American soccer writing, history & data.
The 1916-17 season of the St. Louis Soccer League was the picture of stability as all four clubs and managers returned from the prior season. The league again played Sunday doubleheaders at Robison Field and all the officers were re-elected during the offseason.
That returned results at the turnstiles as 3000 attended the opening doubleheader on October 15, 1916. On Christmas Day, 6000 were on hand to see Ben Miller hold the great Bethlehem Steel Company team to a 2-2 draw at Robison Field. One postponed doubleheader on February 4 meant one less match than the original 21 games scheduled which saw Ben Millers barely retain their title by one point over Innisfails. St. Leo's improved and finished third just two points behind the champions with the Naval Reserves squad not far behind.
On March 25, 1917, Ben Miller played the Municipal League champion Keen Kutters. The Hatters blanked the Keen Kutters 4-0 before 9000 at Robison Field. Ben Miller then made a three-game trip playing the top teams in the east. On April 7, Bethlehem Steel got revenge blanking Ben Miller 2-0 before 2500 at the new Bethlehem Steel athletic grounds. The next day, New York F.C. edged the Hatters 3-2 at Harlem Field in front of 4000 fans. And, finally, on April 9, Disston A.A. beat Ben Miller 3-1 before 2000 at the Disston Ball Park in the Tacony neighborhood in Northeast Philadelphia.
©2024 by Daniel Creel. All rights reserved.