Soccer interest throughout the country will focus on Lehigh Field, Center Street and Elizabeth Avenue, on Saturday afternoon, when the crack Hakoah All-Stars, fresh from their triumph in annexing the National soccer championship appear in their first start since garnering the coveted honor.
The Jewish all-star aggregation resumes its league campaigning against Bethlehem, their most formidable foe in the East, and a team that has conquered the New Yorkers in four out of five league starts and shared in a draw in the odd game.
The game here on Saturday is not down on the boards as a cup affair, but certainly can be expected to be fought in true cup style and that means that neither team will give or ask quarter but wage bitterly the full ninety minutes of play. The laurels at stake is no title, but prestige that will undoubtedly have a strong bearing in the rating of merit.
Advices from New York are to the effect that Hakoah players came through the cup finals in excellent condition and every regular who contributed in the brilliant success of the team will be in his regular position for Bethlehem. These include Fisher, a phenomenal goalie, and the entire coterie of soccer stars. The team is evenly balanced having a defense to compare favorably with the fast and accurate shooting forward line.
The lineup of the Bethlehem team cannot be determined until Saturday, due to the uncertainty of Bob MacGregor and Bill Carnihan. Both players reported at club headquarters on Thursday afternoon and each showed a marked improvement in his condition. The management has hopes that both will be available and has included the names of each in the lineup.
No word has been received from Johnny Jaap, inside right, and as a result he is not expected to be available. With Jaap missing some drastic changes are necessary on the forward line and will see Sturdy Maxwell, a forward when the Third Lanarks toured this country and for several seasons playing the same position with Bethlehem, back with the offensive group. Maxwell will play inside right in Jaap’s position. The only other position doubtful on the forward line is entirely confined in choice between Johnny Rollo and Purgavie.
Word was received today from the National Commission that William Gibson, the fullback secured from Boston this week, will be reinstated and eligible to play as soon as his fine of $100 reaches the offices of the U. S. F. A. The amount was immediately wired.
While Bethlehem is satisfied to leave the choice of the referee to the league executives, there seems to be some squabbling over the appointment in New York, the home of the Hakoah team. Pat Howley, of Philadelphia, is expected to handle the game, but a last minute change would not be surprising. The kickoff will be promptly at 3 o’clock. The probable lineup:
Bethlehem – Hakoah All-Stars
Beveridge – G -- Fisher
Gibson – RFB – Grosz
Allan – LFB – Sternberg
Reid – RHB -- Nicklesburger
Carnihan – CHB – Guttmann
MacGregor – LHB – Maurer
Gillespie – OR – Schwartz
Maxwell – IR – Hauesler
Stark – CF – Gruenwald
Massie – IL – Wortmann
Purgavie – OL – Eisenhoffer