April 3 (1932)

Stix Baer & Fuller loses in the finals of the National Challenge Cup (today’s Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup) to the New Bedford (Mass.) Whalers, 5-2, before a paid crowd of 7,371 at Sportsman’s Park in the second game of a two-game series decided on total goals. The teams had tied 3-3 after regulation and overtime on March 27. New Bedford had won the last two Cups under the name of the Fall River (Mass.) Marksmen. The Whalers, replete with future U.S. Soccer Hall of Famers, dominate the match, but can’t break through until the 57th minute when Tec White scores off a free kick by future Hall of Famer Billy Gonsalves. Stix gamely comes back two minutes later on a goal by Lou Ahrens. But future Hall of Famer Werner Nilsen and Gonsalves each score for a two-goal lead that is too much to overcome. Willie McLean tallies for Stix in the 74th minute, but Bill McPherson and Tom Florie score to finish off Stix. New Bedford outshoots Stix 27-11 for the match. “Rarely have St. Louis fans been treated to such an exhibition of ball control and combination play,” Herman Wecke will write about the Whalers in the next day’s St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Ironically, the outcome will pay long-term dividends for Stix. Impressed with the size of the crowds (7,181 paid to attend the first game, also at Sportsman’s Park), player-manager and future Hall of Famer Alec McNab, along with Gonsalves and Nilsen, will jump to Stix next season, helping build a dynasty that will reach the next five National Challenge Cup finals, winning three.