The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1922-04-12
English aad ,.AmerieS.n Football.

English a9d o..An,erix.n Football.
ST. Louis. Mo-, april. 7.-That
England. the cradle of soccer.
foottall. has been soutStripped by
America. in this sport. is the be-
lief Of Thomas W Cahili. founder
OF soccer in the United States.
Mr. Cahill. who is secretary Of
the United States Football Asse-
ciaticn. which controls soccer in
this country. suggested that all-star
elevens of both countries meet
either in the United States or
abroad TO decide the championship
and settle the question Of soccer
supremacy between the two conn
tries.
Discussing The merit :. Of the
American style Of soccer as played
by American born players. Cahill
stated that America was about
ready to pass the old country in
playing this game, which was i'm
ported from the British Isles.
Il believe" he continued, that
Lceuld pick a team Of American
born players that could defeat any
all-British team today"
when the Third Lanark team
came to the United States last year
for a tour of this country, it was
made up Of picked internationalists
"a strong combination. Yet one Of
our teams in the East. not a cham
pion, PLAYED the Britons to q
standsti,,1' -.
Il made the suggestion to the
Lanark manager that we could
beat England. and then made him
this offer: 70 pick. an All-Ameri-
can team to play a picked British
team. I agreed to play abroad If
the. Britons. would guarantee our
expenses. Or / would guarantee
the expenses Of the British team to
this country if they cared to do
that. He has not accepted the
proposition.
such a game ought to he play
ed abroad because Of the immense
interest that would be created. In
England the international cup ties
draw crowds Of more than 10000
twice our maximum totals in
baseball. And. l stin stand ready
to go and believe the United States
would win.
They have stood still in Eng
land or gone back. The United
States is still inferior in finesse, as
the Britons are past masters at
trapping and controlling the ball.
But a team of 10 second men
breaks up this combination. In
America the game is played in high
for the entire contest. whereas in
England they want to relax. III
goal shooting. speed, aggressive
ness and other factors America is
equal to or better than the old
eeunory today.
This. opinion is shared in
Sweden, Norway and Denmark,
elevens from, which countries have
met football teams from this coun-
Try. anu ,kIOiIl Tie btftl:ii ASiSS.
too. Swedish authorities long ago
told me that America had out
stripped England in fo O b a II
strength. I believe it,
Mr. Cahill also expressed the
opinion that a picked team from
St. Louis could til the All-Ameri-
can requirement, although he said
many fine American. born players
were being developed in the East.
The ScuNin team OF st. Louis holds
the championship. of america.
Paying a tribute to England as
the home of soccer Mr.. Cahill
concluded:
The United States owes great
debt TO the old country boys who
in the past have Taught us the fun
damentals and who. are responsible
in part for the, present standing OF
the game in this country. There
are many wonderful old country
players on teams in 1.-The United
States today But l think the
American eaglets are about ready
to euit their nests.