The 1921–22 American Cup tournament was not held."Soccer Cups Limited". (May 28, 1921). Buffalo Evening News, p.14 col.6 In accordance with new rules passed "Restrict Soccer Cup Competitions". (May 28, 1921). Philadelphia Inquirer, p.14 col.6 by the USFA, the American Football Association did not conduct a tournament for the 1921–22 season."United States Soccer Body Restricts Ties". (May 28, 1921). Newark Evening News, p.14 col.2 The hiatus was brief, though, with the tournament resuming the following season."Restore Soccer Series". (June 4, 1922). Pittsburgh Press, p.5 col.2"Big Soccer Year Expected". (August 19, 1922). Evening Bulletin, p.8 col.1
History On previous occasions, the tournament was either diminished or not held. In the period from 1899 to 1905, the tournament was not held because the AFA had disbanded, for mostly economic reasons. In 1906 the opportunity for re-establishment arose and the tournament resumed.
The tournament was next affected in the 1916–17 season, by rules adopted in the Southern New England FA. With Massachusetts teams forced to choose just one out-of-state tournament, some chose the National Challenge Cup. The 1917 edition went on as planned, but the AFA suffered a financial loss from the withdrawals of the Massachusetts squads.Carswell, Duncan (1917). "Annual Report Of President", Official Soccer Football Guide, 59.
Ruling The situation this season was far more serious."To Miss Cup Play". (September 18, 1921). Pittsburgh Press, p.4 col.4 The USFA established a new rule that allowed only for State Cup competitions in addition to the National Cup."No Annual Affair". (September 25, 1921). Oregon Sunday Journal, p.7 col.2 Competitions like the Peel Cup and the American Cup accepted out of state entries. With the AFA operating out of New Jersey, the new ruling would not allow for the other major districts that regularly took part in the American Cup (New England, New York, and Eastern Pennsylvania) to compete, leaving only New Jersey participating. Thus, with an insufficient number of entries to conduct a viable tournament, the AFA was forced to abandon the 1922 edition.Henderson, James B. (September 6, 1921). "Local Soccer Team Wins At Scottish Meet". New York Evening Post, p.5 col.3 Other factors included fixture congestion with the inaugural season of the American Soccer League."Robins Drydock Monopolizes Soccer Honors Of The Year". (December 25, 1921). New York Tribune, p.13 col.1-2 The ASL opened with eight teams and had intended for 28 game schedule. A number of the frequent contenders for the American Cup took part in the first ASL season."Future Looks Good For Soccer League". (September 4, 1921). The Sunday Call, p.10 col.4 Consequently, there were those opposed to this action by the U.S. Federation.Wilcox, Levi (January 2, 1922), "Would Have Soccer Cup Tourney Revived", Philadelphia Inquirer, p.9 col.3-6 The ruling itself had initially only passed by one vote. It had been noted that it was a detrimental move to the growth of the game and that American Cup games had been more lucrative than the National Cup games and the American League games.Wilcox, Levi (May 2, 1922), "May Revive A.F.A. Soccer Cup Tourney Revived", Philadelphia Inquirer, p.19 col.1-2Collins, George M. (January 11, 1922), "Soccer Growing Game Everywhere", Boston Globe, p.9 col.1 Eventually the American Cup was allowed to resume operations after the USFA meeting in May 1922."Massachusetts Scores At Soccer Convention". (May 25, 1922). Boston Globe, p.17 col.3–5 The American Cup could be played provided the respective state associations granted permission to their registered teams to participate.
Holders The Robins Dry Dock squad of Brooklyn had won the two previous editions of the tournament, the second of which was paired with a National Challenge Cup win to complete 'the double'. Robins had merged with the Tebo Yacht Basin team to become the Todd Shipyards, which finished runner-up in the 1922 National Cup, giving credibility to a potential repeat as American Cup champions had they been able to defend their title. Many of the Todds players made their way to Paterson F.C. for the 1922/23 season, strengthening them sufficiently to win the National Cup; however, they fell shy of the American Cup, losing out in the semifinals.
New Jersey State Cup Aside from the National Challenge Cup the next highest level of tournament competition for New Jersey teams was the State Cup. The professional ASL team from Harrison benefited from not having any of their counterparts hailing from New Jersey as they easily won the State Championship. Harrison was only able to defeat the American Cup holders one time in five attempts, one being an elimination from the Eastern Semifinal of the NCC. Meanwhile, other regular AFA competitors featured in their respective state competitions.
New York State Challenge Cup
Massachusetts State Cup
Connecticut State Cup
Peel Challenge Cup
See also 1921–22 National Challenge Cup 1921–22 American Soccer League
References