1924–25 National Challenge Cup

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The 1924–25 National Challenge Cup was the annual open cup held by the United States Football Association now known as the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

1924–25 National Challenge Cup
Dewar Challenge Cup
Tournament details
CountryUnited States
Dates17 January – 19 April 1925
Defending championsFall River F.C.
Final positions
ChampionsShawsheen Indians (1st title)
Runner-upCanadian Club
Semifinalists
← 1924
1926 →

History

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Teams from the American Soccer League and St. Louis Soccer League had won the previous several Challenge Cups, but dissatisfaction with the financial arrangements led the two leagues to boycott this year's cup. While the United States Football Association gained its operating income from annual dues by member teams, most of its income came from its annual challenge cup.[1] On the other hand, the owners of the top professional teams saw the challenge cup as a money losing competition as they were forced to play obscure amateur teams which tended to have smaller crowds and therefore gate receipts. After USFA took its cut, the amount distributed to the teams frequently did not cover the travel expenses. Therefore, the SLSL proposed, and the ASL agreed to, the creation of an American Professional Soccer Championship.[2] That game series took place in April 1925 at University Field in St. Louis, Missouri. Over the three games, the Boston Soccer Club defeated the Ben Millers in front of an average crowd of over 10,000 spectators per game.[3] In contrast, the National Challenge Cup final between the Shawsheen Indians and Chicago Canadian Club, played at the usually high drawing Mark's Stadium, saw only 2,500 spectators, down from the 18,000 who watched the 1924 final. At a May 1925 meeting, USFA agreed to reduce their percentage of the gate receipts from 33.3% to 15%. This diffused the ASL and SLSL hostility to the challenge cup leading to their re-entering the competition for 1926.[1]

Eastern Division

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First roundSecond roundSemi-finalsFinal
 
              
 
 
 
 
Shawsheen Indiansw/o
 
February 28 - Andover
 
Arlington Mills
 
Shawsheen Indians4
 
February 22 - Rochester
 
Whittal F.C.1
 
Moose F.C.2
 
March 21 - Boston
 
Whittal F.C.5
 
Shawsheen Indians2
 
February 14 - Philadelphia
 
Bayonne F.C.0
 
Lighthouse Blue Sox2
 
March 1 - Jersey City
 
Bayonne F.C.3
 
Bayonne F.C.1
 
February 22 - Bridgeport
 
Lexington F.C.0
 
Clan Campbell1
 
April 4 - Andover
 
Lexington F.C.3
 
Shawsheen Indians2
 
February 14 - Quincy
 
Abbot Worsted1
 
Fore River F.C.0
 
 
 
Abbot Worsted2
 
Abbot Worstedw/o
 
 
 
Waypoyset F.C.
 
Waypoyset F.C.w/o
 
March 21 - New Bedford
 
Boston United
 
Abbot Worsted3
 
February 22 - Ansonia
 
Sayles Finishing Plant2
 
Ansonia F.C.4
 
March 1,14
 
Manchester1
 
Ansonia F.C.0-2
 
February 14 - Pawtucket
 
Sayles Finishing Plant3-9
 
Sayles Finishing Plant3
 
 
Lorraine Manufacturing Co2
 

Western Division

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First roundSecond roundSemi-finalsFinal
 
              
 
January 25 - Chicago
 
 
Chicago Canadian Club3
 
February 15 - Chicago
 
Gillespie S.C.0
 
Canadian Club2
 
February 8 - Chicago
 
Pullman F.C.1
 
Pullman F.C.4
 
Mar 1,8,15 - Chicago
 
Sparta ABA1
 
Canadian Club3a
 
February 8 - Chicago
 
Harvey F.C.2
 
Bricklayers and Masons0
 
February 15 - Chicago
 
Olympia F.C.2
 
Olympia F.C.0
 
January 18 - Chicago
 
Harvey F.C.2
 
Harvey F.C.3
 
March 22 - Chicago
 
North Shore F.C.0
 
Canadian Club2
 
January 25 - Cleveland
 
Cleveland Thistles1
 
Cleveland Thistles5
 
February 8 - Cleveland
 
British War Veterans0
 
Cleveland Thistles2
 
January 18 - Akron
 
Goodyear F.C.0
 
Goodyear F.C.5
 
March 1 - Cleveland
 
Mahoning Valley1
 
Cleveland Thistles3
 
January 17 - Vestaburg
 
Vestaburg SC2
 
Vestaburg SC6
 
February 15 - Charleroi
 
Jeannette F.C.2
 
Vestaburg SC2
 
February 8 - Toledo
 
Toledo S.C.1
 
Toledo S.C.2
 
 
Gar Wood SC1
 

a) aggregate after 3 games

Final

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Shawsheen Indians (MA)3–0Chicago Canadian Club (IL)
Smith   20'
Purden   35' (pen.)
Carrie   60'
Report
Attendance: 2,500
Referee: William Norse (USA)

References

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  1. ^ a b "May 14, 1925 The Globe". Archived from the original on October 21, 2009.
  2. ^ "November 7, 1924 The Globe". Archived from the original on October 21, 2009.
  3. ^ "The Year in American Soccer – 1925". Archived from the original on March 3, 2009. Retrieved March 22, 2008.