New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-04-14
SwOrdS and Sullivan Best
American Soccer PLAYERS
Imported" Stars Outclassed
by Brilliant Work of These
Two Native-Born Athletes
By c. A. Lovett

"lmpOrted' players are the stars or
many Of the great soccer clevens of
this country. The talent from the
other side is largely from England,
Ireland, Scotland and Wales, but
Sweden, Germany, Italy. Bohemia and
Portugal nave contributed a great num-
Der of men to American soccer ranks.
1t is only in recent years that the ma
tive-born athletes, new to the kicking
game, have been able to surpass on the
field those players who were intro
duced to the game in their early youth
in Europe and subsequently migrated
to the United States.
Two brilliant examples of the Amer
lean soccer player are Captain Thomas
Swords, inside left, and John J.
C"Sinkey'O Sullivan, inside right, of
the national champions, the Fall River
Rovers. of Fall River, Mass. 1t is
doubtful if any two men contribute
more to the puissancc and aggressive
ness Of a forward line anywhere
here or in the cold country"
1t was Swords who led the first
American international team which, I'M
der the tutelagc OF Thomas w. Cahll,
U. S. +. A. secretary, attained success
sive triumphs in Norway and Sweden
in the summer of 1916. Again it was
Swords, fearless. indomtable Tommy
who dethroned the two-time national
champions, the Bethlehem Steel aggrc-
CATION of highly paid stars, gathered
from all sections of this country and
of Great Britain. in the National Chal-
lengc Cup final last May at Paw
tuckct, r. 7. His daring goal in the
first minute of play was the lone tally
Of that bitter battle
How Goal Was Scored
Since it was the writer's own ac-
count, we may borrow from the fore
part of the description Of that classic
strugg appearing in Spalding's Of
fetal Soccer Guide:
Swords Melted the ball from beau
tiGul pass by Centre Forward Landy
With lightning boot he crossed the
internationally famous Bethlehem
goalie, William Duncan, almost before
the shrill of the starting whistle ceased
to echo. The fame that goal added to
his already brilliant football record
was we'll earned; his wonderful, I'M
expected, fierce dash. virtually from
the kickoff, was strikingly character
ist;c of his nerve and sharp, aggrcs-
sive play. Swords vicious, accurately
curving kick, Il sudden blow that STRUCK
deep into the imposing record of the
powerful Bethlehem machine, left awe
struck spectators and players alike"
Swords and Sullivan have been
largely responsible for preserving az
unsullied record to the Fall River club
this season. Weakened by army and
navy enlistments, the champions have
been hard put to remain in the ma
tional championships this season
Against at least two strong compcti-
tors-thc Pan-American i. c. of Fall
River and the Bridgeport City eleven
it was Swords who, by audacious,
quick-wittcd attack, turned into victory
what seemed inevitable defeat. He
scored four of his clubs five goals
against the Lynn Hibs. in the U. S.
F. A. fourth round
Soccer authorities accord to Swords,
4 fiery, red-headed Irish American
lad, the title of foremost American
soccer player. He was born in Fall
River, where he first played associa-
tion football for Davis and Davol pub
lie schools. In 1908 and 1904 he played
professional soccer for Whittenton A.
c., of Taunton, Mass. In 1905 Swords
made his debut with the Rovers and
remained member of that club until
1911, when the Philadelphia Hibernians
weancd him away from his home town
club and retained him three seasons.
In the 1914-15 season he was with
New Bedford A. c., and the following
year returned to the Rovers, which
team he since has captained