The first round of the National Challenge Cup competition involving the big soccer teams in the Eastern and Western divisions must be played on or before February 27. The draw for the round was made in the two divisions.
The Bethlehem soccer team is the defending champion, having won the title in decisive fashion by defeating the Ben Miller’s of St. Louis at Brooklyn last year.
Bethlehem’s opponent in the opening round is the Philadelphia F. C. the game to be played in Philadelphia on Saturday, February 26. This date, together with the Sunday following is left open on the American Soccer League schedule.
The Eastern division includes all the American Soccer League clubs together with several independent booting organizations. While Bethlehem should experience little trouble in disposing of the Phils in their first round, the same cannot be said of Fall River, one of the leading contenders for the honors.
The Marksmen are drawn to meet New Bedford in the opening round and can expect stiff opposition from the Whalers. Boston steps out of the league ranks to meet the Fore River soccer team, of Quincy, Mass.
Two other contests which forecast torrid battles and in which league teams will be engaged are Indiana Flooring and New York Giants and J & P Coats and Providence. Of the latter, Coats is low in the club standing but the thread makers have always proven dangerous in cup classics.
The complete draw for the Eastern division follows:
Boston S. C., Boston, Mass. vs. Fore River F. C., Quincy, Mass.
Buffalo Hungarian F. C., Buffalo, N. Y. vs. Whittall’s Carpet Mills F. C., Worchester, Mass.
Fall River F. C., Fall River, Mass., vs. New Bedford F. C., New Bedford, Mass.
Providence F. C., Providence, R. I., vs. J & P Coats A. A. F. C., Pawtucket, R. I.
Trenton F. C., Trenton, N. J., vs. Viking A. C., New York City.
Philadelphia S. C., Philadelphia, vs. Bethlehem Steel F. C., Bethlehem.
Indiana Flooring Company, New York City, vs. New York Giants, New York City.
Brooklyn F. C., Brooklyn, N. Y., vs. Newark S. C., Newark N. J.
The home club is the first mentioned.