Tacony FC and Philadelphia Hibernian square off in the 1913 American Cup semifinal. Allied Amateur Cup and league play, benefit match, and more Philly soccer history, 100 years ago this week.
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.
Weather had wreaked havoc on the city’s Christmas soccer schedule in 1912. Would it still be a factor in the lead up to the New Year’s Day games?
A look at Thanksgiving soccer match ups in Philadelphia 100 years ago.
Stops in Philadelphia during the North American tours of English amateur club Corinthian FC in 1906, 1911, and 1924 were perhaps less noteworthy for what happened on the pitch than as windows into key movements in early American and Philadelphia soccer history.
Tacony FC booked its passage to the 1913 American Cup final after defeating Philadelphia Hibernian in the semifinals. It would be a long voyage.
The East-West series of tours between St. Louis and East Coast teams continued in 1913 when Innisfails traveled East in a tour that included games against Philadelphia Hibernian and Tacony FC.
Tacony FC’s trip to St. Louis in December of 1911 to decide the “championship of America” had ended in disappointment. They would have a chance for revenge in March of 1912 when the St. Leos team of St. Louis embarked on a tour against leading East Coast teams.
In December of 1911, Tacony FC became the first Philadelphia team to travel out West to decide the “championship of America.”
The 1914 American Cup saw four Philadelphia-area teams in the second round. By the semifinals, three remained.
Comments