The First Soccer Club in America

It all started in a famous park back in 1862. This week, we look at the ruthless origins of the first soccer club in America, and the controversy surrounding their story today. Plus, we examine a recent deal between the Saudis and Concacaf, celebrate the USMNT’s 108th birthday, and much more.

This week’s stories:

• 🎂 The USMNT Turns 108

• 🤔 Saudi x Concacaf

• ☝️ The First Soccer Club in America

• 🛣️ Manager Memory Lane

• 🗳️ Poll + Last Week’s Answers

• ➡️ And More

OUR HISTORY
The USMNT Turns 108

It’s a special day today. On August 20, 1916, the USMNT played its first official international match under the auspices of the US Soccer Federation.

It was a friendly against Sweden in Stockholm, and the USMNT got the job done with a clutch 3-2 victory. 

The first man to score for our national team that day was Dick Spalding, who later hung up his boots and became an outfielder for the Philadelphia Phillies. A true All-American legend.

BUSINESS
Saudi x Concacaf

This one raised some eyebrows. A few days ago, Concacaf announced a multi-year partnership with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF).

Of course, things were kept very vague. The partnership allegedly aims to expand the growth of soccer at all levels in the region, and it marks the PIF’s entrance into the North American market ahead of 2026. With the Saudi fund’s investment, Concacaf will increase its number of youth tournaments and boost its existing community programs.

Still, this partnership has been met with some reservations. Some have questioned Concacaf’s growing alignment with Saudi Arabia due to the country’s human rights approach, and others have mentioned this seems like a sneaky move by the Gulf nation to shore up support for its 2034 World Cup hosting ambitions.

COVER STORY
The First Soccer Club in America

In the summer of 1862, a group of sixteen students from Massachusetts gathered at the Boston Common to play with a leather ball.

Legend has it that their leader, Gerrit Smith Miller, had come in contact with an early version of soccer when he accompanied his father on a cattle-buying trip to England. Of course, he had to show this new game to his friends back in America, and that’s how the Oneida Football Club was born.

It was a wholesome start, but the story of the club is not without controversy. For centuries, both American football fans and soccer supporters have fought to claim Oneida Football Club as their own.

This is because the Oneidas were known to play a hybrid precursor of both sports, combining rules that allowed a player to kick the ball through a goal but also carry and tackle like in rugby. Think of it as the common ancestor of the footballing sports we know today.

What’s especially notable about the Oneida Football Club, though, is that they were the first football team of any type in the US to be organized on a continuing basis, week to week, and year after year. They played against hopeful challengers from the area between 1862 and 1865, winning all their games and not even conceding a single goal. It’s a ruthless stat, no matter how you slice it.

Later on in 1925, their feats were finally immortalized when the city erected a monument in their honor, right on the Boston Common.

Quite mysteriously, the ball carved at the top of the monument has changed repeatedly over the years, alternating between an egg-shaped one and a round one. If you Google the monument, you’ll see it’s flip-flopped several times across the decades.

I really don’t know what type of ball is depicted on it today, but it’s a mystery I intend to solve in person. I owe it to our soccer forefathers to visit that sacred site. We’ll have answers for you next week.

REVIEWS
Manager Memory Lane

We’re so back. Getting Mauricio Pochettino was an A+ appointment. As expected, the USMNT fanbase was fired up, and a few fans claimed it was the first “real” coach we’d ever had at the helm.

It was a controversial statement, but it opened up a good discussion about our previous managers.

Bruce Arena was one handball away from nearly reaching a World Cup semifinal, and he’s the winningest men’s coach in American history. Jurgen Klinsmann didn’t do a bad job either. Getting out of that group in Brazil 2014 was monumental. All of it does beg the question, who is the best manager we’ve had?

CLUBELEVEN
The Supporters Section

Drop your opinions and hot takes. We’ll highlight your best answers next week.

CLUBELEVEN
Aggregates

Crossover Episode: One cool thing about these summer friendlies is seeing top dogs from various industries come together in their love for soccer. The Jason Sudeikis x Michele Kang meetup was awesome.

LA Times: Borussia Dortmund took out a full-page ad in the LA Times for Marco Reus. It was a wonderful gesture, but Robbie Keane might like a word about who they included. He deserved to be in it.

LD as HC: And speaking of Galaxy legends, Landon Donovan was just named interim San Diego Wave head coach. It didn’t go down too well with some fans, though.

Fired Up: It was a huge weekend for Messiah Bright and firefighter-turned-pro Megan Reid. Messiah bagged a hat-trick and Megan got her first goal for the club in Angel City’s 7-0 rout of FC Juarez. Coincidentally, we had the chance to work with Messiah and Megan on two profile pieces some time ago. It was so cool to see both of them score in one game.

We Dem Boyz: A former USL soccer player tied the NFL record for longest-made field goal while playing for the Dallas Cowboys. Insanity. 

CULTURE
Sophomore Slump

What a difference a year can make. This time in 2023, the Leagues Cup had the country in a chokehold. Now, not so much.

The guys at Urban Pitch break down all the factors that have made this year’s summer cup go through a hard slump. 

For all those boycotting this tournament after what happened with the US Open Cup, it seems like it’s working. Hooooold!

EXPANSION
Ascended

It was unreal. Sellouts across the country, historic “firsts,” and brilliant moments of marketing. The USL Super League’s opening weekend did not disappoint.

We were in Charlotte for the very first game of this newest Division 1 women’s soccer league, and this is what it felt like to be in the building.

Also, it was crazy to see what the Tampa Bay Sun did in their own game in Florida. The whole squad rolled up to the match riding a private water taxi. Peak American soccer.

CLUBELEVEN
Your Takes 🗯️ 

Last week, we asked you if you thought the USL Super League could compete with the NWSL. Here are some of your answers:

• “The women's game still does not host the athlete potential that exists, nor is NWSL scratching the surface in markets, so there is clearly a massive opportunity for the Super League to thrive.” - Chris

• “If they do things well, they could become a better and bigger league than the NWSL.” - John

• “While I believe the Super League can be successful in its own right, I don’t see it as actual competition to the NWSL. I see it as more of a ‘minor-league’ situation, which can be successful if done right.” - S

• “The league will eventually merge with NWSL, growing the women’s game even more.” - Eric

In the poll, “Yes, there is space for everyone” received 40% of the vote. Still, not everyone was as optimistic. The option “No, it will fold in a few years” won with 50% of the vote. Guess only time will tell…

UP NEXT
Join the Open Cup?

The 2024 semis are fast approaching, and we could very well see a USL side make the grand final. Now, we just got word that you can actually become the next Cinderella team in the 2025 edition. Yes, you can sign up your team to play for qualification right here. The deadline is next Monday.

Maybe someday we’ll get a CLUBELEVEN squad in there. A man can dream. For now, we’ll be sticking to telling stories.

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Have a great Tuesday!

Pablo