Drawing a Gun at the Open Cup Final

In 1916, the biggest soccer game in America ended with a bang. This week, we uncover the story behind one of the most controversial finishes to a tournament in our history. Plus, we take a closer look at the newly announced Women’s Club World Cup, we examine a tragic trip to Asia by Johan Cruyff’s Washington Diplomats, and much more.

This week’s stories:

• ✈️ The Tragic Diplomats Tour Across Asia

• 🏆 Women’s Club World Cup Coming to America

• 🔫 Drawing a Gun at the Open Cup Final

• 🌁 Roll Fog Event in Oakland

• 🗳️ Poll + Last Week’s Responses

• ➡️ And More

OUR HISTORY
The Tragic Diplomats Tour Across Asia

On October 27, 1980, Johan Cruyff’s Washington Diplomats set sail on a 10-game tour of Asia, right as club operations were falling apart in DC.

Tragically, the club folded on November 24th while the club was still playing on the other side of the world.

The Diplomats’ final match took place in Tokyo against the Japanese National Team, bowing out with a 1-1 draw right as the club was shuttering its doors back home. Just another crazy anecdote in ‘80s American soccer.

EXPANSION
Women’s Club World Cup Coming to America

Incredible news, especially for anyone who was worried that things might slow down in America after the 2026 World Cup.

The inaugural edition of this tournament will be played entirely in the US in January of 2028 (host cities TBD).

My only concern is that the number of teams that’ll likely participate from the NWSL seems a bit low…

COVER STORY
Drawing a Gun at the Open Cup Final

Just a little over 110 years ago, the U.S. Open Cup produced one of the craziest endings to a game our country has ever seen.

The grand final of the tournament took place in Pawtucket, RI, between Bethlehem Steel and the Fall River Rovers, two of the best sides in the U.S. during those early days of American soccer.

The game was a cagey affair throughout, until Bethlehem Steel was awarded a penalty with only a few minutes left on the clock.

The Rovers players swarmed and threatened the referee, with hundreds of supporters in the stands hurling abuse at the official. Of course, it was to no avail, but that penalty call would only be the start of a terrible chain of events.

Bethlehem Steel converted from the spot, and with the Rovers chasing an equalizer in the final couple of minutes, things reached a boiling point.

In the final play of the match, a ball ricocheted off a defender’s wrist inside the Bethlehem Steel box, and the Rovers thought they’d surely be awarded a penalty.

Instead, the referee blew the final whistle, and that’s when things truly went south. A newspaper account from 1916 described the scene as follows:

“[When he blew the whistle] he was struck in the back by a fan who had been in the lead in the wild rush at the referee. His failure to call what the Rovers thought was a penalty kick for their team seemed the last straw and in an instant Whyte [the ref] disappeared in the seething mob.”

The mob of fans was so vicious that the players themselves had to jump in and try to defend the referee. Meanwhile, the Pawtucket police took out their clubs and rushed over to try to help the players protect the ref.

But the fans didn’t relent, and they battered and bruised several of the players and police officers in the process. Things were absolute chaos on the pitch, and the mob didn’t stop until one of the officers pulled out a revolver and threatened to shoot.

Talk about ending a final with a bang…

In a weird way, it’s kind of wild to realize that our soccer forefathers cared so deeply about the sport that they’d riot over a game. Not to condone violence, of course, but I suppose 110 years is enough time to now be able to laugh about it.

(Shoutout to The Pursuit of Soccer in America for digging this one up last week after the Open Cup Final, and to Ed Farnsworth for the awesome research surrounding this crazy game)

COMMUNITY
Roll Fog Event in Oakland

Mark your calendars! If you’re in the Bay Area, head down to Neighborhood Sports Club this Friday, October 30, for a special event hosted by Roll Fog and presented in collaboration with SF City FC, Futbol by the Bay, and CLUBELEVEN!

Here’s what you can expect:

• Zine launch: “Making of Roll Fog” with a foreword by us at CLUBELEVEN!

• Documentary screening: 40-minute preview of the upcoming Roll Fog Film

• SF City FC pick-up: San Francisco City FC’s Futbol By the Bay team will be participating in NEIGHBORHOOD SPORTS CLUB Friday night games

RSVP (Free) right here!

CLUBELEVEN
The Supporters Section

Let us know why you’d choose one over the other—we’ll feature your best answers next week!

CLUBELEVEN
Aggregates

New Mexico Madness: A last-minute rocket to clinch the No.1 seed in the West? Hell yes. One of the most clutch goals you’ll ever see…

Trick or Treat: The cutest mascot in American soccer may just have the best Halloween costume.

Record Loading: Nashville SC clinched their first Supporters’ Shield in club history, and are now on the verge of breaking this insane record…

Golden Award Winners: The Ballon d’Or ceremony came and went. Now check out the awards (and upcoming nominees) for this domestic competition.

Goodbye Legend: A longtime New England Revolution icon just announced his retirement. This one hurts…

BUSINESS
More USL Pro/Rel Updates

Little by little, Pro/Rel seems to be materializing in the USL ecosystem.

Last week, the organization unveiled a new brand identity in line with the vision and goals that they have for the future.

You can check it all out here.

TRAVEL
Away Day of a Lifetime

With the first major trophy in club history hanging in the balance, a group of die-hard St. Louis City SC supporters got on a bus and traveled over six hours in hopes of seeing their beloved team lift the U.S. Open Cup in Columbus.

The great Jordy Marsono was lucky to be on the bus too, capturing this historic occasion from start to finish alongside the St. Louis road warriors. It was a day full of twists and turns…

CLUBELEVEN
Your Takes 🗯️ 

Last week, we asked you: Would you rather play in MLS (earning $600k a year) or play in MLB (earning $5M a year)? Here are some of your answers:

• “MLS. This is a soccer newsletter, no further comments will be made.” - Dario

• “MLB. Just like Oscar going to China in his prime sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.” - BD

The poll results came in at 58.8% for “MLS” and 42.8% for “MLB.”

The poll was actually pretty close, and I can see both sides… but I’d have to choose MLS for sure. I once had a dream that I was an MLS journeyman/cult hero that retired after winning MLS Cup at Audi Field 😅. Even my subconscious is aligned.

TRAVEL
Catch a Game in Europe ✈️

This 2026/27 European season, we’re teaming up with Champions Travel once again, this time as our official European Ticketing Partner to help us with our storytelling efforts across the pond!

And if you’re looking to go on a European adventure of your own this season, make sure to use our code CTCLUB11 with Champions Travel to receive 10% off all football packages! (cap of €50 per person, can be used once per person.)

UP NEXT
West Coast

It was a whirlwind of a week that started in Munich and then took us over to Chicago for the weekend (more on that coming soon 👀).

Now, we have a couple of things to work on over on the West Coast, and we might just have to drop by and see how our old pal Woody is doing…

Enjoying This?

Make sure to forward this email to a friend and help us spread the soccer gospel far and wide! We’ll see you next week with even more untold stories of soccer.

Have a great Tuesday!

Pablo