The 1888–89 American Cup was the fifth edition of the soccer tournament organized by the American Football Association. The Fall River Rovers won their second consecutive title by defeating the Newark Caledonians in the final.
Participants Newcomers to the tournament were the Paterson Rangers and Trenton Rovers. Absent was the Ansonia team while New York was defunct and the Kearny Rangers had amalgamated with ONT.
StateCityTeamMassachusettsFall RiverEast EndsOlympicsRover F.C.New JerseyPatersonPaterson F.B.C.Paterson RangersNewarkAlmasClark O.N.T.Caledonian ClubTiffany RoversTrentonTrenton F.B.C.Trenton RoversNew YorkNew YorkAmateur LeagueThistlesRhode IslandPawtucketFree WanderersProvidenceProvidence Athletics
First round The Fall River Olympics drew a first round bye. The first game between the Almas and Paterson was not completed due to the ball bursting early in the second half. Paterson refused to continue so Alma claimed the contest. However, after a meeting of the delegates it was decided that the game should be replayed because the game had started without a referee in the first place. Clark ONT was awarded their replay match as a result of Trenton Rovers failure to appear.
replays
Second round Pawtucket and Thistles drew a second round bye.
Third round ONT drew a bye.
Semifinal Caledonians drew a bye.
Final
GK J. ThompsonFB J. BrownFB D. GloakHB W. BarrHB R. McDonaldHB William HeadLW T. HendryLW R. McWilliamsC J. McCormackRW J. WilliamsonRW T. Morgan GK Dennis ShayFB Richard HarwoodFB Bernard Fagan (c)HB Frank BradleyHB Henry WaringHB Richard LonsdaleLW Joseph BuckleyLW Charles DuffC Frank CornellRW Robert BellRW Thomas BruckshawManager:Frank Miller Match rules 90 minutes Replay if game ends in a draw
American Cup bracket
Notes;
Champions
American Football Association Challenge Cup Rover F.C. Second Title
References
Sources Outing National Police Gazette New York Herald New York Times Spirit of the Times Trenton Times Fall River Herald Daily Advertiser Evening News Sunday Call