1917–18 American Cup

The 1918 American Cup was the annual challenge cup held by the American Football Association. At the A.F.A.'s annual meeting on June 2 at the Continental Hotel in Newark, NJ the delegates elected were president Duncan Carswell of Orange, vice–president Donald McMillan of East Newark, recording secretary Robert M. Marshall of Kearny, and financial secretary/treasurer Andrew H. Beveridge of Arlington.[1]In a reversal from the previous season, State associations could not restrict teams from entering multiple competitions. Twenty-nine teams entered the competition. Bethlehem Steel won the trophy for the third straight time and fourth overall.

1917–18 American Cup
Tournament details
CountryUnited States
DatesOctober 1917 – May 1918
Teams29
Final positions
ChampionsBethlehem (4th title)
Runners-upBabcock & Wilcox

First round

The draw for the first round was held October 13, 1917 at the Continental Hotel in Newark, NJ.[2] The first round games were scheduled to be completed by October 28. J. & P. Coats of Pawtucket, Jersey A.C., and the Wanderers of Philadelphia drew byes. The New York/Clan MacDonald replay was protested and a third game was ordered.

New York, New Jersey, Connecticut District

IRT Strollers4–3Passaic
Bark (2)
Edmondson
Dahill
[3] Kydd
Brogan
McNair
Lenox Oval, NY
Referee: A. Birchall
West Hudson8–1Alley Boys
Tintle (4)
Stark
Knowles
Dugan (2)
[4] McCartin
Clark's Field, East Newark
Referee: J. Russell
Scottish American4–2Kinley
35' Ellis
44' Ford (pk)
2H' Ford
Forfar
[5] 15' Clouse
John Kinsella
Clark's Field, East Newark
Referee: C. Ward
Babcock & Wilcox7–0West NY Blues
10' Miller
15' Peter Sweeney
1H' Clark
2H' Peter Sweeney (4)
[6]
Bayonne, NJ
Attendance: 300
Referee: John Cunningham
Paterson9–1Bunker Hill
Van De Weghe (4)
Hayes (3)
Gradwell
Lindquist
[7] Hughes
Olympic Park, Paterson, NJ
Referee: Andrew Laurie
New York0–0Clan MacDonald
[8]
Lenox Oval, NY
Referee: A. Birchall
Bridgeport City2–2Clan MacDuff
5' Fildes
Satterwaite (pk)
[9] McLoughlin
75' McKenna
Meadows, Bridgeport, CT
Referee: G. Denholme (Ansonia)

replays

New York3–0Clan MacDonald
65' Petrie
70' Hunziker
Adamson
[10]
Lenox Oval, NY
Referee: A. Birchall
Clan MacDuff2–0Bridgeport City
Sanderson (2) [11]
Lenox Oval, NY
Referee: T. Cunningham
New York2–0Clan MacDonald
Petrie (2) [12]
Lenox Oval, NY
Referee: Laurie

Northern Massachusetts District

Fisk Red Top1–1Fore River
30' Bill Smith [13] Bradford
Fisk Park, Chicopee Falls
Referee: R. Young (Holyoke)

replay

Fore River1–0Fisk Red Top
Straddan [14]
Quincy, MA
Referee: Lambie (Boston)

Massachusetts/Rhode Island District

Pan American5–0New Bedford
5', 42' Holland
59' Newman
65' West
[15] Barker (og)
Athletic Grounds, Fall River
Attendance: 800
Referee: George Mitchell (New Bedford)
New Bedford Celtic1–1Fall River Rovers
75' Bennie Wilson [16] 72' Billy Stone (pk)
Page Mill, New Bedford
Attendance: 1200
Referee: William Taylor (Boston)
Crompton4–0Greystone
15' John Cullerton
70' Poole
St. John
Carroll
[17]
Crompton, RI
Referee: Ed Pemberton

replay

Fall River Rovers6–1New Bedford Celtic
12' Smith
Pete Bouchard
Fred Beardsworth
Tommy Swords
Morgan (2)
[18] Wilson
Athletic Grounds, Fall River
Attendance: 1800
Referee: Taylor (Pawtucket)

Pennsylvania District

Bethlehem Steel7–0Veterans
23', 25', 40' Forrest
15', 1H' Easton
2H' Fleming
2H' Pepper
[19]
New Athletic Field, Bethlehem
Referee: George Allen (Philadelphia)
Fall1–7Disston
H. Beech [20] 1H' R. Hyslop
9' Scott Wilson
40', 2H' Barrett
Andrews
2H' R. Hyslop
Kevis
Tacony Ball Park
Referee: Jimmy Steel

Second round

The draw for the second round was held November 3, 1917 at the Continental hotel in Newark, NJ. Matches were due to be played on or before November 29.[21] The Wanderers of Philadelphia withdrew because they could not afford the trip to Quincy, MA. The Pan–Americans of Fall River withdrew from the tournament when they could not agree on financial arrangements with Bethlehem Steel management.

Bethlehem Steelw/oPan–American
[22]
Bethlehem, PA
Fall River Rovers3–1Jersey A.C.
2' Turner
5', 2H' Swords
[23] 75' Fisher (pk)
Athletic grounds, Fall River
Attendance: 1500
Referee: Norse (New Bedford)
J&P Coats1–4Henry Disston
20' Allcock [24] 10' Barrett
1H' Andrews
67' Burnett
2H' Andrews
Lonsdale Ave grounds
Referee: Mitchell (New Bedford)
Babcock & Wilcox3–2Scottish American
15' Bill Elliott
Sweeney
49' Dave Muir
[25] 2H', 83' Del Brierley
B. & W. Grounds, Bayonne, NJ
Attendance: 300
Referee: Thomas Cunningham (Brooklyn)
West Hudson2–1Paterson
20' Duggan
55' Knowles
[26] 87' Vandeweghe
Clark's Field, East Newark
Referee: G. Caldicott
Crompton1–4Bridgeport City
2H' not mentioned [27] Percy Hardy (3)
Joseph Satterwaite
Hawthorne Field, Brooklyn
Referee: Edward Pemberton (Pawtucket)
IRT Strollers3–2New York FC
20' Dahill
55' Quinn
MacDonald (pk)
[28] 15', 65' Hunziker
Olympic Park, Harlem
Referee: W. Lawrie
Fore Riverw/oWanderers
[29]
Quincy, MA

Third round

Henry Disston2–0West Hudson
70', 2H' Andrews [30]
Disstons' Ball Park
Referee: James Steele (Philadelphia)
Bethlehem Steel5–1IRT Strollers
Ratican
Fleming
Murphy
Fleming (pk)
[31] Kidd (og)
89' Young
Athletic Field, Bethlehem, PA
Referee: James Kerr (Philadelphia)
Bridgeport City1–1Babcock & Wilcox
60' Joseph Satterwaite [32] 88' Herbert Holden
Meadows, Bridgeport, CT
Attendance: 900
Referee: George Denholm (Ansonia)
Fore River3–0Fall River
13' Straden
53' Brown
78' Davy Page
[33]
Quincy, MA
Attendance: 500
Referee: George Lambie

replay

Babcock & Wilcox2–1Bridgeport City
20' Muir
OT' Aitken
[34] 70' Hardy
Lexington Ave grounds, Bayonne
Attendance: 800
Referee: George Denholm (Ansonia)

Semifinals

Bethlehem Steel2–2Henry Disston
2H' Pepper
2OT' Ratican
[35] 15' Barrett
2OT' Eastwood
Athletic Field, Bethlehem, PA
Referee: George Young (Philadelphia)
Fore River0–2Babcock & Wilcox
[36] Smith
Millar
Quincy, MA
Referee: George Lambie

replay

Henry Disston0–1Bethlehem Steel
[37] 89' Ratican
Tacony Ball Park
Referee: George Young (Philadelphia)

Final

The American Cup final took place in J. & P. Coats Park in Pawtucket, RI. Bethlehem Steel won their fourth American Cup and third in succession. This win was coupled with a National Challenge Cup title after defeating Fall River on May 20. They came close to a third title but fell short finishing second in the National Association Football League to Paterson.

Babcock & Wilcox0–1Bethlehem Steel
[38][39] 85' Jimmy Campbell
Coats Field, Pawtucket, RI
Attendance: 3000
Referee: George Lambie

See also

References

  1. ^ "Soccer Football Body Allowed Wider Scope". (June 4, 1917). Newark Evening News, p.15 col.4
  2. ^ "Soccer Body Arranges First Round For Cup". (October 15, 1917). Newark Evening News, p.14 col.2
  3. ^ "Strollers Down Passaic". (October 28, 1917). The Sun, p.3 col.6
  4. ^ "West Hudsons Pile Up Goals On Alley Boys". (October 29, 1917). Newark Evening News, p.16 col.1
  5. ^ "Scots Victorious Over Kinley F.C.". (October 29, 1917). Newark Evening News, p.16 col.1
  6. ^ "Sweeney Stars In Babs Easy Win Over Blues". (October 29, 1917). Bayonne Review, p.4 col.5
  7. ^ "Patersons Won Cup–Tie Game". (October 29, 1917). The Morning Call, p.3 col.1
  8. ^ "Soccer Teams Play Tie". (October 29, 1917). New York Times, p.10 col.4
  9. ^ "Soccer Notes". (October 29, 1917). Bridgeport Evening Post, p.4 col.6
  10. ^ "New York Wins At Soccer". (November 12, 1917). New York Times, p.10 col.3
  11. ^ "Bridgeport City Wins At Soccer". (November 19, 1917). New York Tribune, p.13 col.4
  12. ^ "New York Soccers Repeat". (November 26, 1917). The Sun, p.13 col.3
  13. ^ "Fisks 1, Quincy 1". (October 28, 1917). Springfield Sunday Republican, p.3 col.3–4
  14. ^ Bus, Leri (November 28, 1917). "Fore River Club Notes". Quincy Daily Ledger, p.3 col.5
  15. ^ "Pans Win Honors". (October 29, 1917). Evening Herald, p.6 col.1
  16. ^ "Celtics Held Fall River Rovers To Tie". (October 28, 1917). Sunday Standard, p.6 col.5
  17. ^ "Crompton Puts Out Greystone Team". (October 30, 1917). Evening Times, p.6 col.5
  18. ^ "Good–Bye Whalers, You're All Through". (November 19, 1917). Evening Herald, p.6 col.1–2
  19. ^ "Bethlehem Steel Eliminates Veterans". (October 29, 1917). The Globe
  20. ^ "Disston Too Clever For Falls Eleven". (October 28, 1917). Philadelphia Record, p.2 col.1
  21. ^ "Draw For Second Round Of Soccer Cup Series". (November 4, 1917). The Sunday Call, p.19 col.5
  22. ^ "The Pans Cancel Game With Beths". (November 21, 1917). Evening Herald, p.8 col.3
  23. ^ "Rovers Enter Third Round". (November 26, 1917). Fall River Evening News, p.3 col.1–2
  24. ^ "Disston Knocks Coats Out Of A.F.A. Cup–Tie". (November 26, 1917). Evening Times, p.6 col.6
  25. ^ "Babs Finally Win Game From Scottish–Americans". (November 26, 1917). Bayonne Review, p.5 col.6–7
  26. ^ "West Hudsons Hand Wallop To Paterson". (November 26, 1917). Newark Evening News, p.18 col.7
  27. ^ "No Title". (March 18, 1918). Pawtuxet Valley Daily Times, p.4 col.3
  28. ^ "Interborough Boys Defeat N.Y. Club In Soccer Game". (March 18, 1918). New York Tribune, p.12 col.6
  29. ^ "Casey's Sport Comment". (April 8, 1918). Evening Herald, p.6 col.2
  30. ^ "Andrews Boot Gives Disstons Victory". (March 3, 1918). Philadelphia Inquirer, p.18 col.2–3
  31. ^ "Steel Wins A Big Cup Match". (March 25, 1918). The Globe
  32. ^ "Bridgeport City And Bayonnes Play Two Hours". (March 25, 1918). Bridgeport Telegram, p.10 col.1–2
  33. ^ "Takes Fall Out Of Fall River". (April 28, 1918). Sunday Herald, p.6 col.6
  34. ^ "Babs Victors After Hard Battle With Bridgeports". (April 1, 1918). Bayonne Review, p.5 col.6–7
  35. ^ "Bethlehem Steel's Soccer Club Has An Off–Day". (April 22, 1918). The Globe
  36. ^ "Loses Chance". (May 13, 1918). Quincy Daily Ledger, p.1 col.5
  37. ^ "Disston Out Of Cup Competition". (April 28, 1918). Philadelphia Inquirer, p.17 col.3
  38. ^ "Bethlehem Steel Soccer Team Wins American Cup". (May 27, 1918). The Globe
  39. ^ "Bethlehem Lucky In Soccer Final". (May 27, 1918). Evening Times, p.6 col.8