When Springfield comes here on Saturday to test the merit of the Bethlehem Steel soccer team, the local clan will try hard to retrieve the points lost and regain their position at the top of the American League standing. The margin of difference in the standing with Indiana Flooring on top is such that one game could make a material difference.
Springfield comes here as a new member of the American Soccer League, having been admitted to the vacancy made by the withdrawal off Shawsheen. Among the players who represent the new club are Dave Carson, Bethlehem goalie for a number of years, and Neil Turner, another former popular Bethlehem player. While Springfield does not hold a very commanding position in the league standing at t he present time, lacking probably the consistency which will be acquired as the season progresses, the club is nevertheless dangerous when on its game and proved this when the newcomers handed Fall River its first defeat of the present season.
The management of the club is arranging to make the game a gala occasion and indicated that it will be. The Boosters are active and during the week will concentrate their efforts in increasing the ranks of home town supporters.
The league race has developed into one of the bitterest soccer fights ever experienced. Rivalry among the clubs is wholesome but nevertheless waged with a bitter determination. Bethlehem, as usual, is the target of the most keenest rivalry for a victory over Bethlehem means much to the prestige of the club succeeding in that achievement.
Indiana, Bethlehem, Boston, Brooklyn and New Bedford are the clubs that are bunched closest to the league top and that close in fact that a single defeat would result in a decided revision of the percentage table. Bethlehem is fortunate this week in having only one game scheduled, that with Springfield here, and must win to remain as runner up to the top club.
How close the race is is quite evident by the following stands of the clubs:
|
P |
W |
D |
L |
Pts. |
Pct |
|
|
Indiana |
13 |
7 |
4 |
2 |
18 |
.692 |
|
Bethlehem |
11 |
6 |
3 |
2 |
15 |
.682 |
|
Boston |
13 |
7 |
3 |
3 |
17 |
.654 |
|
Brooklyn |
11 |
6 |
2 |
3 |
14 |
.636 |
|
New Bedford |
13 |
7 |
2 |
4 |
16 |
.615 |
|
Fall River |
13 |
6 |
2 |
5 |
14 |
.538 |
|
Providence |
13 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
12 |
.462 |
|
N. Y. Giants |
12 |
5 |
1 |
6 |
11 |
.458 |
|
Springfield |
13 |
4 |
3 |
6 |
11 |
.423 |
|
Coats |
11 |
3 |
2 |
6 |
8 |
.364 |
|
Philadelphia |
12 |
2 |
2 |
8 |
6 |
.250 |
|
Newark |
13 |
2 |
2 |
9 |
6 |
.231 |