First self-published in 1948 before being backed by the USSFA beginning in 1960, over the span of three decades Bill Graham’s annual compilation of soccer activities in the US followed in the footsteps of the Spalding Guides Ed Farnsworth examines the publishing history of what are now colloquially known as the Graham Guides.
Kicking off those Bunglesome Bloomers: Women’s Soccer in Baltimore, 1920-23
A brief history of women playing soccer in Baltimore between 1920 and 1923
The Archives Room: The greatest Open Cup final?
In the 1960 US Open Cup final, Philadelphia’s Ukrainian Nationals came from behind three times over 120 minutes to win the championship with Mike Noha scoring all five of the Uke Nats goals. Roger Allaway has the story.
St. Louis Stadium Firsts
Dave Lange rounds up some facts and firsts about sites for soccer matches in St. Louis.
The Archives Room: Hakoah left its mark on America
Roger Allaway on the legacy of the US tours by Austria’s Hakoah team in the 1920s.
Book Talk on February 17, 2023 at 12 PM ET: Kelcey Ervick discusses The Keeper: Soccer, Me and the Law That Changed Women’s Lives Updated with video
Kelcey Ervick will discuss her new graphic memoir, which examines the role that Title IX has played in expanding opportunities for women in soccer, and sport in general, in the US.
Liverpool chows down
Touring foreign soccer teams have come to the United States for a lot of different reasons over the years, most of them tied in one way or another to money. In 1946, Liverpool came to the United States for lunch.
St. Louis Soccer Club tour of Sweden, 1920
Dave Lange looks at the St. Louis-based team that visited Sweden in 1920, following the path of visits by the USMNT in 1916, and Bethlehem Steel in 1919.
The forgotten Thomas W. Cahill
A man who dominated the sport in the United States 100 years ago is nearly unknown today.
The Cosmos-Whitecaps classic of 1979
Roger Allaway on the second leg of the 1979 championship semifinal between New York Cosmos and Vancouver Whitecaps, considered by many to be the best game in the history of the original NASL.
A soccer Christmas story, 1884
Dave Lange recounts the first international matches in the US, which took place over the Christmas holiday in 1884 between local St. Louis sides and a team representing Canada’s Western Football Association.
Stix by any other name…
Roger Allaway looks at what’s behind the name of some of the most storied teams in US soccer history.
RIP, Pelé
The greatest player of in the history of the game has died at the age of 82
A Designer Looks at MISL Team Logos, 1980-81
Brian D. Bunk asked Myles Dumas, design director at NAIL Communications, for his thoughts on MISL logos from the 1980-81 season.
The “American Menace”
Roger Allaway looks back to when European club soccer felt threatened by the ASL.
Burn ’em Up Hellions!
Brian D. Bunk looks at the short but colorful history of Hartford Hellions of the MISL.
1908 Spalding Guide now available
The 1908 Spalding Guide is now available for download in PDF format for the first time.
Nigeria’s American dramatics
Roger Allaway looks at why the men’s soccer tournament at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta deserves to be a lot better remembered than it is.