SLSL 1926-27 season

Jan. 21, 2022 |  Categories:  SLSL   St. Louis  

Following the failure of the Western Soccer Cup Association in mid-November 1926, the officials of the Soccer and Exhibition Co. of St. Louis reorganized the St. Louis Soccer League. Sunday doubleheaders were to continue the next Sunday after WSCA play ended but the matches at Sportsman's Park on November 21 were postponed due to snow. The league schedule for the 1926-27 season began on November 28 among the four SLSL teams: Willie Foley's Ben Millers; Harry Ratican's Raticans; Tate Brady's Wellston F.C.; and Harry McCarthy's White Banner Malts (a renamed Vesper-Buick).

Ben Miller won the season title by a point over Wellston to take their third straight championship. The league played their final doubleheader on March 28, 1927 at St. Louis University Field because the league was forced to move its games because the grounds crew at Sportsman's Park needed to get that field in shape for the coming baseball season.

Ben Miller also made it to the National Challenge Cup Western Semifinals, the furthest of the SLSL clubs. On Sunday, April 3, Ben Miller tied Sparta of Chicago (their former WSCA rival) 2-2 at St. Louis University. The game, watched by 5000, was tied at regulation but neither team was able to score in the two 15-minute extra periods.

The next Sunday, Ben Miller traveled to play Sparta in the replay at 27th Street and Kostner Avenue in Chicago. The Hatters lost 1-0 before the 7000 in attendance. On April 24, Ben Miller beat the Killarney Roses, Municipal League champions, 2-1 before 1000 at St. Louis University Field to be recognized as city champions.