The Globe-Time -- Bethlehem
April 12, 1927
STEEL SOCCER TEAM FACES TOUGH GAMES
League Heads Saddle Double Bill Upon Champions Close to Big Hakoah Game
PLAYERS ON INJURED LIST

That Bethlehem hopes of successfully defending the National soccer championship are not seriously considered by league executives became apparent when the Steelmen were scheduled for two hard league games over the weekend. In fact of the injuries prevalent among the players and the exhibition game against the Hakoahs here a week from Wednesday, the defending champions face a grueling task before going into the Eastern final National Cup round the Sunday following.

4 Big Games

While it was expected that Bethlehem would have one league game over the weekend, which is usually the arrangement when a team is facing an important issue like the cup final, the order of the league for a double bill was quite a surprise to the Bethlehem management. So much in fact that the local management asked relief, which with a reply of "sorry" was turned down by President "Bill" Cunningham. Which means that Bethlehem will have four big games to play, one of which is a cup final, in the East.

Indiana Flooring and the New York Giants are the teams Bethlehem is scheduled to face in league games over the weekend, Indiana plying on Lehigh field on Saturday afternoon. For the Sunday game Bethlehem will journey to the home grounds of the New York Giants.

What is most regretted by the local management and which will undoubtedly reflect on the league executives is that the game in New York, where the fans have always been loyal to Bethlehem and turned out in large numbers, the management will more than likely field a reserve lineup.

Players Injured

A visit to the club house following the game against Newark last Sunday discloses that the physical condition of the players is far more serious than many anticipate. Stark and Goldie, are each nursing injured knees; MacGregor was unable to play against Newark last Sunday because of an injured foot and is far from recovered; Allan, regular fullback is out with an injured knee and will hardly be able to play again this season; Granger, too, is still nursing an injured jaw bone.

With all these injuries Bethlehem will be hard pressed by the two league games over the weekend. Furthermore, discounting the injuries, there is not a sufficient number of reserves available to field two distinct teams.

1926-1927
Bethlehem Steel Soccer Club 1