a

Head Coach: Max Wozniak

Inter-Italian SC: n/a

Head Coach: n/a

Attendance: 2,500
Referee: n/a | Linesmen: n/a

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1973/1974 Final
Greek American SC (New York, NY) 2:0 Croatian SC (Chicago, IL)
June 2, 1974 | Metropolitan Oval – Queens, New York

Scoring Summary
Greek American SC: Roberto Illenes (Kyrikis Fitilis) – 14th min.
Greek American SC: Tibor Vigh (Nick Tonorezos) – 75th min.

Lineups

Greek American SC: n/a

Head Coach: Nick Tonorezos

Croatian SC: n/a

Attendance: 2,000
Referee: n/a | Linesmen: n/a

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1974/1975 Final
Maccabee AC (Los Angeles, CA) 1:0 Inter-Giuliana (New York, NY)
June 15, 1975 | Murdoch Stadium – Torrance, California

Scoring Summary
Maccabee AC: Abraham Cohen – 54th min.

Lineups

Maccabee AC: n/a

Head Coach: n/a

Inter-Giuliana: n/a

Head Coach: n/a

Attendance: 2,152
Referee: n/a | Linesmen: n/a

NOTE: Game played the same afternoon as Pele’s NASL debut with New York Cosmos

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1975/1976 Final
San Francisco AC (San Francisco, CA) 1:0 Inter-Giuliana (New York, NY)
May 23, 1976 | Metropolitan Oval – Queens, New York

Scoring Summary

SFAC: Andy Ateugbu (Unassisted) – 13th min.

Lineups

San Francisco AC: n/a

Head Coach: Stephen Negoesco

Inter-Giuliana: n/a

Head Coach: n/a

Attendance: n/a
Referee: n/a | Linesmen: n/a

————————————————————————————————————-

1976/1977 Final
Maccabee AC (Los Angeles, CA) 5:0 United German Hungarians (Philadelphia, PA)
June 19, 1977 | Jackie Robinson Stadium – Los Angeles, California

Scoring Summary
Maccabee AC: Carlos Roveri – 31st min.
Maccabee AC: Abraham Cohen (PK) – 59th min.
Maccabee AC: Manuel Mena – 76th min.
Maccabee AC: Abraham Cohen – 80th min.
Maccabee AC: Meir Segal – 89th min.

Lineups

Maccabee AC: n/a

Head Coach: n/a

United German Hungarians: n/a

Head Coach: n/a

Attendance: 2,125
Referee: Klaus Kretchmer | Linesmen: n/a

————————————————————————————————————-

1977/1978 Final
Maccabee AC (Los Angeles, CA) 2:0 (AET) Vasco Da Gama (Bridgeport, CT)
July 30, 1978 | Giants Stadium – East Rutherford, New Jersey

Scoring Summary
Maccabee AC: Benny Beinstock
Maccabee AC: Meir Segal

Lineups

Maccabee AC: Chantre, Kulinscenko, Mizrahi, Rulse, Marmur, Sandoval, Abraham Cohen, Carlos Roveri, Moran (Benny Beinstock 70′), Meir Segal, Izhar Nozik

Vasco Da Gama: Martin Sabourne, Moreno, Mario Costa (Charley McCully 85′), Joe McGuigan, Ribeiro, Phillip Kydes, Alves, Francisco Silva, Lameirao, Feliciano, Antonio Teixeira (Danny Kulmanides 70′)

Attendance: 1,000
Referee: n/a | Linesmen: n/a

NOTE: Match was played before a New York Cosmos vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies NASL regular season game

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1978/1979 Final
Brooklyn Dodgers (Brooklyn, NY)* 2:1 Croatian SC (Chicago, IL)*
June 17, 1979 | Winnemac Park Stadium – Chicago, Illinois

* Croatian SC played the tournament as “Croatan SC”, due Chicago’s National Soccer League banning all ethnic names for teams a few years earlier.
* Brooklyn Dodgers were the same team/organization as the Brooklyn Italians.

Scoring Summary
Brooklyn: Michael Malenkow – 12th min.
Croatian: Mike Ivezic – 1st Half
Brooklyn: Joseph Junior (Conposio) – 38th min.

Lineups

Brooklyn Dodgers: n/a

Head Coach: Diego Pusateri

Croatian SC: n/a

Head Coach: n/a

Attendance: 1,000
Referee: n/a | Linesmen: n/a

————————————————————————————————————-

1979/1980 Final
New York Pancyprian Freedoms (New York, NY) 3:2 Maccabee AC (Los Angeles, CA)
June 15, 1980 | Metropolitan Oval – Queens, New York

Scoring Summary
New York: Mimis Papiaoannou (Unassisted) – 17th min.
Maccabee AC: Igor Beyder (Unassisted) – 19th min.
Maccabee AC: Meir Segal (Azevedo) – 30th min.
New York: Mimis Papaioannou (Unassisted) – 80th min.
New York: Nick Kritikos (Paaioannou) – 101st min.

Lineups
*Lineups listed are known players

New York Pancyprian Freedoms: Peter Myltiadous (GK), Kyriacos Moraris, Angelo Mylonas, Mimis Papaioannou, Nick Kritikos, Apostolidis

Head Coach: Mimis Papaioannou

Maccabee AC: Eddie Chantre (GK), Moshe Hoftman, Ole Mikkelson, Renato Azevedo, Alejo Escos, Igor Beyder, Meir Segal

Head Coach: Azriel Armaldes

Game Stats
Fouls:  Freedoms 27, Maccabee 20
Shots:  Freedoms 19, Maccabee 18
Offside:  Freedoms 6, Maccabee 22

Booking Summary
New York: Angelo Mylonas – 53rd min. (Yellow)

Attendance: 600
Referee: n/a | Linesmen: n/a

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1980/1981 Final
Maccabee AC (Los Angeles, CA) 5:1 Brooklyn Dodgers (Brooklyn, NY)
June 28, 1981 | Daniels Field – Los Angeles, California

Scoring Summary*
Brooklyn: Jorge Titolo (PK) – 32nd min.
Maccabee AC: Ilan Ben Dror – 37th min.
Maccabee AC: Ilan Ben Dror – 48th min.
Maccabee AC: Ilan Ben Dror – 78th min.
Maccabee AC: Miguel Brigida – 82nd min.
Maccabee AC: Tony Douglas – 86th min.

* Assists unknown

Lineups

Maccabee AC: Eddie Chantre, Pinchas Ben Zaken, Jacob Drach, Russell Hulse, Rildo, Miguel Brigida, Alejo Escos, Shanee, Ilan Ben Dror, Chirinos (Tony Douglas 83’), Igor Beyder

Head Coach: Azriel Armaldes

Brooklyn Dodgers: Paul Maxi, DaConcecion, Roitman, Nix (Scalice 45’), Sewell, Reardon, Montalto, Ulric (Donlic 70’), Jean-Michel, Jorge Titolo, Iglesias

Head Coach: ?

Attendance: 1,200
Referee: n/a | Linesmen: n/a

———————————————————————————————————-

1981/1982 Final
New York Pancyprian Freedoms (New York, NY) 4:3 (AET) Maccabee AC (Los Angeles, CA)
June 6, 1982 | Hanson Stadium – Chicago, Illinois

Scoring Summary
New York: K. Moraris – 4th min.
New York: George Touros (Moraris) – 24th min.
Maccabee AC: Igor Beyder (Tony Douglas) – 45th min.
Maccabee AC: Tony Douglas (Unassisted) – 50th min.
Maccabee AC: Tony Douglas (Afgin) – 91st min.
New York: Evagoras Christofi (Paraskeva) – 98th min.
New York: Evagoras Christofi – 108th min.

Lineups
*Lineups listed are known players

Maccabee AC: Eddie Chantre (GK), Fitzroy Samoth, Eyal Afgin, Igor Beyder, Tony Douglas

Head Coach: Azriel Armaldes

New York Pancyprian Freedoms: D. Myltiadous (GK), L. Lambrou, Soteris Yennares, Paraskeva, Evagoras Christofi, Georgre Touros, K. Moraris, Akis Nicholas

Head Coach: Mimis Papaioannou

Attendance: 1,200
Referee: n/a | Linesmen: n/a

————————————————————————————————————-

1982/1983 Final
New York Pancyprian Freedoms (New York, NY) 4:3 (AET) Kutis SC (St. Louis, MO)
July 3, 1983 | Delmar Stadium – Houston, Texas

Scoring Summary
Kutis: Steve Gauvain – 1st min.
New York: Christos Christou (PK) – 2nd min.
New York: Evagoras Christophi – 18th min.
New York: Evagoras Christophi (Nicholas) – 24th min.
Kutis: Craig Guempel – 34th min.
New York: Christos Christou (PK) – 61st min.
Kutis: Joe Eppy – 66th min.

Lineups

New York Pancyprian Freedoms: Demetris Miltiadous, Frixou, Solonos, Christoforideis, Lambros Lambrou, Petsas, Akis Nicholas, Touros, Evagoras Christophi, Christos Christou, Mark Koutsantanou | Subs: Yennaris, Yiotis Papademetriou

Head Coach: Mimis Papaioannou

Kutis SC: Paul Dueker, Dennis Bozesky, Craig Guempel, Dominic Barczewski, Jeffrey DeRouse, Joe Eppy, Steve Gauvain, Tettambel, Lux, Dan Meagher, Steve Schell | Subs: Becher, Flecke

Head Coach: Jim Henson

Attendance: 800
Referee: Paul Mikol | Linesmen: n/a

————————————————————————————————————-

1983/1984 Final
AO Krete (New York, NY) 4:2 Croatian SC (Chicago, IL)
June 24, 1984 | St. Louis Soccer Park – Fenton, Missouri

Scoring Summary
Croatian – Josip Malkoc 2′
AO Krete – Mirko Popovski 36′ (PK)
Croatian – Marinko Volarovic 44′
AO Krete – Drasko Cvetkovic 55′
AO Krete – Drasko Cvetkovic 2H
AO Krete – Mirko Popovski 81′ (unassisted)

Lineups

AO Krete: Jugoslav Lukovic, Drasko Cvetkovic, Ronald Ost, Peter Carr, Nelson, Kyder, Mirko Popovski, Hector Pedraza, Gerald McKeown, Vicente Estavillo, Jean Michael Malenkow

Head Coach: Chris Diamantis

Croatian SC: Lisica, Novak, Galovic, Mikulski, Marinko Volarevic, Zanic, Losansky, Milan Vlainic, Dosen, Josip Malkoc, Tyma (Milenko)

Head Coach: ?

Missed Penalty
Croatian SC: Drasko Cvetkovic – 68th min.

Attendance: n/a
Referee: Klaus Kretschmer | Linesmen: n/a

————————————————————————————————————-

1984/1985 Final
Greek American AC (San Francisco, CA) 2:1 Kutis SC (St. Louis, MO)
June 30, 1985 | St. Louis Soccer Park – Fenton, Missouri

Scoring Summary
Greek American AC: Salvador Bernardez (Rahimipour) – 26th min.
Greek American AC: Esmaeil Rahimipour (unassisted) – 43rd min.
Kutis SC: Tom Groark (Huber) – 73rd min.

Lineups

Greek American AC: Kardzair, Vischner, Garcia, Green, Elberse, Odiye, Salvador Bernardez, Gerard Findlay, Collins, Esmaeil Rahimpour, Andy Ategbu

Head Coach: Chris Kabourlazos

Kutis SC: Paul Dueker, Dennis Bozesky, Joe Clarke, Dominic Barczewski, Tom Groark, Larry Hulcer, Mike Gauvain, Joe Eppy, Don Huber, Steve Schell, Mike Gallo

Head Coach: Jim Henson

Attendance: n/a
Referee: Vince Mauro | Linesmen: n/a

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1985/1986 Final
Kutis SC (St. Louis, MO) 1:0 Yugoslav SC (Los Angeles, CA)
July 13, 1986 | St. Louis Soccer Park – Fenton, Missouri

Scoring Summary
Kutis SC: Ted Hantak (Unassisted) – 62nd min.

Lineups
* Lineups listed are known players

Kutis SC: Paul Dueker (GK), Joe Clarke, Dave Bozdeck, Albert Adade, Bob Matteson, Ted Hantak

Head Coach: Jim Henson

Yugoslav SC: Jusuf Gilic (GK), Miguel Lopez

Head Coach: Novak Tomich

Attendance: n/a
Referee: n/a | Linesmen: n/a

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1986/1987 Final
Club Espana (Washington DC) 0:0 (AET) Mitre Eagles (Seattle, WA)
June 21, 1987 | St. Louis Soccer Park – Fenton, Missouri
Club Espana win US Open Cup, 3-0 on penalty kicks

Penalty Summary

Club Espana: Marcos Casas-Codero (Goal), Paul Emordi (Goal), Daniel Bentancor (Goal)

Mitre Eagles: n/a (Saved), n/a (Saved), n/a (Miss)

Lineups
*Lineups listed are known players

Club Espana: Stephen Pfeil (GK), Abdulwhab Al-Khaldi, Darryl Gee, Paul Emordi, Marcos Casas-Cordero, Daniel Bentancor
Head Coach: Hugo Berly

Mitre Eagles: Craig Christopherson (GK), Stephen Engelbrick, Michael Hiatt, Eddie Krueger, Andy Churlin

Head Coach: n/a

Sent Off
Club Espana: Abdulwhab Al-Khaldi – 54th min.
Mitre Eagles: Stephen Englebrick – 54th min.

Attendance: n/a
Referee: n/a | Linesmen: n/a

*Club Espana had changed their name to the Washington Diplomats mid-tournament and later joined the American Soccer League in 1988

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1988 – Busch SC (St. Louis, MO) 2:1 (AET) Greek American AC (San Francisco, CA)
June 25, 1988 | St. Louis Soccer Park – Fenton, Missouri

Scoring Summary
Greek American AC: Michael Deleray (Jan Elberse) – 35th min.
Busch SC: Pat Olwig (Unassisted) – 71st min.
Busch SC: John Hayes (Dan Musenfechter) – 114th min.

Lineups
*Lineups listed are known players

Busch SC: Jeff Robben (GK), Greg Makowski, Mike Twellman, John Hayes, Joe Koenig, Joe Filla, Gary Amlong (Dan Musenfechter 2H), Dan Walters, Pat Olwig

Head Coach: Joel Olwig

Greek American AC: Aram Kardzair (GK), Godwin Odiye, Jan Elberse, Mike Bieto, Harris Opara, Mike Deleray

Head Coach: n/a

Attendance: n/a
Referee: n/a | Linesmen: n/a

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1988/1989 Final
HRC Kickers (St. Petersburg, FL) 2:1 (AET) Greek American Atlas SC (New York, NY)
July 8, 1989 | St. Louis Soccer Park – Fenton, Missouri

Scoring Summary
HRC Kickers: Garth Pollonais (Unassisted) – 47th min.
NYGA: John Lingos (Peter Karagiannis) – 80th min.
HRC Kickers: Gordon Singleton (Kevin Dixon) – 120th min.

Lineups

HRC Kickers: n/a

Head Coach: Jim DiNobile

New York Greek American Atlas: n/a

Head Coach: n/a

Attendance: n/a
Referee: n/a | Linesmen: n/a

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1989/1990 Final
AAC Eagles (Chicago, IL) 2:1 Brooklyn Italians (Brooklyn, NY)
July 28, 1990 | Indianapolis Soccer and Sports Center – Indianapolis, Indiana

Scoring Summary
AAC Eagles: Janusz Kiaca – 57th min.
Brooklyn Italians: Jeone Yves (Aly) – 64th min.
AAC Eagles: Peter Modrzejewski – 89th min.

Lineups

Brooklyn Italians: n/a

Head Coach: Mike Rybak

AAC Eagles: n/a

Head Coach: George Pawlak

Attendance: 3,116
Referee: n/a | Linesmen: n/a

NOTE: The Brooklyn Italians are the same team as the Brooklyn Dodgers, cup finalists in 1979 & 1981

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1990/1991 Final
Brooklyn Italians (Brooklyn, NY) 1:0 Richardson Rockets (Houston, TX)
August 10, 1991 | Brooklyn College – Brooklyn, New York

Scoring Summary
Brooklyn: Ernest Inneh (Cesar Silva) – 6th min.

Lineups

Brooklyn Italians: Dragan Radovich, Victor Ogunsanya, Ron Wiseman, Bill Manning, Valencia Digner, Emmanuel Udoh, Carlos Jaguande (Smarth 71’), Junior Superbia, Yves Jeune , Cesar Silva (Lucio Russo 86’), Ernest Inneh

Head Coach: Mike Rybak

Richardson Rockets: Brian Hall, Patrick Krejs, Wooley, Pujats, Billy Pettigrew, David Pfeil, John Reynolds, Todd Paulette, Curtis Partain (Giampaulo Pedrosa 46’), Shane Schwab (Rex Roberts 74’), Alan Pamparin

Head Coach: n/a

Cautions
Richardson: Woolley – 86th min.

Sent Off
Brooklyn: Bill Manning – 23rd min.

Attendance: n/a
Referee: Steve Olson | Linesmen: n/a

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1991/1992 Final
San Jose Oaks (San Jose, CA) 2:1 Vasco Da Gama (Bridgeport, CT)
July 11, 1992 | Kuntz Stadium – Indianapolis, Indiana

Scoring Summary
San Jose Oaks: John Hughes
San Jose Oaks: Dave Palic
Vasco Da Gama: Sheldon Neal – 80th min.

Lineups

San Jose Oaks: Eric Yamamoto, Thomas Vischer, Frank Van Den Brand Horininge, Steve Robertson, Roy Atkin, David Palic, Robert Gallo, Chris Dangerfield, Simon Ireland, John Hughes, George Pastor | Bench: Bruce Broughton, John Cairel, Matt Barreras, Timmy McEnery, Sean Blackman, Chris Ducar, Paul Lester

Head Coach: Chris Dangerfield

Vasco de Gama: Joe Didimizio, Armindo Gomes, Steve Stoud, Fernando Quieroz, Albert Portela, Julio Liconia, Joe Barrosa, Mark Price, Josh Muscandin, Sheldon Neal, Zoltan Lovrity | Bench: Ilidio Malheiro, Jose Morgado, Joe Quieroz, Del Nunes, Carlos Nasciemento, Denis Gomes

Head Coach: Ed Martins

Attendance: 2,500
Referee: Armando Orellana | Linesmen: n/a

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1992/1993 Final
CD Mexico (San Francisco, CA) 5:0 United German Hungarians (Philadelphia, PA)
July 17, 1993 | Kuntz Stadium – Indianapolis, Indiana

Scoring Summary
CD Mexico: Vladimir Moreno – 18th min.
CD Mexico: Elias Fonseca – 30th min.
CD Mexico: Jose Cid del Prado – 56th min.
CD Mexico: Jose Cid del Prado – 78th min.
CD Mexico: Elias Fonseca – 80th min.

* Assists unknown

Lineups
*Lineups listed are known players

CD Mexico: Guillermo Valadez (GK), Laudean Mariano, Vladimir Moreno, Elias Fonseca, Jose Cid del Prado

Head Coach: Salvador Lopez

United German Hungarians: Paul Centrofanti (GK), Neil Smart, Robert Wilkinson

Head Coach: n/a

Attendance: n/a
Referee: n/a | Linesmen: n/a

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1993/1994 Final
Greek American AC (San Francisco, CA) 3:0 Bavarian SC (Milwaukee, WI)
July 30, 1994 | UGH Field – Oakford, Pennsylvania

Scoring Summary
Greek American AC: Own Goal (Mike Roe) – 56th min.
Greek American AC: Mike Deleray (Tim Martin) – 60th min.
Greek American AC: Mike Deleray (Todd Brockman) – 80th min.

Lineups

Greek American AC: Kardzair, McNevin, Tim Martin, Odiye, Elberse (McBride 56’), Van Rheenen, Bravo, Todd Brockman, Wall (Petuskey 80’), Mike Deleray, Semioli

Head Coach: n/a

Bavarian SC: Jim Marshall, Tim Alioto, Arnold, Gansler, Hospel (Zabala 80’), Jim Klopp, Mike Roe, Peter Schweinert, Dan Stebbins, Jon Szczepanski, Tom Zaiss (Knight 65’)

Head Coach: Brian Tompkins

Attendance: 400
Referee: n/a | Linesmen: n/a

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1995 US Open Cup Final
Richmond Kickers (USISL Premier League) 1:1 (AET) El Paso Patriots (USISL Pro League)
August 27, 1995 | SISD Student Activities Center – El Paso, Texas
Richmond Kickers win US Open Cup, 4-2 on penalty kicks

Scoring Summary
Richmond: Rob Ukrop (Leigh Cowlishaw) – 49th min.
El Paso: Gabino Amparan (Sal Mercado) – 81st min.

Penalty Kick Shootout
Richmond: Rob Ukrop (GOAL)
El Paso: Sal Mercado (GOAL)
Richmond: Brian Bates (GOAL)
El Paso: Raul Gomez (SAVED)
Richmond: Ben Crawley (GOAL)
El Paso: Gabino Amparan (GOAL)
Richmond: Jon Hall (SAVED)
El Paso: Cesar Sosa (SAVED)
Richmond: Michael Brady (GOAL)

Lineups

El Paso Patriots: Jake Arrambide (GK), Brian O’Haver, Hector Cervantes, Gabino Amparan, Martin Arrieta, Sal Mercado, David Stewart, Rito Delgado, Steve Guardado (Raul Gomez, 45′), Rafael Nunez (Cesar Sosa, 63′), Eduardo Baeza

Head Coach: Oscar Lira

Richmond Kickers: Jeff Causey (GK), Kevin Scott, Mike Clark, Brian Bates, Khary Stockton (David Cox, 63′), Jon Hall, Brian Kamler (Michael Brady, 72′), Ben Crawley, Leigh Cowlishaw, Richie Williams, Rob Ukrop

Head Coach: Dennis Viollet

Booking Summary
Richmond: Richie Williams (Yellow) – 3rd min.
El Paso: Rito Delgado (Yellow) – 20th min.
Richmond: Rob Ukrop or Mike Clark (Yellow) – 32nd min.
Richmond: Kevin Scott (Red) – 50th min.
Richmond: Ben Crawley (Yellow) – 53rd min.
El Paso: Sal Mercado (Yellow) – 59th min.
El Paso: Eduardo Baeza (Yellow) – 79th min.
El Paso: Hector Cervantes (Red) – 83rd min.
Richmond: Jon Hall (Yellow) – 117th min.

Game Stats
Shots: El Paso 15, Richmond 29
Saves: El Paso 9, Richmond 5
Corner Kicks: El Paso 7, Richmond 6
Fouls: El Paso 21, Richmond 23
Offside: El Paso 1, Richmond 0

Attendance:  7,378
Referee: Arturo Angeles
Assistant Referees: Kevin Terry, Rogelio Valades
Weather: Breezy, Mid-90s

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1996 US Open Cup Final
D.C. United (MLS) 3:0 Rochester Raging Rhinos (A-League)
October 30, 1996 | RFK Stadium – Washington, D.C.

Scoring Summary
D.C. United: Raul Diaz Arce (Unassisted) – 45th min.
D.C. United: Eddie Pope (Tony Sanneh) – 63rd min.
D.C. United: Jamie Moreno (Tony Sanneh) – 89th min.

Lineups

D.C. United: Mark Simpson (GK), Clint Peay (David Vaudreuil 46’), Eddie Pope, Jeff Agoos (Erik Imler 71’), Mario Gori, Ritchie Williams, John Maessner (Tony Sanneh 46’), John Harkes (Brian Kamler 66’), Marco Etcheverry, Raul Diaz Arce (Steve Rammel 74’), Jaime Moreno

Head Coach: Bruce Arena

Rochester Raging Rhinos: Bill Andracki (GK), Fuseini Dauda, Yuri Smotrich, Rene Rivass, Gustavo Villagra, Henry Gutierrez, Tommy Tanner, Yogi McKay (Darrell Stuart 46’), Lenin Steenkamp, Doug Miller Hector Marinaro (Chris Kennell 46’)

Head Coach: Pat Ercoli

Booking Summary
D.C. United: Richie Williams (Yellow) – 72nd min.
D.C. United: Eddie Pope (Yellow) – 72nd min.
Rochester: Fuseini Dauda (Yellow) – 77th min.

Game Stats
n/a

Attendance: 7,234
Referee: Esse Baharast
Assistant Referees: n/a
Weather: Clear, 75 degrees

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1997 US Open Cup Final
Dallas Burn (MLS) 0:0 (AET) DC United (MLS)
October 29, 1997 | IUPUI Track & Field Stadium – Indianapolis, Indiana
Dallas Burn win US Open Cup, 4-2 on penalty kicks

Penalty Kicks Summary
Dallas: Damian (Goal)
D.C. United: Marco Etcheverry (Goal)
Dallas: Jason Kreis (Goal)
D.C. United: Raul Diaz Arce (Missed)
Dallas: Alain Sutter (Goal)
D.C. United: Jaime Moreno (Goal)
Dallas: Daniel Peinado (Goal)
D.C. United: Ben Iroha (Goal)
Dallas: Jorge Rodriguez (Goal)

Lineups

Dallas Burn: Mark Dodd (GK), Wade Webber, Tom Soehn, Brandon Pollard, Richard Farrer (Jorge Rodriguez 68), Daniel Peinado, Ted Eck, Mark Santel (Jason Kreis 100), Alain Sutter, Dante Washington, Gerell Elliott (Damian 73)

Head Coach: Dave Dir

DC United: Scott Garlick (GK) (Tom Presthus 120), David Vaudreuil, Clint Peay, Carlos Llamosa, Mario Gori, Richie Williams, Tony Sanneh (Brian Kamler 75), John Maessner (Ben Iroha 46), Marco Etcheverry, Raul Diaz Arce, Jaime Moreno

Head Coach: Bruce Arena

Booking Summary
Dallas: Mark Santel (Yellow) – 12th min.
D.C. United: Jaime Moreno (Yellow) – 70th min.
D.C. United: Marco Etcheverry (Yellow) – 95th min.
Dallas: Damian (Yellow) – 105th min.

Game Stats
Shots: D.C. 14, Dallas 20
Saves: D.C. 5, Dallas 5
Corner Kicks: D.C. 10, Dallas 4
Fouls: D.C. 29, Dallas 24
Offside: D.C. 2, Dallas 7

Attendance: 9,776
Referee: Rich Grady
Assistant Referees: Steve Olson, Michael Kennedy
Weather: Clear, Upper 40s

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1998 US Open Cup Final
Chicago Fire (MLS) 2:1 (AET) Columbus Crew (MLS)
October 30, 1998 | Soldier Field – Chicago, Illinois

Scoring Summary
Chicago: Jerzy Podbrozny (PK) – 45th min.
Columbus: Stern John (Robert Warzycha) – 53rd min.
Chicago: Frank Klopas (Ante Razov) – 99th min.

Lineups

Chicago Fire: Zach Thornton (GK), Lubos Kubik (Josh Keller 14’, Zak Isben 77’), CJ Brown, Francis Okaroh, Chris Armas, Jesse Marsch, Rich Kotschau (Frank Klopas 99’), Jerzy Podbrozny, Peter Nowak, Josh Wolff, Ante Razov

Head Coach: Bob Bradley

Columbus Crew: Juergen Sommer (GK), Michael Clark, Thomas Dooley, Ricardo Iribarren, Ansil Elcock, Robert Warzycha (Jason Farrell 78’), Andy Williams, Brian Maisonneuve (Todd Yeagley 67’), Rob Smith, Stern John, Brian McBride

Head Coach: Tom Fitzgerald

Booking Summary
Chicago: Josh Keller (Yellow) – 17th min.
Columbus: Juergen Sommer (Yellow) – 43rd min.
Chicago: Francis Okaroh (Yellow) – 60th min.
Columbus: Brian Maisonneuve (Yellow) – 60th min.
Columbus: Ansil Elcock (Yellow) – 61st min.

Game Stats
Shots: Columbus, 13, Chicago 12
Saves: Columbus 6, Chicago 5
Corner Kicks: Columbus 7, Chicago 7
Fouls: Columbus 15, Chicago 25
Offside: Columbus 1, Chicago 0

Attendance: 18,615
Referee: Arturo Angeles
Assistant Referees: Michael Kennedy, Alberto Echevrria
Weather: Cloudy, Upper 50s

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1999 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Final
Rochester Raging Rhinos (A-League) 2:0 Colorado Rapids (MLS)
September 13, 1999 | Columbus Crew Stadium – Columbus, Ohio

Scoring Summary
Rochester: Doug Miller (Bill Sedgewick) – 65th min.
Rochester: Yari Allnut (Mike Kirmse) – 90th min.

Lineups

Colorado Rapids: Ian Feuer (GK),  David Vaudreuil, Marcelo Balboa, Peter Vermes, Tim Martin (Wolde Harris 81’), Kevin Anderson (Joey DiGiamarino 58’), Matt McKeon, Ross Paule, Darren Sawatzky (Jason Bent 76’,  Jorge Dely Valdes, Paul Bravo

Head Coach: Glenn Myernick

Rochester Raging Rhinos: Pat Onstad (GK), Andrew Restrepo, Craig Demmin (Mike Kirmse 51’), Scott Schweitzer, Tim Hardy, Bill Sedgewick, Nate Daligcon (Carlos Zavala 83’), Mali Walton, Yari Allnut, Mauro Biello, Darren Tilley (Doug Miller 62’)

Head Coach: Pat Ercoli

Booking Summary
Rochester: Darren Tilley (Yellow) – 38th min.
Rochester: Doug Miller (Yellow) – 67th min.
Rochester: Nate Dalgicon (Yellow) – 69th min.
Colorado: Tim Martin (Yellow) – 79th min.

Game Stats
Shots: Rochester 10, Colorado 15
Saves: Rochester 3, Colorado 2
Corner Kicks: Rochester 4, Colorado 3
Fouls: Rochester 15, Colorado 18
Offside: Rochester 2, Colorado 3

Attendance: 4,555
Referee: Tim Weyland
Assistant Referees: Craig Lowry, Nathan Clement
Weather: Partly Cloudy – Upper 60s

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2000 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Final
Chicago Fire (MLS) 2:1 Miami Fusion (MLS)
October 21, 2000 | Soldier Field – Chicago, Illinois

Scoring Summary
Chicago: Hristo Stoitchkov (Ante Razov) – 44th min.
Chicago: Own Goal (Tyrone Marshall) – 88th min.
Miami: Welton (Roy Lassiter) – 96th+ min.

Lineups

Chicago Fire: Zach Thornton (GK), Lubos Kubik, CJ Brown, Evan Whitfield, Chris Armas, Diego Gutierrez (Tom Soehn 86′), DaMarcus Beasley, Dema Kovalenko, Peter Nowak (Jesse Marsch 84′), Hristo Stoitchkov, Ante Razov (Josh Wolff 84′)

Head Coach: Bob Bradley

Miami Fusion: Nick Rimando (GK), Tim Sahaydak, Pablo Mastroeni, Tyrone Marshall, Brian Kamler, Jeff Bilyk (Andy Williams 75′), Jay Heaps, Martin Machon, Welton, Henry Gutierrez (Roy Lassiter, 63′), Diego Serna

Head Coach: Ray Hudson

Booking Summary
Miami: Diego Serna (Yellow) – 20th min.
Chicago: CJ Brown (Yellow) – 24th min.
Miami: Welton (Yellow) – 27th min.
Miami: Jay Heaps (Yellow) – 27th min.
Miami: Jeff Bilyk (Yellow) – 36th min.
Chicago: DaMarcus Beasley (Yellow) – 48th min.
Chicago: Ante Razov (Yellow) – 55th min.
Miami: Tim Sahaydak (Yellow) – 72nd min.
Chicago: Hristo Stoichkov (Yellow) – 75th min.

Game Stats
Shots: Miami 7, Chicago 13
Saves: Miami 5, Chicago 2
Corner Kicks: Miami 2, Chicago 7
Fouls: Miami 22, Chicago 25
Offsides: Miami 0, Chicago 3

Attendance: 19,146
Referee: Kevin Stott, Scott Weyland
Assistant Referees: Jorge Reyes, Ali Saheli
Weather: Partly Cloudy – Mid 50s

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2001 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Final
Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS) 2:1 (ASDET) New England Revolution (MLS)
October 27, 2001 | Titan Stadium – Fullerton, California

Scoring Summary
New England: Wolde Harris (Unassisted) – 30th min.
Los Angeles: Ezra Hendrickson (Greg Vanney) – 70th min.
Los Angeles: Danny Califf (Cobi Jones) – 92nd min.

Lineups

Los Angeles Galaxy: Kevin Hartman (GK), Ezra Hendrickson, Danny Califf, Greg Vanney, Paul Caligiuri (Brian Mullan 64’), Peter Vagenas, Mauricio Cienfuegos, Simon Elliott, Adam Frye, Cobi Jones, Sasha Victorine (Alexi Lalas 91’)

Head Coach: Sigi Schmid

New England Revolution: Jose Fernandez (GK), Leo Cullen, Mauricio Wright, Jay Heaps, Joey Franchino, Leonel Alvarez, Cate, Braeden Cloutier, Nick Downing (Ted Chronopoulos 78’), Andy Williams (Alan Woods 61’), Wolde Harris (William Sunsing 68)

Head Coach: Fernando Clavijo

Booking Summary
Los Angeles: Danny Califf (Yellow) – 17th min.
New England: Jay Heaps (Red) – 88th min.
Los Angeles: Adam Frye (Yellow) – 89th min.

Game Stats
Shots: New England 8, Los Angeles 20
Saves: New England 6, Los Angeles 2
Corner Kicks: New England 0, Los Angeles 8
Fouls: New England 10, Los Angeles 12
Offsides: New England 2, Los Angeles 3

Attendance: 4,195
Referee: Paul Tamberino
Assistant Referees: Craig Lowry, Robert Fereday, Kevin Stott (4th)
Weather: Overcast

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2002 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Final
Columbus Crew (MLS) 1:0 Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS)
October 24, 2002 | Columbus Crew Stadium – Columbus, Ohio

Scoring Summary
Columbus: Freddy Garcia (Brian West) – 30th min.

Lineups

Los Angeles Galaxy: Matt Reis (GK), Ezra Hendrickson, Alexi Lalas (Mauricio Cienfuegos ’76), Danny Califf, Tyrone Marshall, Sasha Victorine, Peter Vagenas (Brian Mullan ’86), Cobi Jones, Simon Elliott, Carlos Ruiz, Chris Albright (Alejandro Moreno ’59)

Head Coach: Sigi Schmid

Columbus Crew: Jon Busch (GK), Mike Clark, Chad McCarty, Brian Dunseth, Eric Denton, Duncan Oughton, Brian Maisonneuve, Jeff Cunningham (Dante Washington ’90), Freddy Garcia (Daniel Torres ’81), Brian West (Kyle Martino ‘65), Brian McBride

Head Coach: Greg Andrulis

Booking Summary
Los Angeles: Carlos Ruiz (Yellow) – 8th min.
Columbus: Mike Clark (Yellow) – 43rd min.
Columbus: Chad McCarty (Yellow) – 48th min.
Columbus: Chad McCarty (Red) – 83rd min.

Game Stats
Shots: Los Angeles 19, Columbus 10
Saves: Los Angeles 4, Columbus 4
Corner Kicks: Los Angeles 4, Columbus 4
Fouls: Los Angeles 13, Columbus 21
Offsides: Los Angeles 1, Columbus 1

Attendance: 6,054
Referee: Brian Hall
Assistant Referees: Craig Lowry, Steven Davidson, Ricardo Salazar (4th)
Weather: Clear, Cold

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2003 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Final
Chicago Fire (MLS) 1:0 MetroStars (MLS)
October 15, 2003 | Giants Stadium – East Rutherford, New Jersey

Scoring Summary
Chicago: Damani Ralph (Evan Whitfield) – 68th min.

Lineups

Chicago Fire: Zach Thornton (GK), Kelly Gray, Jim Curtin, Carlos Bocanegra, Evan Whitfield, Chris Armas, DaMarcus Beasley, Jesse Marsch, Orlando Perez (Andy Williams 66’), Damani Ralph, Ante Razov

Head Coach: Dave Sarachan

MetroStars: Jonny Walker (GK), Chris Leitch, Steve Jolley, Eddie Pope, Edgar Bartolomeu, Richie Williams (Mark Lisi 78’), Ricardo Clark, Amado Guevara, Eddie Gaven, Andrzej Juskowiak (John Wolyniec 69’), Clint Mathis (Mike Magee 76’)

Head Coach: Bob Bradley

Booking Summary
Chicago: Jesse Marsch (Yellow) – 16th min.
Metrostars: Edgar Bartolomeu (Yellow) – 50th min.
Metrostars: Clint Mathis (Yellow) – 58th min.
Chicago: Andy Williams (Yellow) – 89th min.

Game Stats
Shots: Chicago 8, Metrostars 10
Saves: Chicago 2, Metrostars 3
Corner Kicks: Chicago 2, Metrostars 6
Fouls: Chicago 17, Metrostars 16
Offsides: Chicago 3, Metrostars 5

Attendance: 5,183
Referee: Kevin Stott
Assistant Referees: Nathan Clement, Craig Lowery, Alex Prus (4th)
Weather: Partly Cloudy – 55 degrees

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2004 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Final
Kansas City Wizards (MLS) 1:0 (ASDET) Chicago Fire (MLS)
September 22, 2004 | Arrowhead Stadium – Kansas City, Missouri

Scoring Summary
Kansas City: Igor Simutenkov (Unassisted) – 95th min.

Lineups

Kansas City Wizards: Tony Meola (GK), Alex Zotinca, Jimmy Conrad, Nick Garcia, Jose Burciaga Jr., Francisco Gomez (Igor Simutenkov 46′), Jack Jewsbury (Taylor Graham 68′), Kerry Zavagnin, Diego Gutierrez, Josh Wolff, Davy Arnaud

Head Coach: Bob Gansler

Chicago Fire: Henry Ring (GK), C.J. Brown, Jim Curtin, Evan Whitfield, Kelly Gray, Logan Pause (Chris Armas 88′), Jesse Marsch, Andy Williams, Dipsy Selolwane, Nate Jaqua, Damani Ralph.

Head Coach: Dave Sarachan

Booking Summary
Chicago: Logan Pause (Yellow) – 21st min.
Chicago: Diego Gutierrez (Yellow) – 80th min.

Game Stats
Shots: Chicago 9, Kansas City 15
Saves: Chicago 4, Kansas City 1
Corner Kicks: Chicago 8, Kansas City 1
Fouls: Chicago 25, Kansas City 16
Offsides: Chicago 2, Kansas City 4

Attendance: 8,819
Referee: Terry Vaughn
Linesmen: Nathan Clement, Greg Barkey, Michael Kennedy (4th)
Weather: Clear, Mid-70s

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2005 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Final
Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS) 1:0 FC Dallas (MLS)
September 28, 2005 | The Home Depot Center – Carson, California

Scoring Summary
Los Angeles: Herculez Gomez (Chris Albright) – 25th min.

Lineups

Los Angeles Galaxy: Kevin Hartman (GK), Chris Albright, Ugo Ihemelu, Tyrone Marshall, Todd Dunivant, Cobi Jones, Marcelo Saragosa, Peter Vagenas, Landon Donovan, Joseph Ngwenya (Alan Gordon 90’), Herculez Gomez (Michael Umana 90’)

Head Coach: Steve Sampson

FC Dallas: Scott Garlick (GK), Bobby Rhine (Steve Jolley 86’), Clarence Goodson, Greg Vanney, David Wagenfuhr,Arturo Alvarez (Abe Thompson 69’), Ronnie O’Brien (Oscar Pareja 53’), Carey Talley (Aaron Pitchkolan 54’), Mark Wilson, Ramon Nunez, Roberto Mina

Head Coach: Colin Clarke

Booking Summary
Dallas: Bobby Rhine (Yellow) – 9th min.
Dallas: Clarence Goodson (Yellow) – 59th min.
Dallas: Mark Wilson (Yellow) – 59th min.
Los Angeles: Joseph Ngwenya (Yellow) – 59th min.
Los Angeles: Herculez Gomez (Yellow) – 60th min.

Game Stats
Shots: Dallas 9, Los Angeles 18
Saves: Dallas 6, Los Angeles 1
Corner Kicks: Dallas 6, Los Angeles 8
Fouls: Dallas 23, Los Angeles 16
Offsides: Dallas 0, Los Angeles 4

Attendance: 10,000*
Referee: Alex Prus
Assistant Referees: Nathan Clement, Kermit Quisenberry
Weather: Clear – 85 degrees

* Due to the midweek gameday, the Home Depot Center’s attendance was limited to 10,000 due to a local ordinance

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2006 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Final
Chicago Fire (MLS) 3:1 Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS)
September 27, 2006 | Toyota Park – Bridgeview, Illinois

Scoring Summary
Chicago: Nate Jaqua (Andy Herron) – 10th min.
Chicago: Andy Herron (Justin Mapp) – 16th min.
Los Angeles: Alan Gordon (Unassisted) – 51st min.
Chicago: Thiago (Tony Sanneh) – 88th min.

Lineups

Chicago Fire: Matt Pickens (GK), CJ Brown, Tony Sanneh, Gonzalo Segares, Nate Jaqua, Diego Gutierrez, Justin Mapp (Thiago 85), Logan Pause, Ivan Guerrero, Chris Rolfe (Jim Curtin 91+), Andy Herron (Dasan Robinson 82)

Head Coach: Dave Sarachan

Los Angeles Galaxy: Kevin Hartman (GK), Chris Albright, Ugo Ihemelu (Herculez Gomez 77), Tyrone Marshall, Ante Jazic, Cobi Jones (Quavas Kirk 72), Paulo Nagamura, Peter Vagenas, Santino Quaranta (Josh Gardner 88), Alan Gordon, Landon Donovan

Head Coach: Frank Yallop

Booking Summary
Los Angeles: Chris Albright (Yellow) – 24th min.
Los Angeles: Paulo Nagamura (Yellow) – 52nd min.
Chicago: Matt Pickens (Yellow) – 52nd min.
Chicago: Diego Gutierrez (Yellow) – 59th min.
Los Angeles: Santino Quaranta (Yellow) – 70th min.
Chicago: Diego Gutierrez (Red) – 89th min.

Game Stats
Shots: Los Angeles 14, Chicago 13
Saves: Los Angeles 3, Chicago 2
Corner Kicks: Los Angeles 6, Chicago 2
Fouls: Los Angeles 25, Chicago 14
Offsides: Los Angeles 1, Chicago 1

Attendance: 8,185
Referee: Terry Vaughn
Assistant Referees: Chris Strickland, Richard Eddy, Michael Kennedy (4th)
Weather: Cloudy – 59 degrees

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2007 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Final
New England Revolution (MLS) 3:2 FC Dallas (MLS)
October 3, 2007 | Pizza Hut Park – Frisco, Texas

Scoring Summary
New England: Pat Noonan (Unassisted) – 21st min.
FC Dallas: Arturo Alvarez (David Wagenfuhr) – 30th min.
New England: Taylor Twellman (Pat Noonan) – 41st min.
New England: Wells Thompson (Pat Noonan) – 57th min.
FC Dallas: Abe Thompson (Clarence Goodson) – 64th min.

Lineups

FC Dallas: Dario Sala (GK), David Wagenfuhr (Kenny Cooper 76’), Clarence Goodson, Adrian Serioux, Drew Moor, Dax McCarty, Pablo Ricchetti (Alex Yi 46’) (Abe Thompson 63’), Juan Toja, Dominic Oduro, Carlos Ruiz, Arturo Alvarez

Head Coach: Steve Morrow

New England Revolution: Matt Reis (GK), Jay Heaps, Michael Parkhurst, James Riley, Andy Dorman, Jeff Larentowicz, Steve Ralston, Khano Smith, Wells Thompson (Adam Cristman 78’), Pat Noonan, Taylor Twellman

Head Coach: Steve Nicol

Booking Summary
New England: Jeff Larentowicz (Yellow) – 74th min.
New England: James Riley (Yellow) – 86th min.

Game Stats
Shots: New England 13, FC Dallas 12
Saves: New England 2, FC Dallas 3
Corner Kicks: New England 5, FC Dallas 4
Fouls: New England 13, FC Dallas 16
Offsides: New England 3, FC Dallas 7

Attendance: 10,618
Referee: Alex Prus
Assistant Referees: George Gansner, Kermit Quisenberry, Terry Vaughn (4th)
Weather: Warm

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2008 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Final
D.C. United (MLS) 2:1 Charleston Battery (USL First Division)
September 3, 2008 | RFK Stadium – Washington DC

Scoring Summary
D.C. United: Luciano Emilio (Unassisted) – 4th min.
Charleston: Ian Fuller (Christopher Williams) – 10th min.
D.C. United: Fred (Clyde Simms) – 50th min.

Lineups

D.C. United: Louis Crayton (GK), Marc Burch, Devon McTavish, Gonzalo Martinez, Bryan Namoff, Joe Vide (Fred, 40’), Ivan Guerrero, Clyde Simms, Santino Quaranta, Luciano Emilio (Rod Dyachenko, 7’, Marcelo Gallardo, 80’), Jaime Moreno (Ryan Cordeiro, 92’+)

Head Coach: Tom Soehn

Charleston Battery: Dusty Hudock (GK), Nelson Akwari, Kevin Nylen, Marco Reda, John Wilson; Osvaldo Alonso, Chris Williams (Darren Spicer, 73’), Stephanie Armstrong (David Kenga, 82’), Lazo Alavanja, Ian Fuller (Aaron King, 80’), Randi Patterson

Head Coach: Mike Anhaeuser

Booking Summary
Charleston: Kevin Nylen (Yellow) – 33rd min.
D.C. United: Gonzalo Martinez (Yellow) – 34th min.
D.C. United: Clyde Simms (Yellow) – 46th min.
Charleston: Osvaldo Alonso (Yellow) – 62nd min.

Game Stats
Shots: Charleston 11, D.C. United 12
Saves: Charleston 3, D.C. United 1
Corner Kicks: Charleston 7, D.C. United 2
Fouls: Charleston 12, D.C. United 13
Offsides: Charleston 4, D.C. United 4

Attendance: 8,212
Referee: Mark Geiger
Assistant Referees: Gregory Barkey, Robert Fereday, Andrew Chapin (4th)
Weather: Clear – 87 degrees

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2009 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Final
D.C. United (MLS) 1:2 Seattle Sounders FC (MLS)
September 2, 2009 | RFK Stadium – Washington D.C.

Scoring Summary
Seattle: Fredy Montero (Unassisted) – 67th min.
Seattle: Roger Levesque (Sebastien Le Toux) – 86th min.
D.C. United: Clyde Simms (Rodney Wallace) – 89th min.

Lineups

D.C. United: Josh Wicks (GK), Marc Burch, Dejan Jakovic, Fred (Santino Quaranta 46’),Christian Gomez (Milos Kocic (GK) 71’),Luciano Emilio, Chris Pontius, Ben Olsen (Rodney Wallace 82’),Clyde Simms, Bryan Namoff, Jaime Moreno

Head Coach: Tom Soehn

Seattle Sounders FC: Kasey Keller (GK),  Patrick Ianni, Tyson Wahl, Osvaldo Alonso, James Riley, Peter Vagenas, Sebastien Le Toux,  Freddie Ljungberg,   Steve Zakuani (Roger Levesque 74’), Fredy Montero (Brad Evans 78’), Leonardo Gonzalez

Head Coach: Sigi Schmid

Booking Summary
Seattle: Patrick Ianni (Yellow) – 24th min.
Seattle: Leonardo Gonzalez (Yellow) – 49th min.
D.C. United: Josh Wicks (Red) – 69th min.
Seattle: Peter Vagenas (Yellow) – 79th min.

Game Stats
Shots: Seattle 18, D.C. United 15
Saves: Seattle 5, D.C. United 6
Corner Kicks: Seattle 5, D.C. United 5
Fouls: Seattle 4, D.C. United 13
Offsides: Seattle 1, D.C. United 2

Attendance: 17,329
Referee: Alex Prus
Assistant Referees: Greg Barkey, Rob Fereday, Andrew Chapin (4th)
Weather: Sunny – 73 degrees

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2010 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Final
Columbus Crew (MLS) 1:2 Seattle Sounders FC (MLS)
October 5, 2010 | Qwest Field – Seattle, Washington

Scoring Summary
Columbus: Kevin Burns (Steven Lenhart) – 24th min.
Seattle: Sanna Nyassi (Nathan Sturgis) – 38th min.
Seattle: Sanna Nyassi (Unassisted) – 66th min.

Lineups

Seattle Sounders FC: Kasey Keller (GK), James Riley, Jeff Parke, Patrick Ianni, Tyson Wahl, Nathan Sturgis, Osvaldo Alonso, Blaise Nkufo, Sanna Nyassi (79′ Alvaro Fernandez), Steve Zakuani (90′ Roger Levesque), Fredy Montero (90’+ Nate Jaqua)

Head Coach: Sigi Schmid

Columbus Crew: Andy Greunebaum (GK), Frankie Hejduk, Chad Marshall, Andy Iro, Shaun Francis, Brian Carroll, Emmanuel Ekpo, Guillermo Barros Schelotto, Steven Lenhart (78′ Andres Mendoza), Kevin Burns (78′ Andres Mendoza), Eddie Gaven (81′ Robbie Rogers)

Head Coach: Robert Warzycha

Booking Summary
Seattle: James Riley (Yellow) – 23rd min.
Columbus: Shaun Francis (Yellow) – 24th min.
Columbus: Brian Carroll (Yellow) – 41st min.
Seattle: Osvaldo Alonso (Yellow) – 74th min.
Seattle: Sanna Nyassi (Yellow) – 75th min.
Columbus: Guillermo Barros Schelotto (Yellow) – 87th min.

Game Stats
Shots: Columbus 10, Seattle 10
Saves: Columbus 3, Seattle 0
Corner Kicks: Columbus 2, Seattle 6
Fouls: Columbus 10, Seattle 11
Offsides: Columbus 0, Seattle 0

Attendance: 31,311
Referee: Michael Kennedy
Assistant Referees: Thomas Supple, Paul Scott, Ricardo Salazar (4th)
Weather: Clear – 60 degrees

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2011 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Final
Chicago Fire (MLS) 0:2 Seattle Sounders FC (MLS)
October 4, 2010 | CenturyLink Field – Seattle, Washington

Scoring Summary
Seattle: Fredy Montero (Jeff Parke) – 77th min.
Seattle: Osvaldo Alonso (Unassisted) – 90th+ min.

Lineups

Seattle Sounders FC: Kasey Keller (GK), James Riley, Jeff Parke, Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, Leo Gonzalez, Alvaro Fernandez (Erik Freiberg 46th), Osvaldo Alonso, Brad Evans, Lamar Neagle, Michael Fucito (Roger Levesque 90th+), Fredy Montero

Head Coach: Sigi Schmid

Chicago Fire: Sean Johnson (GK), Gonzalo Segares, Cory Gibbs, Josip Mikulic (Jalil Anibaba 61st), Dan Gargan (Sebastien Grazzini 84th); Marco Pappa, Pavel Pardo, Logan Pause, Daniel Paladini (Diego Chaves 80th); Dominic Oduro, Patrick Nyarko

Head Coach: Frank Klopas

Booking Summary
Chicago: Patrick Nyarko (Yellow) – 27th min.
Chicago: Daniel Paladini (Yellow) – 39th min.
Chicago: Jalil Anibaba (Yellow) – 90th min.
Seattle: Osvaldo Alonso (Yellow) – 90th min.
Seattle: Fredy Montero (Yellow) – 90th min.

Game Stats
Shots: Chicago 8, Seattle 27
Saves: Chicago 5, Seattle 4
Corners: Chicago 6, Seattle 10
Fouls: Chicago 17, Seattle 12
Offsides: Chicago 3, Seattle 0

Attendance: 35,615
Referee: Alex Prus
Assistant Referees: Steven Taylor, Eric Boria, Josh Wilkens (4th)
Weather: Rain, 58 degrees

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2012 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Final
Seattle Sounders FC (MLS) 1:1 Sporting Kansas City (MLS)
August 8, 2012 | LiveStrong Sporting Park – Kansas City, Kansas
Sporting Kansas City wins US Open Cup, 3-2 on penalty kicks

Scoring Summary
Sporting KC: Kei Kamara (PK) – 84th min.
Seattle: Zach Scott (Mauro Rosales) – 86th min.

Penalty Kick Shootout
Sporting KC: Kei Kamara (GOAL)
Seattle: Brad Evans (GOAL)
Sporting KC: Roger Espinoza (SAVED)
Seattle: Marc Burch (GOAL)
Sporting KC: Matt Besler (GOAL)
Seattle: Osvaldo Alonso (MISS)
Sporting KC: Graham Zusi (MISS)
Seattle: Christian Tiffert (SAVED)
Sporting KC: Paulo Nagamura (GOAL)
Seattle: Eddie Johnson (MISS)

Lineups

Sporting Kansas City: Jimmy Nielsen (GK); Chance Myers, Lawrence Olum, Matt Besler, Seth Sinovic; Paulo Nagamura, Julio Cesar, Roger Espinoza (Michael Harrington 100), Graham Zusi; Teal Bunbury (C.J. Sapong 89), Kei Kamara.

Head Coach: Peter Vermes

Seattle Sounders FC: Michael Gspurning (GK); Zach Scott, Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, Patrick Ianni, Leo Gonzalez; Mauro Rosales, Osvaldo Alonso, Andy Rose (Brad Evans 69), Alex Caskey (Christian Tiffert 69), Fredy Montero (Marc Burch 106), Eddie Johnson.

Head Coach: Sigi Schmid

Booking Summary
Seattle: Osvaldo Alonso (Yellow) – 4th min.
Seattle: Mauro Rosales (Yellow) – 57th min.
Seattle: Patrick Ianni (Yellow) – 74th min.
Seattle: Zach Scott (Yellow) – 93rd min.
Seattle: Patrick Ianni (Red) – 119th min.

Game Stats
Shots: Seattle 8, Sporting KC 18
Saves: Seattle 5, Sporting KC 1
Corner Kicks: Seattle 3, Sporting KC 4
Fouls: Seattle 19, Sporting KC 16
Offsides: Seattle 2, Sporting KC

Attendance: 18,863
Referee: Ricardo Salazar
Assistant Referees: Corey Rockwell, Peter Manikowski, Michael Kennedy (4th)
Weather: Rain, 87 degrees

NOTE: 41-minute delay due to lightning prior to kickoff

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2013 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Final
D.C. United (MLS) 1:0 Real Salt Lake (MLS)
October 1, 2013 | Rio Tinto Stadium – Sandy, Utah

Scoring Summary
D.C. United: Lewis Neal (Unassisted) – 45th min.

Lineups

Real Salt Lake: Nick Rimando (GK), Chris Wingert, Nat Borchers, Carlos Salcedo (Devon Sandoval, 81’), Tony Beltran, Kyle Beckerman, Ned Grabavoy, Sebastian Velasquez (Khari Stephenson, 69’), Javier Morales, Joao Plata (Olmes Garcia, 57’), Alvaro Saborio

Head Coach: Jason Kreis

D.C. United: Bill Hamid (GK), James Riley, Dejan Jakovic, Ethan White, Chris Korb, Perry Kitchen, Lewis Neal, Chris Pontius (Conor Doyle, 87’), John Thorrington, Nick DeLeon, Dwayne de Rosario (Luis Silva, 75’)

Head Coach: Ben Olsen

Booking Summary
D.C. United: James Riley (Yellow) – 21st min.
RSL: Kyle Beckerman (Yellow) – 46th min.
D.C. United: Nick DeLeon (Yellow) – 58th min.
D.C. United: Chris Korb (Yellow) – 80th min.
RSL: Nick Rimando (Yellow) – 91st+ min.

Game Stats
Shots: D.C. United 2, RSL 10
Saves: D.C. United 6, RSL 0
Corner Kicks: D.C. United 1, RSL 10
Fouls: D.C. United 17, RSL 15
Offsides: D.C. United 2, RSL 3

Attendance: 17,608
Referee: Juan Guzman
Assistant Referees: Kermit Quisenberry, Fabio Tovar, Baldomero Toledo (4th)
Weather: Clear – 66 degrees

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2014 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Final
Seattle Sounders FC (MLS) 3:1 (AET) Philadelphia Union (MLS)
September 16, 2014 | PPL Park – Chester, Pennsylvania

Scoring Summary
Philadelphia: Maurice Edu (Cristian Maidana) – 38th min.
Seattle: Chad Barrett (Unassisted) – 47th min.
Seattle: Clint Dempsey (Obafemi Martins) – 101st min.
Seattle: Obafemi Martins (Unassisted) – 114th min.

Lineups

Seattle Sounders FC: Stefan Frei (GK), Leo Gonzalez, Zach Scott, Chad Marshall, DeAndre Yedlin, Lamar Neagle (Marco Pappa, 74′), Andy Rose, Osvaldo Alonso, Brad Evans (Gonzalo Pineda, 94′), Clint Dempsey, Chad Barrett (Obafemi Martins, 60′)

Head Coach: Sigi Schmid

Philadelphia Union: Zach MacMath (GK), Sheanon Williams (Fred, 110′), Carlos Valdes, Ethan White, Raymon Gaddis, Sebastien Le Toux, Maurice Edu, Vincent Nogueira, Cristian Maidana, Andrew Wenger (Danny Cruz, 81′), Conor Casey (Pedro Ribeiro, 78′)

Head Coach: Jim Curtin

Booking Summary
Seattle: Osvaldo Alonso (Yellow) – 25th min.
Philadelphia: Conor Casey (Yellow) – 57th min.

Game Stats
Shots: Seattle 19, Philadelphia 19
Saves: Seattle 4, Philadelphia 3
Corner Kicks: Seattle 7, Philadelphia 12
Fouls: Seattle 7, Philadelphia 12
Offsides: Seattle 2, Philadelphia 2

Attendance: 15,256
Referee: Armando Villareal
Assistant Referees: Peter Manikowski, Corey Parker, Matthew Nelson (4th)
Weather: Partly Cloudy – 70 degrees

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2015 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Final
Sporting Kansas City (MLS) 1:1 Philadelphia Union (MLS)
September 30, 2015 | PPL Park – Chester, Pennsylvania
Sporting Kansas City wins US Open Cup, 7-6 on penalty kicks

Scoring Summary
Philadelphia: Sebastien Le Toux (Vincent Nogueira) – 23rd min.
Sporting KC: Krisztian Nemeth (Graham Zusi) – 65th min.

Penalty Kick Shootout
Sporting KC: Benny Feilhaber (GOAL)
Philadelphia: Sebastien Le Toux (GOAL)
Sporting KC: Dom Dwyer (GOAL)
Philadelphia: Vincent Nogueira (GOAL)
Sporting KC: Krisztian Nemeth (SAVED)
Philadelphia: Maurice Edu (SAVED)
Sporting KC: Matt Besler (GOAL)
Philadelphia: Tranquillo Barnetta (GOAL)
Sporting KC: Paulo Nagamura (GOAL)
Philadelphia: Conor Casey (GOAL)
Sporting KC: Graham Zusi (GOAL)
Philadelphia: Michael Lahoud (GOAL)
Sporting KC: Kevin Ellis (GOAL)
Philadelphia: Ray Gaddis (GOAL)
Sporting KC: Jordi Quintilla (GOAL)
Philadelphia: Andrew Wenger (SAVED)

Lineups

Sporting Kansas City: Tim Melia (GK), Kevin Ellis, Matt Besler, Seth Sinovic (Saad Abdul-Salaam, 78′), Chance Myers (Jacob Peterson, 112′), Benny Feilhaber, Paulo Nagamura, Soni Mustivar (Jordi Quintilla, 66′), Krisztian Nemeth, Dom Dwyer, Graham Zusi

Head Coach: Peter Vermes

Philadelphia Union: Andre Blake (GK) (John McCarthy, 119′), Ray Gaddis, Richard Marquez, Maurice Edu, Fabinho, Vincent Nogueira, Michael Lahoud, Sebastien Le Toux, Cristian Maidana (Conor Casey, 77′), Tranquillo Barnetta, CJ Sapong (Andrew Wenger, 115′)

Head Coach: Jim Curtin

Booking Summary:
Philadelphia: Michael Lahoud (Yellow) – 21st min.
Sporting KC: Kevin Ellis (Yellow) – 29th min.
Sporting KC: Seth Sinovic (Yellow) – 34th min.
Philadelphia: Tranquillo Barnetta (Yellow) – 58th min.
Sporting KC: Jordi Quintilla (Yellow) – 76th min.
Sporting KC: Matt Besler (Yellow) – 86th min.
Philadelphia: CJ Sapong (Yellow) – 91st min.
Sporting KC: Paulo Nagamura (Yellow) – 94th min.
Sporting KC: Graham Zusi (Yellow) – 104th min.
Sporting KC: Chance Myers (Yellow) – 106th min.

Game Stats
Shots: Sporting KC 10, Philadelphia 13
Saves: Sporting KC 8, Philadelphia 4
Corner Kicks: Sporting KC 6, Philadelphia 9
Fouls: Sporting KC 25, Philadelphia 18
Offsides: Sporting KC 1, Philadelphia 5

Attendance: 14,463
Referee: Ted Unkel
Assistant Referees: Ian Anderson, James Conlee, Chris Penso (4th)
Weather: Cloudy, Light Rain – 70 degrees

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2016 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Final
New England Revolution (MLS) 2:4 FC Dallas (MLS)
September 13, 2016 | Toyota Stadium – Frisco, Texas

Scoring Summary:
New England: Juan Agudelo (Gershon Koffie) – 6th min.
FC Dallas: Maxi Urruti (Mauro Diaz) – 15th min.
FC Dallas: Matt Hedges (Mauro Diaz) – 40th min.
FC Dallas: Mauro Diaz (PK) – 52nd+ min.
FC Dallas: Maxi Urruti (Mauro Diaz) – 61st min.
New England: Juan Agudelo (Teal Bunbury) – 73rd min.

Lineups

New England Revolution: Brad Knighton (GK), Jose Goncalves, London Woodbury, Andrew Farrell, Gershon Koffie (Kei Kamara, 42′), Scott Caldwell, Je-Vaughn Watson (Chris Tierney, 45+), Lee Nguyen, Kelyn Rowe (Teal Bunbury, 69′), Diego Fagundez, Juan Agudelo

Head Coach: Jay Heaps

FC Dallas: Chris Seitz (GK), Maynor Figueroa, Matt Hedges, Walker Zimmerman, Ryan Hollingshead, Carlos Gruezo, Mauro Diaz (Victor Ulloa, 82′), Kellyn Acosta, Michael Barrios, Maximiliano Urruti (Aubrey David, 90′), Mauro Rosales (Tesho Akindele, 58′)

Head Coach: Oscar Pareja

Booking Summary
New England: Scott Caldwell (Yellow) – 29th min.
New England: London Woodbury (Yellow) – 48th min.
FC Dallas: Walker Zimmerman (Yellow) – 50th min.
New England: Diego Fagundez (Yellow) – 66th min.

Game Stats
Shots: New England 11, FC Dallas 19
Saves: New England 5, FC Dallas 1
Corner Kicks: New England 2, FC Dallas 4
Fouls: New England 10, FC Dallas 15
Offsides: New England 0, FC Dallas 2

Attendance: 16,612
Referee: Baldamero Toledo
Assistant Referees: Sean Hurd, Adam Wienckowski, Sorin Stoica (4th)
Weather: Partly Cloudy – 88 degrees

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2017 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Final
Sporting Kansas City (MLS) 2:1 New York Red Bulls (MLS)
September 20, 2017 | Children’s Mercy Park – Kansas City, KS

Scoring Summary
Sporting KC: Latif Blessing (Graham Zusi) – 25th min.
Sporting KC: Daniel Salloi (Benny Feilhaber) – 66th min.
New York: Bradley Wright-Phillips (Unassisted) – 91st min.

Lineups

New York Red Bulls: Ryan Meara (GK), Sacha Kljestan, Aaron Long, Michael Murillo, Tyler Adams, Felipe, Sean Davis (Muhamed Keita, 77′), Alex Muyl (Gonzalo Veron, 71′), Fidel Escobar, Kemar Lawrence (Sal Zizzo, 66′), Bradley Wright-Phillips

Head Coach: Jesse Marsch

Sporting Kansas City: Tim Melia (GK), Graham Zusi, Seth Sinovic, Ike Opara, Matt Besler, Ilie Sanchez, Benny Feilhaber, Roger Espinoza, Diego Rubio (Kevin Oliveira, 82′), Latif Blessing (Daniel Salloi, 43′), Gerson Fernandes (Jimmy Medranda, 56′)

Head Coach: Peter Vermes

Booking Summary
Sporting KC: Seth Sinovic (Yellow) – 4th min.
New York: Aaron Long (Yellow) – 27th min.
New York: Tyler Adams (Yellow) – 57th min.
Sporting KC: Ike Opara (Yellow) – 96th min.

Game Stats
Shots: New York 17, Sporting KC 11
Saves: New York 3, Sporting KC 6
Corner Kicks: New York 6, Sporting KC 4
Fouls: New York 13, Sporting KC 19
Offsides: New York 3, Sporting KC 0

Attendance: 21,823
Referee: Hilario Grajeda
Assistant Referees: Jason White, Andrew Bigelow, Ismail Elfath (4th)
Weather: Cloudy, Humid – mid 80s

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2018 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Final
Houston Dynamo (MLS) 3:0 Philadelphia Union (MLS)
September 26, 2018 | BBVA Compass Stadium – Houston, TX

Scoring Summary
Houston: Mauro Manotas (Alberth Elis) – 4th min.
Houston: Mauro Manotas (Alberth Elis) – 25th min.
Houston: OWN GOAL (Auston Trusty) – 65th min.

Lineups:

Philadelphia Union: Andre Blake (GK), Auston Trusty, Jack Elliott, Keegan Rosenberry, Raymon Gaddis, Alejandro Bedoya, Borek Dockal (David Accam – 78′), CJ Sapong, Fabrice-Jean Picault, Haris Medunjanin (Derrick Jones – 89′), Cory Burke (Jay Simpson – 68′)

Head Coach: Jim Curtin

Houston Dynamo: Joe Willis (GK), Alejandro Fuenmayor, Andrew Wenger, DaMarcus Beasley, Philippe Senderos (Kevin Garcia – 41′), Alberth Elis, Juan Cabezas, Romell Quioto (Memo Rodriguez – 83′), Tomas Martinez, Boniek Garcia (Darwin Ceren – 78′), Mauro Manotas

Head Coach: Wilmer Cabrera

Misconduct Summary:
Philadelphia: Borek Dockal (Yellow) – 51st min.
Houston: Tomas Martinez (Yellow) – 53rd min.
Houston: Mauro Manotas (Yellow) – 61st min.
Houston: Boniek Garcia (Yellow) – 69th min.

Game Stats
Shots: Houston 9, Philadelphia 19
Saves: Houston 5, Philadelphia 3
Corner Kicks: Houston 2 ,Philadelphia 5
Fouls: Houston 22, Philadelphia 11
Offsides: Houston 1, Philadelphia 6

Attendance: 16,060
Referee: Nima Saghafi
Assistant Referees: Cameron Blanchard, Kyle Atkins, Alejandro Mariscal (4th)
Weather: Clear, Dry – 81 degrees

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2019 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Final
Atlanta United FC (MLS) 2:1 Minnesota United FC (MLS)
August 27, 2019 | Mercedes-Benz Stadium – Atlanta, GA

Scoring Summary
Atlanta: OWN GOAL (Chase Gasper) – 10th min.
Atlanta: Gonzalo “Pity” Martinez (Justin Meram) – 16th min.
Minnesota: Robin Lod (Kevin Molino) – 47th min.

Lineups:

Atlanta United FC: Brad Guzan (GK), Julian Gressel (Jeff Larentowicz – 85′), Miles Robinson, Leandro Gonzalez Pirez, Florentin Pogba, Darlington Nagbe, Eric Remedi, Ezequiel Barco (Emerson Hyndman – 70′), Gonzalo “Pity” Martinez (Franco Escobar – 76′), Josef Martinez, Justin Meram

Head Coach: Frank de Boer

Minnesota United FC: Vito Mannone (GK), Romain Metanire, Ike Opara, Michael Boxall, Chase Gasper, Jan Gregus, Osvaldo Alonso (Darwin Quintero – 75′), Hassani Dotson, Robin Lod (Ethan Finlay – 70′), Mason Toye, Kevin Molino (Abu Danladi – 85′)

Head Coach: Adrian Heath

Misconduct Summary:
Minnesota: Hassani Dotson (Yellow) – 29th min.
Minnesota: Osvaldo Alonso (Yellow) – 44th min.
Atlanta: Leandro Gonzalez Pirez (Yellow) – 71st min.
Atlanta: Leandro Gonzalez Pirez (Red) – 74th min.
Minnesota: Chase Gasper (Yellow) – 87th min.
Atlanta: Franco Escobar (Yellow) – 87th min.

Game Stats
Shots: Atlanta 9, Minnesota 19
Saves: Atlanta 3, Minnesota 5
Corner Kicks: Atlanta 6, Minnesota 9
Fouls: Atlanta 9, Minnesota 15
Offsides: Atlanta 2, Minnesota 4

Attendance: 35,709
Referee: Allen Chapman
Assistant Referees: Brian Poeschel, Nick Uranga, Ramy Touchan
Weather: Indoors (1st indoor US Open Cup Final in history)

US Open Cup Final All-Time Goalscorers

by

Billy Gonsalves and Bert Patenaude pose for a photo. Photo: National Soccer Hall of Fame
Billy Gonsalves and Bert Patenaude pose for a photo. Photo: National Soccer Hall of Fame

UPDATED THROUGH 2019 FINAL

The legendary Adelino “Billy” Gonsalves (pictured left) has scored more goals than any player in the history of the US Open Cup. Although, it is worth noting that many of the championships prior to 1968 were played over two and sometimes three legs. It might be a while before any modern players crack the list of championship game goalscorers since it took until 2010 for a player (Sanna Nyassi of the Seattle Sounders) to not only score more than one goal in a final in the Modern Era (1995-present), but also he’s the only one to score more than one championship game goal in a career. Fredy Montero later joined him by scoring his second career Open Cup Final goal in 2011. Two players joined the two-goal club in 2016 as Maxi Urruti of FC Dallas and Juan Agudelo of the New England Revolution each had a brace in the title game.

BILLY GONSALVES 14 YEAR
Fall River Marksmen 1 1931
New Bedford Whalers 1 1932
Stix, Baer & Fuller 4 1934
Central Breweries 3 1935
Shamrocks SC 1 1937
Manhattan Beer 1 1939
Brooklyn Hispano 2 1943
Brooklyn Hispano 1 1944
WERNER NILSEN 12 YEAR
Fall River Marksmen 3 1930
New Bedford Whalers 2 1932
Stix, Baer & Fuller 1 1933
Stix, Baer & Fuller 4 1934
Shamrocks SC 2 1936
BERT PATENAUDE 8 YEAR
Fall River Marksmen 6 1931
Central Breweries 2 1935
JIMMY McAULEY 7 YEAR
Fall River Marksmen 4 1930
Pawtucket Rangers 2 1934
Pawtucket Rangers 1 1935
JAMES McDERMOTT 6 YEAR
Sparta Garden City 3 1938
Viking AA 3 1946
MIKE NOHA 6 YEAR
Ukrainian Nationals 5 1960
Ukrainian Nationals 1 1963
ANDY HRITZ 5 YEAR
German Hungarian SC 5 1951
AL ZERHUSEN 5 YEAR
Los Angeles Kickers 1 1960
Los Angeles Kickers 3 1961
Los Angeles Kickers-Victoria 1 1964
EVAGORAS CHRISTOFI 4 YEAR
NY Pancyprian Freedoms 2 1982
NY Pancyprian Freedoms 2 1983
RUDY KUNTNER 4 YEAR
New York Americans 1 1937
St. Mary’s Celtic 1 1939
Brookhattan 2 1945
DAVE McEWAN 4 YEAR
Pawtucket Rangers 3 1941
Pawtucket Rangers 1 1942
ROBERT McINTYRE 4 YEAR
Pawtucket Rangers 3 1934
Pawtucket Rangers 1 1935
ALEX McNAB 4 YEAR
Fall River Marksmen 2 1930
Stix, Baer & Fuller 1 1934
Central Breweries 1 1935
HARRY RATICAN 4 YEAR
Bethlehem Steel 3 1918
Bethlehem Steel 1 1919
ED VALENTINE 4 YEAR
Pawtucket Rangers 2 1941
Pawtucket Rangers 1 1942
Ponta Delgada 1 1947
ED SOUZA 3 YEAR
Ponta Delgada 1 1946
Ponta Delgada 1 1947
German Hungarian SC 1 1951

 

 

MODERN ERA (1995-present)
Juan Agudelo New England Revolution 2016 2
Mauro Manotas Houston Dynamo 2018 2
Fredy Montero Seattle Sounders FC 2009, 2011 2
Sanna Nyassi Seattle Sounders FC 2010 2
Maximiliano Urruti FC Dallas 2016 2
Yari Allnut Rochester Raging Rhinos 1999 1
Osvaldo Alonso Seattle Sounders FC 2011 1
Arturo Alvarez FC Dallas 2007 1
Gambino Amaparan El Paso Patriots 1995 1
Chad Barrett Seattle Sounders FC 2014 1
Latif Blessing Sporting Kansas City 2017 1
Kevin Burns Columbus Crew 2010 1
Danny Califf Los Angeles Galaxy 2001 1
Clint Dempsey Seattle Sounders FC 2014 1
Mauro Diaz FC Dallas 2016 1
Raul Diaz Arce DC United 1996 1
Maurice Edu Philadelphia Union 2014 1
Luciano Emilio DC United 2008 1
Fred DC United 2008 1
Ian Fuller Charleston Battery 2008 1
Freddy Garcia Columbus Crew 2002 1
Herculez Gomez Los Angeles Galaxy 2005 1
Alan Gordon Los Angeles Galaxy 2006 1
Wolde Harris New England Revolution 2001 1
Matt Hedges FC Dallas 2016 1
Ezra Hendrickson Los Angeles Galaxy 2001 1
Andy Herron Chicago Fire 2006 1
Nate Jaqua Chicago Fire 2006 1
Stern John Columbus Crew 1998 1
Kei Kamara Sporting Kansas City 2012 1
Frank Klopas Chicago Fire 1998 1
Sebastien Le Toux Philadelphia Union 2015 1
Roger Levesque Seattle Sounders FC 2009 1
Robin Lod Minnesota United FC 2019 1
Gonzalo “Pity Martinez Atlanta United FC 2019 1
Obafemi Martins Seattle Sounders FC 2014 1
Doug Miller Rochester Raging Rhinos 1999 1
Jamie Moreno DC United 1996 1
Lewis Neal DC United 2013 1
Krisztian Nemeth Sporting Kansas City 2015 1
Pat Noonan New England Revolution 2007 1
Jerzy Podbrozny Chicago Fire 1998 1
Eddie Pope DC United 1996 1
Zach Scott Seattle Sounders FC 2012 1
Damani Ralph Chicago Fire 2003 1
Daniel Salloi Sporting Kansas City 2017 1
Clyde Simms DC United 2009 1
Igor Simutenkov Kansas City Wizards 2004 1
Hristo Stoitchkov Chicago Fire 2000 1
Thiago Chicago Fire 2006 1
Abe Thompson FC Dallas 2007 1
Wells Thompson New England Revolution 2007 1
Taylor Twellman New England Revolution 2007 1
Rob Ukrop Richmond Kickers 1995 1
Welton Miami Fusion 2000 1
Bradley Wright-Phillips New York Red Bulls 2017 1
OWN GOALS
Tyrone Marshall Miami Fusion 2000 1
Austin Trusty Philadelphia Union 2018 1
Chase Gasper Minnesota United FC 2019 1

 

The Other US Opens and marketing the ‘US Soccer Majors’

by

Every year when the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup tournament rolls into the lights shining down onto the stadium pitch, the inevitable comparisons to the FA Cup in England come into play as part of the explanation to what the tournament is for journalists. And often times it’s followed by the unfortunate analogizing of the event to minor and major league baseball teams playing one another in a single-elimination tournament.

But perhaps the better comparisons we should all be making is to the other Opens in which the American media already treat as serious events. These events also pit amateurs versus professionals on an open entry basis, and are also among numerous events within the specific sport. These events, of course, are the US Open tennis tournaments held annually in New York and the US Open golf championship held in a different location each year around the United States.

Each fall, the world’s best tennis players convene on the hard courts of the USTA’s Billy Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, NY for the tour’s fourth and final major of what the sport considers the Grand Slam. Those top-flight professionals are joined by winners of an open playoff system that is comprised 16 sectionals and a national playoff event in which only USTA members may participate. In the end, 128 participants each take part in the men’s and women’s brackets (64 for doubles).

Last year, over 1,200 players took part in the USTA’s National Playoffs for a chance to compete in the singles events at the US Open. Unlike US Soccer’s Open Cup, only one male and one female earned qualification spots to compete against the world’s best in the tournament.

The Chicago Fire have won six majors, including four US Open Cup championships | Photo by Brian Kersey/Wireimage.com

The US Open golf tournament, held in June, is comparatively more open with approximately half the participants advancing from qualification play to join the world’s top players who are automatically in the field through 17 exemptions categories via such things as being tournament winners or holding a certain world ranking.

At the 2010 tournament, 75 of the 156 participants were non-exempted players who qualified through the two-stage process to reach the famed Pebble Beach Golf Links for the championship. The process begins with Local Qualifying, a series of over 100 18-hole tournaments held around the country. Many top players not already qualified through full exemption are, however, exempt from local qualifying and join the process at the Sectional Qualifying stage where they participate in one of several one-day, 36-hole tournaments in the United States. There is also a Sectional tournament in both Europe and Japan where 11 and 4 individuals qualified, respectively, in 2010.

The major difference between the US Open Cup and the US Open tennis and golf duo is that the US Soccer Federation event is the only one that is a championship tournament for Americans while the other two are open to foreign participants. The only clubs eligible for the US Open Cup are American-based teams that are affiliated through the USSF; however, for argument’s sake it does still feature a foreign component as teams are comprised, in part, of players that are not American.

The Los Angeles Galaxy have won eight majors, and are one of only two MLS clubs to win the CONCACAF Champions Cup (DC United). They won the Champions Cup in 2000 | Photo: Los Angeles Galaxy

Continuing on the golf tangent, another significant open tournament American media and sports fans are very familiar with and follow every July is the British Open (officially known as The Open Championship), which is the oldest of the four golf majors and is the only one held outside of the United States. Similar to the US Open, the majority of the 156 participants are automatic entrants through exemption with the remaining players advancing from a two-stage qualification process.

Through 2004, players from around the world were only able to qualify through 18-hole Local Qualifying events held around Britain and Ireland within two weeks of The British Open followed by 36-hole Local Final Qualifying tournaments a few days later. International Qualifying events, 36-hole tournaments, were added in 2004 to assist foreign professionals wishing to participate, holding qualifiers in Africa, Australia, Asia, America and Europe with more stringent entrance standards than Local Qualifying.

Packaging & Marketing US Soccer Majors

The golf and tennis tours are lengthy seasons that run from January to the fall with tournament events nearly every week, but it is the majors where media coverage amps up and fan viewership heightens. With the similarities of the American Open majors to the US Open Cup, perhaps there are other lessons to be learned from the golf and tennis tours, such as the incorporation US Soccer Majors as a marketing tool for the sports’ leading championship events for American clubs.

A matching structure of four championships already exists with the US Open Cup joined by the MLS Cup, MLS Supporters’ Shield (regular season championship) and the CONCACAF Champions League.  Currently, the MLS Cup is the leading championship, but by creating a platform that raises the perception of the other three events to a comparable level to the league’s championship playoff, it will increase awareness among the media and fans while also, hopefully, creating a greater sense of seriousness and urgency to win the other events among the clubs and coaches.

Bringing these four championships together into one packaged series allows for a greater ability to compare the success of clubs beyond just winning MLS Cup as though this was the NFL and the Super Bowl while clubs around the rest of the world are evaluated on all the various events in which they participate. It would be similar to how tennis players and golfers are measured by majors won.

DC United lead all MLS clubs with 11 majors, including the 1996 US Open Cup championship | Photo: DC United

For instance, the Los Angeles Galaxy and DC United are the only two clubs that have won all four majors (dating back to the CCL precursor CONCACAF Champions Cup). In fact, the two also hold the most total majors with DC boasting 11 (4 MLS Cups, 4 Supporters’ Shields, 2 Open Cups and a CCC) and the Galaxy having eight (2 MLS Cups, 3 Supporters’ Shields, 2 Open Cups and the CCC).

Only five clubs have won all three of the domestic majors with the Chicago Fire, Columbus Crew and Sporting Kansas City having won everything but a CONCACAF championship at least once. The Fire are third in total majors (6) and the Crew are fourth (5).

Only three American MLS clubs are without a major championship, excluding expansion Portland. The New York Red Bulls, Chivas USA and Philadelphia Union have yet to claim one of the big prizes.

In the last five years, the most successful clubs in the United States have been Columbus and DC, each having won three majors. The Crew have won the Supporters’ Shield twice and the MLS Cup once. DC also has two Supporters’ Shields, but has a US Open Cup championship to round things out. Houston and Seattle each have two titles with the Dynamo winning MLS Cup twice in a row and the Sounders taking the Open Cup title back-to-back. Five other teams each have one major as nine clubs have won the 15 possible domestic majors while coming up empty in the Champions League, which is completing its third run with Real Salt Lake still in the hunt for a second major in the same cycle in which it won the MLS Cup title and qualified for the event.

All-Time ‘US Soccer Majors’ Winners List

11 – DC United (4 MC, 4 SS, 2 OC, 1 CCC)
8 – Los Angeles Galaxy (2 MC, 3 SS, 2 OC, 1 CCC)
6 – Chicago Fire (1 MC, 1 SS, 4 OC)
5 – Columbus Crew (1 MC, 3 SS, 1 OC)
3 – San Jose Earthquakes (2 MC, 1 SS)
3 – Sporting Kansas City (1 MC, 1 SS, 1 OC)
2 – Houston Dynamo (2 MC)
2 – Seattle Sounders (2 OC)
1 – Colorado Rapids (MC), FC Dallas (OC), Real Salt Lake (MC), New England Revolution (OC), Rochester Rhinos (OC), Tampa Bay Mutiny (SS), Miami Fusion (SS)

(MC – MLS Cup, SS – Supporters’ Shield, OC – US Open Cup, CCC/CCL – CONCACAF Champions Cup/League)

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