April 18 (1937)

The St. Louis Shamrocks lose National Challenge Cup (today’s Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup) finals to the New York Americans in 4-2 defeat in New York in a two-game series decided on total goals. The Shamrocks had won the opener 1-0 at Public Schools Stadium in St. Louis on April 11. The loss on April 18 is the first for the Shamrocks in 24 games. Billy Gonsalves and Joe Stratman score for the Shamrocks on April 18. Stratman’s second-half goal ties the game, but George Michaels and Fred Ferreira score for the Americans. Ferreira’s goal in the 72nd minute is the series clincher, putting the Americans ahead 4-3 on total goals. The series marks the 17th time in the last 13 seasons that a St. Louis team reaches the Cup finals. A St. Louis team will not reach the finals again until Simpkins Ford wins the Cup in 1948.