In 1919, Bethlehem Steel became the first US club to embark on an overseas tour.
Recent Posts
Philadelphia soccer in the 1940s and 1950s, part 3: Moving up through the amateur ranks
Philadelphia-born National Soccer Hall of Famer Len Oliver describes moving up the Philadelphia amateur soccer ranks in the 1940s and 1950s, playing in international friendlies, and trying out for the US Olympic team.
Loose threads
Tom McCabe on ONT Football Club, American soccer’s first dynasty, the American Football Association, the sports first governing body in the US.
The search for the Falcos
The Holyoke Falcos were one of the founding members of the American Soccer League in 1921, although they dropped out after just a single season. In many ways the search for information on the Falcos reveals some of the challenges involved in researching the history of American soccer.
A timeline of early soccer in Cleveland: “Socker’s” roots spread (1905-1906)
Part 2 of Craig Tower’s timeline of early Cleveland soccer history.
A timeline of early soccer in Cleveland: Beginnings (1889-1905)
Craig Tower presents a timeline if soccer’s beginnings in Cleveland.
Q&A with Len Oliver: Youth and junior soccer with Lighthouse Boys Club
Our series of Q&A’s with US Soccer Hall of Famer Len Oliver continues.
Philadelphia soccer in the 1940s and 1950s, part 2: Youth & Junior League soccer with the Lighthouse Boys Club
Part two of a six part series in which National Soccer Hall of Famer Len Oliver recalls growing up playing soccer in 1940s and 1950s Philadelphia continue with his time playing for the Lighthouse Boys Club.
Evolution of a kit: Bethlehem Steel FC
Between 1912 and 1930, Bethlehem Steel FC played in at least 11 different jersey designs.
The game that never ends
Tom McCabe on the importance of pickup soccer games.
Spotlight on Albert Colone
Albert “Al” Colone, former director of the National Soccer Hall of Fame, looks back on the early days and accomplishments of the Society for American Soccer History.
Q&A with Len Oliver: Philly soccer in the 1940s & 1950s
The first in a series of Q&A’s with National Soccer Hall of Famer Len Oliver.
Philly and the first USA international tour
On June 9, 1916, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported, “Word was received in this city yesterday that all arrangements had been completed for an All-American soccer team to tour Sweden and Norway in July. The Sweden Football Association, through its secretary, C.L. Kornerup, has cabled a guarantee of $4000 to cover […]
Philadelphia soccer in the 1940s and 1950s, part 1
Part one of a six part series in which National Soccer Hall of Famer Len Oliver recalls growing up playing soccer in 1940s and 1950s Philadelphia.
That wooden sign
In recognition of Throwback Thursday, Tom McCabe recalls the wooden sign that used to hang behind Archie Stark’s tavern in Kearny, New Jersey
Spotlight on Roger Allaway
In the first in this series Roger Allaway reflects on the Society of American Soccer Historians (SASH). Allaway was the National Soccer Hall of Fame’s historian from 2007-2010 and past president of SASH. He has authored several groundbreaking books on the history of soccer in the United States. Allaway worked […]
A Boca American
Peter Millar joined Inter in 1961 and by the end of his first season he led the league in scoring and was voted its top player. He took home the Most Valuable Player award again after the 1962-63 campaign, and by early 1964 a black and white photograph of a […]
Meet the Babe Ruth of American Soccer
Steve Holroyd on Billy Gonsalves, one of the greatest players the US has ever produced.