When did the USMNT play its very first game?

The United States Men’s National Soccer Team (USMNT) has over 150 years of history that dates back to the late 19th century. While the team has experienced its fair share of highs and lows over the decades, its journey began with a humble and historic first game. The inaugural match laid the foundation for what […]

The United States Men’s National Soccer Team (USMNT) has over 150 years of history that dates back to the late 19th century. While the team has experienced its fair share of highs and lows over the decades, its journey began with a humble and historic first game.

The inaugural match laid the foundation for what would become a storied soccer tradition in the United States.

Clark Field in the East Newark district of Kearny, New Jersey, hosted the very first international match outside of the United Kingdom on November 28, 1885. The contest pitted the United States against Canada.

With a score of 0-1, the Canadians prevailed. The United States came out on top the next year in a match played at the same stadium; the Americans scored the game’s lone goal. However, officially, neither game was acknowledged.

Why wasn’t it considered official? Per This Day In Football History, the reason is that Canada’s Western Football Association arranged the contest with the unofficial governing body of US football, the American Football Association. As a result, both countries consider it an unofficial international.

Official debut

Instead, according to some records, the USMNT played its very first game on August 20, 1916, marking the beginning of the team’s international journey.

This match took place in Stockholm, Sweden, when soccer was still gaining a foothold in the United States. The American team, a mix of amateur and semi-professional players, faced off against Sweden; it was a significant event for both nations.

For Sweden, it was one of their early ventures into international soccer. For the United States, it was a…

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Author : Martina Alcheva

Publish date : 2024-08-31 18:22:01

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