American Pastors Win Olympic Soccer Medal?

Yes, somehow it happened all the way back in 1904. This week, we look back at the only time an American team has won a men's Olympic soccer medal. What’s even stranger is that two American teams placed on the podium that year. Plus, we examine the 2024 Phantom title, explore a rare 1/1 soccer piece, and much more.

This week’s stories:

• 📈 Twist of Fate

• 🤔 The League… for Clubs

• 🏅 American Pastors Win Olympic Soccer Medal

• 👻 The Phantom Title

• 🗳️ Poll + Last Week’s Answers

• ➡️ And More

OUR HISTORY
Twist of Fate

Today in 1948, the USMNT suffered its largest-ever defeat. Yet there’s a silver lining to this story.

The game in question was a friendly in Oslo against Norway, where the hosts battered the USMNT 11-0 in front of 25,000 fans. Pretty much the definition of hitting rock bottom.

Still, the US was able to bounce back from such an embarrassing loss. Just two short years later — and with a few players who had been present in that dreadful defeat against Norway — the USMNT was able to earn one of its most historic victories to date.

At the 1950 World Cup, the US defeated England 1-0 in an incredible upset still heralded as one of our greatest triumphs in soccer. Perhaps the moral of the story is that we have the ability to recover from even the most shameful debacles. May we do so again this coming World Cup cycle.

EXPANSION
The League… for Clubs

The name threw many people off at first. But it seems like a new “Soccer War” has begun.

This time, it seems like it’ll be fought in the lower half of our soccer pyramid, and it all started with an open letter to amateur clubs posted by this new league. You have to read it.

COVER STORY
American Pastors Win Olympic Soccer Medal

At the 1904 Olympics, the US captured both the silver and bronze medals in men’s soccer. It’s the only time a country has ever achieved something of that magnitude.

That year, the games were held in St. Louis in conjunction with the World’s Fair marking the 100th anniversary of the Louisiana Purchase. It was a grand occasion, but due to the ongoing Russo-Japanese War and the difficulty of traveling to Middle America, not many foreign athletes were able to participate.

This resulted in only three teams entering the competition. Furthermore, before 1908, national teams as we know them today did not participate in these events. Instead, small clubs from each country would appear at the tournament and represent their nations.

At the 1904 Olympics, Galt FC from Canada and two clubs from St. Louis signed up for the competition. One was a team from a local boarding school and the other from a small parish in town.

In the end, the Canadians took the gold medal, and the Americans had to settle for silver and bronze. Their 2nd-place match actually went to three periods of extra time, before being postponed due to “darkness.” Fortunately, they were able to play a rematch and settle the score.

Although it’s disappointing that the US failed to get gold in those games (with a 2v1 advantage no less), at least we get a cool historical fact out of it. To this day, the IOC recognizes those two medals as valid, so the US is still the only country to ever win two medals at a single Olympic soccer tournament.

AWARDS
The Phantom Title

Vermont Green who? That’s probably what all New Hampshire soccer fans were thinking this weekend.

For the first time ever, the Seacoast United Phantoms captured a USL League Two championship. They left their Vermont neighbors in the dust by beating them in the opening round a few weeks ago, and they just completed their insane run to the trophy with a comeback win in the grand final on Saturday.

Kings of New England and kings of all USL League Two. An enormous win for soccer in the Granite State.

CLUBELEVEN
The Supporters Section

Drop your own title story. We’ll highlight your best answers next week.

CLUBELEVEN
Aggregates

I Am the Senate: This month, Don Garber celebrates 25 years at the helm of MLS. I suppose that achievement does deserve some recognition.

New Gold: T-Rod had us losing our minds with her extra-time winner against Japan last week. Now the USWNT faces Germany in the Olympic semis today at noon ET.

Tim Time: So much buzz around this one. Word on the street is that USMNT and Fulham defender Tim Ream is poised to join Charlotte FC. What a signing that would be.

Field of Dreams: MLS prodigy Cavan Sullivan had a nightmare first pitch at a Phillies game. Sheesh.

Forces of Nature: The new Spokane Zephyr kit just launched, and it’s great to see USL Super League teams get creative and organize events for their communities. We’re headed in the right direction.

ART
Under the Knife

A dream shoe. The Surgeon, a Los Angeles-based collective of creatives known for their custom shoe designs, just dropped a beautiful new pair of sneakers inspired by the Predator cleats.

For this project, Creative Director Dominic Chambrone combined an MMY sole with the Predator upper and added a python leather fold over the tongue with a strap. They had to go for that classic look, of course.

A true beauty. You can now get this 1 of 1 release exclusively at the Football Boutique.

TRANSFERS
Soccer Legend in Naboo

Lake Como. The famous Italian spot where some iconic Star Wars scenes were filmed, and now the new home of USWNT legend Heather O’Reilly.

With the Como 1907 Women’s side vying for promotion to Serie A, the club decided to tap Heather for a crucial role. Moving forward, she will be an advisor to the club, working with the coaching staff and sporting director to help create the architecture for the club to reach its lofty goals. It’s a great challenge for someone who’s accomplished almost everything at this point, plus it seems like an incredible place to live.

Also, don’t take our word on this, but we’re almost sure this deal must’ve been struck when they crossed paths at TST. It had to be.

From this side of the pond, we wish Heather the best of luck!

CLUBELEVEN
Your Takes 🗯️ 

Last week, we asked you if you thought the USSF should be punished for not disclosing the Canada spying operations. Here are some of your answers:

• “The USSF didn't report it to protect its image and relationship with FIFA. Plus, if FIFA starts digging, who knows what else they might find? Very suspicious.” - John

• “They should have reported it but they are not obligated to, in my opinion. I don't think it's a federation's job to act as a police of anyone, is it? Everyone can do what they want.” - Dario

• “This is simply cheating in American and Canadian sports cultures. Many other cultures no.” - Toby

• “Yes. Fair play and sporting behavior! We can’t just hold our political adversaries to standard on cheating (ie Russian or China doping), and we owe it to the sport to uphold rules for all in fairness.” - Kris

In the poll, “Yes” won with 59% of the vote. You had great takes on what’s turned out to be quite a controversial topic over the past week. It seems spying in soccer is much more widespread than we could’ve ever thought.

UP NEXT
Festival Season

The perfect way to end the summer. There’s really nothing better than getting together with soccer friends, and this Saturday will be the ultimate example. Check out the line-up for what you can expect at the Worldie Fest in LA this Saturday, and you can RSVP for free right here. Packing our bags now.

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Have a great Tuesday!

Pablo