 | |||
| Full name | Boston Beacons | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname | Beacons | ||
| Founded | 1968 | ||
| Dissolved | 1968; 57 years ago (1968) | ||
| Stadium | Fenway Park | ||
| Capacity | 33,375 | ||
| League | NASL | ||
| 1968 | 5th, Atlantic Division | ||
TheBoston Beacons were an Americansoccer professional team that competed in theNorth American Soccer League (NASL) in 1968. The team was based inBoston and played their home games atFenway Park. Originally intended to be a charter member of theNational Professional Soccer League (NPSL) in 1967, the team played its first and only season in the1968 NASL following the merger of the NPSL and rivalUnited Soccer Association.
In 1966, several groups of entrepreneurs were exploring the idea of forming a professional soccer league in United States and Canada. Two of these groups merged to form theNational Professional Soccer League (NPSL) and franchise rights were awarded to ten ownership groups.[1] Boston was originally chosen as a team location, but withdrew from the 1967 season as the organization was unable to find a suitable stadium.[a][2] The NPSL announced that Boston would join the league in 1968 with a team owned by retiredBoston Celtics coachRed Auerbach andBoston Red Sox executive vice presidentDick O'Connell.[3] In April 1967, General ManagerJoe McKenney announced that the team name ofBeacons had been chosen based on fan suggestions and that the team would start play in 1968 atFenway Park.[4] In June 1967,Jack Mansell was hired as head coach, resigning fromRotherham United to take the position.[5] In preparation to join the league, the organization hosted an exhibition match between theBaltimore Bays and theChicago Spurs in July 1967.[6]
Following the merger of theNPSL and theUnited Soccer Association, it was announced that the city of Boston would be represented by one of the 20 teams in theNorth American Soccer League (NASL)[7][b]; theBoston Shamrock Rovers of the former USA folded, leaving the New England region to Beacons.[8][9][10]
The Beacons opened their season on the road against theOakland Clippers with a 2–1 loss in front of 5,714 fans, losing due to a botched clearance that bounced off a Beacon player and into the net for the Clipper's winning goal.[11] On July 8, 1968, the Beacons lost by a score of 7–1 to Brazilian teamSantos FC, who were touring the United States and playing a series of exhibition matches against NASL and international teams. Santos starPelé scored a goal and created an assist in the game played before a crowd of 18,431, the largest to attend a Beacons match at Fenway Park.[12] The team finished the season in last place in the Atlantic Division with a record of 9 wins, 17 losses and 6 draws, and an average attendance of 4,004.[13]
During a meeting of NASL officials on October 24, 1968, GM Joe McKenney stated that the team would "100 per cent chance" quit the league. The team officially folded shortly after.[14]
| Year | League | W | L | T | Pts | Regular season | Playoffs | Avg. attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | NASL | 9 | 17 | 6 | 121 | 5th, Atlantic Division | Did not qualify | 4,004 |
