Philadelphia Nationals was the name of two American soccer clubs based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that were both members of the professional American Soccer League.

Passon F.C./Passon Phillies/Philadelphia Nationals

Originally, and amateur club called Passon F.C., the club became better known as the Passon Phillies or Philadelphia Passon. The team joined the professional American Soccer League prior to the 1936/37 season. Prior to the 1941/42 season, the club became the Philadelphia Nationals.[1]

The club withdrew from the league prior to the 1942/43 season and was replaced an amateur Philadelphia club, Fairhill F.C., that was admitted to the league and took the name Philadelphia Nationals.[2][3]

Year-by-year

Year Division League Reg. Season Playoffs National Cup
1936/37 N/A ASL 4th, National 1st Round Quarterfinal
1937/38 N/A ASL 4th, National Did not qualify First round
1938/39 N/A ASL 3rd, National Semifinals ?
1939/40 N/A ASL 9th No playoff ?
1940/41 N/A ASL 7th No playoff ?
1941/42 N/A ASL 9th No playoff ?

Fairhill F.C./Philadelphia Nationals

Originally, and amateur club called Fairhill F.C., the team joined the professional American Soccer League prior to the 1942/43 season to replace the Philadelphia Nationals which withdrew from the league in the off-season. Fairhill F.C. was admitted to the league and took the name Philadelphia Nationals.[4][5]

The club earned a "mini-double" in both 1949 and 1951 winning the league championship and the league cup (the Lewis Cup). The club won the Lewis Cup again in 1952.[6] The Fairhill Club withdrew their sponsorship of the team prior to the 1953/54 season and, due to subsequent financial difficulties, the club folded after four games.[7]

Year-by-year

Year Division League Reg. Season Playoffs National Cup
1942/43 N/A ASL 9th No playoff ?
1943/44 N/A ASL 5th No playoff ?
1944/45 N/A ASL 5th No playoff ?
1945/46 N/A ASL 9th No playoff ?
1946/47 N/A ASL 8th No playoff ?
1947/48 N/A ASL 5th No playoff ?
1948/49 N/A ASL 1st(t) Champion Final
1949/50 N/A ASL 1st Champion (no playoff) ?
1950/51 N/A ASL 1st Champion (no playoff) ?
1951/52 N/A ASL 2nd No playoff Final
1952/53 N/A ASL 1st Champion (no playoff) Semifinals
1953/54 N/A ASL 9th folded after 4 games N/A

References

  1. ^ Litterer, David (2005-04-02). The Year in American Soccer - 1942 Archived 2016-03-05 at the Wayback Machine. Sover. Retrieved on 2014-09-30.
  2. ^ Graham, William (September 2, 1942). "Two Flatbush Soccer Squads Combine Forces". The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. p. 14.
  3. ^ Graham, William (September 9, 1942). "State Soccer Election Meeting Set For Saturday". The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. p. 14.
  4. ^ Graham, William (September 2, 1942). "Two Flatbush Soccer Squads Combine Forces". The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. p. 14.
  5. ^ Graham, William (September 9, 1942). "State Soccer Election Meeting Set For Saturday". The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. p. 14.
  6. ^ Philly Soccer History - 1940s and 1950s. Philadelphia Union. Retrieved on 2014-09-30.
  7. ^ Graham, William (November 11, 1953). "Loss of Backer Drops Nationals Out of League". The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. p. 14.


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