In 1966 several groups of entrepreneurs were exploring the idea of forming a professional soccer league in United States. One of these groups, United Soccer Association (USA) led by Jack Kent Cooke, selected 12 cities for team locations and Weston Adams,[1] owner of the Boston Bruins, was awarded the Boston franchise. The USA originally planned to start play in the spring of 1968; however the rival National Professional Soccer League, which secured a TV contract from CBS, announced it was ready to launch in 1967. Not wanting to let the rival league gain an advantage, the USA decided to launch early. Not having secured any player contracts, the league imported teams from Europe, Brazil, and Uruguay. Shamrock Rovers F.C. of the League of Ireland were brought over to represent the city of Boston.[2][3]
Rovers opened the season at home against the Detroit Cougars[a] in a 1 - 1 draw. A disallowed goal by the Cougars due to an offsides call lead to an argument with the linesman who was hit in the face by a Detroit player.[4][5] Shamrock Rovers finished the season in last place of the Eastern Division with a record of 2 wins 3 ties and 7 loses, the worst in the league, and with an average attendance 4,171.[6]
^"Shamrock Rovers Elect". The Norwalk Hour. April 21, 1967. p. 32. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
^Seese, D.J. (2015). The Rebirth of Professional Soccer in America: The Strange Days of the United Soccer Association. Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN9781442238954.
^Hannigan, Dave (May 31, 2017). "Summer of soccer: when Shamrock Rovers conquered America". The Irish Times. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
^"Cougars Open With Tie". The Owosso Argus-Press. May 27, 1967. p. 13. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
^Wangerin, Dave (2006). Soccer in a Football World. WSC Books, Limited. p. 134. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
^"North American Soccer League". RSSSF. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
^"Beacons Survive Rovers In Major Soccer Merger". The Telegraph. December 8, 1967. p. 14. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
March 15, 2023
boston, shamrock, rovers, also, known, boston, rovers, were, american, soccer, team, that, competed, united, soccer, association, league, 1967, team, based, lynn, massachusetts, played, their, home, games, manning, bowl, team, folded, when, merged, with, natio. Boston Shamrock Rovers also known as Boston Rovers were an American soccer team that competed in the United Soccer Association USA league in 1967 The team was based in Lynn Massachusetts and played their home games at the Manning Bowl The team folded when the USA merged with the National Professional Soccer League to form the North American Soccer League Boston Shamrock RoversFull nameBoston Shamrock RoversNickname s RoversFounded1966 Year of foundation Dissolved1968StadiumManning Bowl Lynn MassachusettsCapacity21 000OwnerWeston AdamsManagerLiam TuohyLeagueUnited Soccer Association1967United Soccer Association Eastern Division 6thHome colorsAway colors Contents 1 History 2 Year by Year 3 Records 4 See also 5 External links 6 Notes 7 Sources 8 ReferencesHistory EditIn 1966 several groups of entrepreneurs were exploring the idea of forming a professional soccer league in United States One of these groups United Soccer Association USA led by Jack Kent Cooke selected 12 cities for team locations and Weston Adams 1 owner of the Boston Bruins was awarded the Boston franchise The USA originally planned to start play in the spring of 1968 however the rival National Professional Soccer League which secured a TV contract from CBS announced it was ready to launch in 1967 Not wanting to let the rival league gain an advantage the USA decided to launch early Not having secured any player contracts the league imported teams from Europe Brazil and Uruguay Shamrock Rovers F C of the League of Ireland were brought over to represent the city of Boston 2 3 Rovers opened the season at home against the Detroit Cougars a in a 1 1 draw A disallowed goal by the Cougars due to an offsides call lead to an argument with the linesman who was hit in the face by a Detroit player 4 5 Shamrock Rovers finished the season in last place of the Eastern Division with a record of 2 wins 3 ties and 7 loses the worst in the league and with an average attendance 4 171 6 Prior to the 1968 season the United Soccer Association merged with the National Professional Soccer League to form the North American Soccer League The merged league decided not to have two team cities and as such the incoming Boston Beacons from the NPSL would be Boston s NASL franchise 7 Year by Year EditSeason Regular season Play offs Top scorerLeague Div G W T L F A Pts Pos Attend Name Gls Pts1967 USA E 12 2 3 7 12 26 7 292 6th 4 171 Frank O Neill 3 10Records EditLeague victory 3 1 v Houston Stars July 2 1967 League defeat 0 5 v Chicago Mustangs June 14 19671 6 v Toronto City July 5 1967See also EditBoston Beacons Boston Minutemen New England Tea MenExternal links EditBoston Rovers stats List of Boston Rovers playersNotes Edit The Northern Irish team Glentoran F C had been brought over to represent DetroitSources EditThe Hoops by Paul Doolan and Robert Goggins ISBN 0 7171 2121 6 References Edit Shamrock Rovers Elect The Norwalk Hour April 21 1967 p 32 Retrieved December 9 2021 Seese D J 2015 The Rebirth of Professional Soccer in America The Strange Days of the United Soccer Association Rowman amp Littlefield ISBN 9781442238954 Hannigan Dave May 31 2017 Summer of soccer when Shamrock Rovers conquered America The Irish Times Retrieved December 9 2021 Cougars Open With Tie The Owosso Argus Press May 27 1967 p 13 Retrieved December 9 2021 Wangerin Dave 2006 Soccer in a Football World WSC Books Limited p 134 Retrieved December 9 2021 North American Soccer League RSSSF Retrieved December 9 2021 Beacons Survive Rovers In Major Soccer Merger The Telegraph December 8 1967 p 14 Retrieved December 9 2021 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Boston Shamrock Rovers amp oldid 1137907052, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
