New York Yankees (soccer)
Encyclopedia
New York Yankees were a New York
soccer team that played briefly in the American Soccer League
. They were formed following the merger of Fall River Marksmen
and New York Soccer Club
. Although the Yankees survived only a short time, they beat Celtic
in a prestige friendly and effectively won the 1931 National Challenge Cup
. However due to complications over the merger their moment of glory was credited to the Fall River Marksmen.
were originally one of the most successful early United States soccer clubs. However by 1931 they were suffering financially and Sam Mark
, owner of the franchise, moved the club to New York, hoping that a new market there would be more lucrative. Once there he merged the club with New York Soccer Club
and renamed them the Yankees. New York Soccer Club had previously played as New York Giants
.
Before the merger was finalized however, Fall River Marksmen
had entered the 1931 National Challenge Cup
. After the merger, the new club was unable to re-register for the competition, so they continued to play in the Challenge Cup as the Fall River Marksmen. With a team featuring Billy Gonsalves
and Bert Patenaude
they eventually beat Chicago Bricklayers in a final played as a three game series.
At the same time they also competed in the Spring 1931 American Soccer League
as the New York Yankees, finishing in third place.
In the Summer of 1931 a Yankees team featuring Gonsalves, Patenaude and George Moorhouse
twice played Celtic
in friendlies. On May 30 at Fenway Park
, Gonsalves scored a hat-trick
as the Yankees won 4-3. However on June 28 at Yankee Stadium, Celtic avenged the defeat and won 4-1.
The relocation to New York was not a financial success and in Fall 1931
, Sam Mark
relocated his team once again, this time to New Bedford, Massachusetts
where they became New Bedford Whalers.
see also
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
soccer team that played briefly in the American Soccer League
American Soccer League
The American Soccer League has been a name used by three different professional soccer leagues in the United States. The first American Soccer League was established in 1921 by the merger of teams from the National Association Football League and the Southern New England Soccer League. For...
. They were formed following the merger of Fall River Marksmen
Fall River Marksmen
Fall River Marksmen was a United States soccer club, based in Fall River, Massachusetts. They originally played as Fall River United before becoming known as the Marksmen after their owner, Sam Mark. During the 1920s and early 1930s they were one of the most successful soccer clubs in the United...
and New York Soccer Club
New York Soccer Club
New York Soccer Club was the name of a New York soccer team that, in 1930, played briefly in the American Soccer League. Between 1923 and 1930 they had been known as the New York Giants. In 1930 they merged with the Fall River Marksmen to become the New York Yankees. Then in 1931 this club absorbed...
. Although the Yankees survived only a short time, they beat Celtic
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
in a prestige friendly and effectively won the 1931 National Challenge Cup
1931 National Challenge Cup
The 1931 National Challenge Cup was the annual open cup held by the United States Football Association now known as the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.-History:...
. However due to complications over the merger their moment of glory was credited to the Fall River Marksmen.
History
Fall River MarksmenFall River Marksmen
Fall River Marksmen was a United States soccer club, based in Fall River, Massachusetts. They originally played as Fall River United before becoming known as the Marksmen after their owner, Sam Mark. During the 1920s and early 1930s they were one of the most successful soccer clubs in the United...
were originally one of the most successful early United States soccer clubs. However by 1931 they were suffering financially and Sam Mark
Sam Mark
Sam Mark is a former United States soccer club owner. During the 1920s and early 1930s he was the owner of Fall River Marksmen, one of the era’s most successful teams. Mark’s continued to own the team after it relocated and became the New York Yankees and then New Bedford Whalers. He also briefly...
, owner of the franchise, moved the club to New York, hoping that a new market there would be more lucrative. Once there he merged the club with New York Soccer Club
New York Soccer Club
New York Soccer Club was the name of a New York soccer team that, in 1930, played briefly in the American Soccer League. Between 1923 and 1930 they had been known as the New York Giants. In 1930 they merged with the Fall River Marksmen to become the New York Yankees. Then in 1931 this club absorbed...
and renamed them the Yankees. New York Soccer Club had previously played as New York Giants
New York Giants (soccer)
New York Giants was a name used by three different New York soccer teams. Two of these teams were associated with the New York Giants baseball franchise. The first team that used the name played in the American League of Professional Football in 1894...
.
Before the merger was finalized however, Fall River Marksmen
Fall River Marksmen
Fall River Marksmen was a United States soccer club, based in Fall River, Massachusetts. They originally played as Fall River United before becoming known as the Marksmen after their owner, Sam Mark. During the 1920s and early 1930s they were one of the most successful soccer clubs in the United...
had entered the 1931 National Challenge Cup
1931 National Challenge Cup
The 1931 National Challenge Cup was the annual open cup held by the United States Football Association now known as the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.-History:...
. After the merger, the new club was unable to re-register for the competition, so they continued to play in the Challenge Cup as the Fall River Marksmen. With a team featuring Billy Gonsalves
Billy Gonsalves
Adelino William Gonsalves was an American soccer player, sometimes described as the "Babe Ruth of American Soccer". He spent over 25 years playing in various American professional leagues and was a member of the U.S...
and Bert Patenaude
Bert Patenaude
Bertrand "Bert" Arthur Patenaude was an American soccer player. Although earlier disputed, he is now officially credited by FIFA as the scorer of the first hat-trick in World Cup history. He is a member of the United States Soccer Hall of Fame.-Club career:...
they eventually beat Chicago Bricklayers in a final played as a three game series.
At the same time they also competed in the Spring 1931 American Soccer League
Spring 1931 American Soccer League
-League standings: GP W D L GF GA PTS PCT New York Giants 17 10 2 5 42 28 22 .647 Brooklyn Wanderers 16 9 2 5 32 27 20 .625...
as the New York Yankees, finishing in third place.
In the Summer of 1931 a Yankees team featuring Gonsalves, Patenaude and George Moorhouse
George Moorhouse
George Moorhouse is, reputedly, the first Englishman to appear in a FIFA World Cup. He spent most of his playing career in the United States and earned seven caps with the U.S. national team. He was a member of the U.S. teams at the 1930 FIFA World Cup and 1934 FIFA World Cup...
twice played Celtic
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
in friendlies. On May 30 at Fenway Park
Fenway Park
Fenway Park is a baseball park near Kenmore Square in Boston, Massachusetts. Located at 4 Yawkey Way, it has served as the home ballpark of the Boston Red Sox baseball club since it opened in 1912, and is the oldest Major League Baseball stadium currently in use. It is one of two "classic"...
, Gonsalves scored a hat-trick
Hat-trick
A hat-trick or hat trick in sport is the achievement of a positive feat three times during a game, or other achievements based on threes. The term was first used in 1858 in cricket to describe HH Stephenson's feat of taking three wickets in three balls. A collection was held for Stephenson, and he...
as the Yankees won 4-3. However on June 28 at Yankee Stadium, Celtic avenged the defeat and won 4-1.
The relocation to New York was not a financial success and in Fall 1931
Fall 1931 American Soccer League
Fall 1931 American Soccer League. At the start of this season the American Soccer League was in decline, suffering from the effects of the Great Depression. Clubs had begun to fold, merge and disappear. The eventual champions, New Bedford Whalers, had been formed by Sam Mark following the merger...
, Sam Mark
Sam Mark
Sam Mark is a former United States soccer club owner. During the 1920s and early 1930s he was the owner of Fall River Marksmen, one of the era’s most successful teams. Mark’s continued to own the team after it relocated and became the New York Yankees and then New Bedford Whalers. He also briefly...
relocated his team once again, this time to New Bedford, Massachusetts
New Bedford, Massachusetts
New Bedford is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States, located south of Boston, southeast of Providence, Rhode Island, and about east of Fall River. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 95,072, making it the sixth-largest city in Massachusetts...
where they became New Bedford Whalers.
Year-by-year
| Year | Division | League | Reg. Season | Playoffs | National Challenge Cup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 1931 Spring 1931 American Soccer League -League standings: GP W D L GF GA PTS PCT New York Giants 17 10 2 5 42 28 22 .647 Brooklyn Wanderers 16 9 2 5 32 27 20 .625... |
1 | ASL | 3rd | Did not qualify | Champion |
Notable players
  Gordon BurnessGordon Burness Gordon Burness was a Scottish-Canadian-U.S. soccer wing forward who earned a cap with both the Canadian and U.S. national teams... Billy Gonsalves Billy Gonsalves Adelino William Gonsalves was an American soccer player, sometimes described as the "Babe Ruth of American Soccer". He spent over 25 years playing in various American professional leagues and was a member of the U.S...  George MoorhouseGeorge Moorhouse George Moorhouse is, reputedly, the first Englishman to appear in a FIFA World Cup. He spent most of his playing career in the United States and earned seven caps with the U.S. national team. He was a member of the U.S. teams at the 1930 FIFA World Cup and 1934 FIFA World Cup...  Werner Nilsen |
Bert Patenaude Bert Patenaude Bertrand "Bert" Arthur Patenaude was an American soccer player. Although earlier disputed, he is now officially credited by FIFA as the scorer of the first hat-trick in World Cup history. He is a member of the United States Soccer Hall of Fame.-Club career:...  Johnny RederJohnny Reder John Anthony Reder is a former Polish American sportsman who during the 1930s played soccer with the Fall River Marksmen and the New Bedford Whalers and baseball for the Boston Red Sox. As a soccer goalkeeper he won three American Soccer League titles and two National Challenge Cup titles... Alex McNab Alex McNab Alex "Alec" McNab was a Scottish-U.S. soccer player and coach. He began his career in Scotland before moving to the United States. In the U.S., he won six consecutive U.S. Open Cups with teams from both the American Soccer League and St. Louis Soccer League... Bill McPherson Bill McPherson William "Bill" McPherson was a Scottish American soccer wing half. He began his career in Scotland before moving to the American Soccer League. He also spent time in the St. Louis Soccer League, winning a total of five league titles and seven U.S... James White James White (Scottish footballer) James White , also known as Jimmy White or Tec White, is a former Scottish footballer who spent most of his career playing for Fall River Marksmen in the American Soccer League. He was born in Airdrie, North Lanarkshire, Scotland.-Playing career:In 1920, White signed with Albion Rovers of the... |
see also
Honors
- National Challenge Cup
- Winners 19311931 National Challenge CupThe 1931 National Challenge Cup was the annual open cup held by the United States Football Association now known as the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.-History:...
: 1
- Winners 1931