A look at the founding of the EPSA, originally known as the Foot Ball Association of Eastern Pennsylvania and District, in April, 1913, six days after the founding of the United States of America Football Association, known today as the US Soccer Federation.
One hundred years ago this week in Philadelphia soccer history, it was semifinal action in the city’s Allied Amateur and Challenge Cup tournaments, a local college derby between Haverford and Penn, and bad news for Belmont.
When the Union take to the pitch at PPL Park on Saturday they will be continuing their own chapter in the long history of soccer in the Philadelphia area that stretches back to Bethlehem Steel FC and beyond.
100 years ago this week in Philly soccer, Bethlehem clinched its first Philadelphia league title. Boys Club extended it’s win streak in the American League to ten games while Tacony returned to form in the Pennsylvania League.
Bethlehem first played in Philly’s Allied Amateur Cup tournament in 1912 but lost in the final. Dominant in league play the next season, they were ready for another run at the cup. Lowly Tacony AC had other ideas.
A recent rash of broken legs leads to an interleague benefit match. Meanwhile, Hibernian and Victors are neck-and-neck for Pennsylvania League title and Bethlehem rolls on. Our series on Philly soccer happenings 100 years ago continues.