The 1921–22 Philadelphia F.C. season was the first season for Philadelphia F.C. and its first season in the American Soccer League (ASL). Finishing with a record of 17 wins, 4 draws and 2 losses (38 points in the ASL standings), Philadelphia finished well ahead of second-place New York F.C. (14-5-5 and 33 points) and won the pennant, ending the season on May 8, 1922, with a 2 to 1 win over the J. & P. Coats team in Pawtucket before 4,000 fans."Philadelphia Wins Pennant— Coats Are Beaten at Pawtucket Before 4000 Fans. Score 2 to 1.", Fall River (MA) Globe, May 8, 1922, p.11 The team had clinched the pennant on April 22 with a 3 to 0 victory over the Holyoke Falcos for their 16th win of the season."Quaker Soccer Eleven Clinches Flag Pennant", The Morning Union (Springfield MA), April 23, 1922, p.13 ("By winning today, the Phillies have won the American League pennant. They cannot lose the pennant, regardless of the outcome of their one remaining game."
The league was originally to have included the Bethlehem Steel F.C. but, just before the season started, Bethlehem Steel dropped out of the league and was replaced by Falco F.C. The Bethlehem Steel officials disbanded the club and threw their resources behind the Philadelphia F.C. Most of the best Bethlehem Steel players were signed to Philadelphia F.C.
Philadelphia F.C. won the league, but it was the only season for the club in that incarnation. Following the season, the Philadelphia club was transferred "back" to Bethlehem and a new team was organized in Philadelphia to take its place.
American Soccer League DateOpponentsH/AResultF–AScorersAttendance17 September 1921J. & P. Coats F.C.A3-0Campbell (3)24 September 1921J. & P. Coats F.C.H6-2Brittan (2), Forrest (2), Campbell, Fleming1 October 1921New York F.C.H2-1Brittan (2)2 October 1921Todd Shipyards F.C.A2-0Brittan, Fleming9 October 1921New York F.C.A3-3Bethune, Brittan (2)22 October 1921Falco F.C.H5-1Brittan (2), Murray, Morley, Fleming29 October 1921Harrison S.C.H3-1Forrest, Brittan, Fleming (pk)13 November 1921Harrison S.C.A3-0Murray, Brittan (2)19 November 1921Fall River F.C.A1-0Brittan3 December 1921Falco F.C.A5-3Brittan (2), Campbell (2), Collier10 December 1921Fall River F.C.H3-1Fleming, Campbell, Brittan17 December 1921Todd Shipyards F.C.H1-1Fleming2 January 1922New York F.C.H1-3Murray7 January 1922J. & P. Coats F.C.H3-1Fleming, Campbell (2)21 January 1922Fall River F.C.A2-1W. Rice5 February 1922Todd Shipyards F.C.A3-6Fleming (2), Forrest11 February 1922Fall River F.C.H5-2Morley, Brittan (2), Campbell, Lorimer11 March 1922Harrison S.C.H6-3Brittan (5), Fleming12 March 1922Harrison S.C.A2-2Brittan, Neilson19 March 1922New York F.C.A2-3Morley, Brittan25 March 1922Falco F.C.H5-0Brittan, Fleming (3), Neilson1 April 1922Todd Shipyards F.C.H1-1Brittan22 April 1922Falco F.C.A3-0Murray, Fleming, Lorimer6 May 1922J. & P. Coats F.C.A2-1Fleming, Jaap
Club1Philadelphia F.C.2417437236+36382New York F.C.2414555933+26333Todd Shipyards F.C.2412575637+19294Harrison S.C.248784544+1235J. & P. Coats F.C.239593440-6236Fall River F.C.2451182857-29117Falco F.C.2223171764-477n/aCeltic F.C.5005524-190 Pld = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; Pts = Points
National Challenge Cup DateRoundOpponentsH/AResultF–AScorersAttendance15 October 1921First Round; Eastern DivisionEastern Pennsylvania DistrictKingessing F.C.H8-25 November 1921Second Round; Eastern DivisionEastern Pennsylvania DistrictM. E. Smith F.C.H4-126 November 1921Third Round; Eastern DivisionEastern Pennsylvania DistrictFleisher Yarn F.C.A5-026 December 1921Fourth Round; Eastern DivisionNew York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania DistrictTodd Shipyards F.C.H1-4Forrest
Notes and references Bibliography
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