The American Striker With a Better Record Than Ronaldo

In 1925, an American player set an unbelievable goalscoring record. This week, we look back at his incredible feat, which even the greatest strikers in global soccer history have failed to replicate. Plus, we rewind to a magical run by a Kansas City Wizards goalie, celebrate a huge moment with Taylor Twellman & Kermit the Frog, announce our upcoming bus destination for this Saturday, and much more.

This week’s stories:

• 🪄 A Wizard in Net

• 🚌 The Soccer Bus Coming to Miami

• 🥇 The American Striker With a Better Record Than Ronaldo

• ❌ The Snub Controversy

• 🗳️ Poll + Last Week’s Answers

• ➡️ And More

OUR HISTORY
A Wizard in Net

On a day like today, legendary goalkeeper Tony Meola logged an MLS record that has stood for twenty-five years.

Between the months of April and May of 2000, Meola kept his net unbeaten for an astonishing 681 minutes.

On May 27, 2000, someone was finally able to score against him and the KC Wizards, cementing his prolific run at that impressive minute tally. A quarter of a century later, Meola’s shutout streak still stands as the longest by a goalkeeper in MLS regular season history. A true icon.

CLUBELEVEN
The Soccer Bus Coming to Miami

Big match. Big kits. Big bus. Join us at the Golaço Kits store in Miami on Saturday, May 31st!

Come catch the huge game between PSG & Inter Milan together, check out our bus & traveling American soccer museum, browse the incredible selection of jerseys at Golaço Kits, enjoy a special screening of our Teófilo Cubillas short film, participate in a mystery raffle, and more.

Attendance is free, but you must RSVP right here!

COVER STORY
The American Striker With a Better Record Than Ronaldo

He’s one of the greatest goalscorers of all time, and chances are you might’ve never heard of him.

Archie Stark was a naturalized American citizen who served in the US Army during WWI, later played for the USMNT, and scored an astonishing 67 goals in a single ASL season—the top flight in the US during the 1920s and ‘30s.

His ridiculous goal tally in a season was only broken by Messi in 2011/12 when the Argentine scored an astonishing 73 goals during that campaign. However, Messi’s tally included cup competitions, so according to the Guinness World Records, Archie Stark remains the player with “the most football (soccer) league goals scored in a single national top division season (individual).”

For context, the most league goals Messi ever scored was 50 in 37 games, and the most Ronaldo had was 48 in 35 games. Archie Stark had 67 goals in 44 games.

And sure, you might say his accomplishments happened 100 years ago under a completely different context. And you’d be right—during the 1924/25 season, the offside rule stipulated that three opponents had to be between an attacking player and the goal-line, which meant it was significantly harder to score goals back then.

But that didn’t stop him from setting the ASL alight. During his incredible 1924/25 season, Archie Stark scored eight hat tricks and had three 5-goal outings. Despite being an outstanding striker, Archie Stark only made two appearances for the USMNT, but he made those count. In his debut, he scored four goals against Canada, and to this day, he still shares the record for most goals in a game representing the USMNT.

And as if all those records weren’t enough, Archie Stark firmly remains the most prolific goalscorer in American pro (outdoor) soccer history with 260 total goals in 10 ASL seasons. He’s followed by Giorgio Chinaglia in the NASL with 242 (including playoffs) and Chris Wondolowski with 171 in MLS.

On May 27, 1985, Archie Stark passed away at the age of 87. As we mark the 40th anniversary of his passing, it’s the perfect time to remember everything he accomplished for soccer and for our country. So, next time someone talks about the best goalscorers of all time, make sure to bring up Archie’s name. He is, unequivocally, one of the best to ever do it.

SOCIETY
The Snub Controversy

It’s the hot topic of the week. Captain America has decided not to play in this summer’s Gold Cup—the USMNT’s final major tournament ahead of the World Cup.

To be fair, other stars won’t be present either, and it’s been an arduous Serie A season. Still, his decision to sit this one out to rest has drawn criticism from some fans and analysts alike.

What do you think? Fair decision or poor from our captain?

CLUBELEVEN
The Supporters Section

He divided the US soccer world with this move. Wise? Or unpatriotic? Let us know your thoughts. We’ll highlight your best answers next week!

CLUBELEVEN
Aggregates

Bit by the Bug: The McKinney Chupacabras made history in their USL2 home opener over the weekend. A legion of fans just fell in love.

Reveal 2.0: The Boston Legacy will be unveiling their crest at a special event on the Boston Common next Saturday. Here’s how you can get a spot.

Rizzler x FIFA: I did not expect this collab at all.

Brawl: Things got ugly between the fans at the San Diego FC vs LA Galaxy game over the weekend.

Brilliant Banda: Orlando’s incredible forward set a new NWSL record for fastest-ever hat trick in league history. Impressive!

EDUCATION
Taylor Twellman & Kermit the Frog

MLS legend, vocal pundit, and now University of Maryland graduate.

Taylor Twellman went back to school to finish his degree, and he got his diploma this past week, right when Kermit the Frog (who was actually born at the UMD campus in the ‘60s) gave the commencement speech.

A very random yet wholesome set of occurrences—huge congratulations to both! As a fellow Maryland grad, it was awesome to see this news.

FASHION
The Palmetto Kit

Hummel keeps killing it with their kits for USL teams.

If all the stuff out of Portland wasn’t enough, they just dropped this beauty alongside the Charleston Battery.

The jersey honors South Carolina’s 237th anniversary, showcasing the palmetto tree on its side. This iconic symbol of the state has roots dating back to the 1700s, has appeared on the state flag since the 1800s, and is recognized as the official state tree.

My favorite part, though, is the detail on the sleeve that reads: “While I breathe, I hope.” The phrase is the state’s motto translated from Latin, and just the perfect words to have on a kit.

As a huge fan of crossovers between soccer and American history, this one is going straight to my jersey collection.

CLUBELEVEN
Your Takes 🗯️ 

Last week, we asked you: What do you think of the new US kits for 2025? Here are some of your answers:

• “I think USNT needs a real, iconic jersey or color scheme, like Brazil, England, Netherlands, etc. There is no brand recognition, always a work in progress.” - BSL

• “Pin stripes, meh.” - Brett

• “Better than usual, still underwhelming.” - Eric W.

• “Love them. And the photos are so good! Congrats to Andrea [Vilchez].” - RC

• “Uninteresting and tiresome; dull.” - T. Boggess

In the poll, “I like them” finished first with nearly 35% of the vote, while “I love them” and “Meh” both brought in approximately 30% of the vote each.

I’m strongly in the camp that believes we should have an iconic color scheme/design like every national team does around the world. In regard to this year’s collection, though, I like them better than a few of the designs from previous years. The star pattern on the white and the pinstripes on the blue are pretty cool, but I do hope for a little more oomph come 2026. Expectations will be crazy high for that one.

UP NEXT
Vice City

It was an amazing time in Orlando for last week’s Open Cup match. We went to a historic soccer site, cleared a path for supporters with our bus, and had a hectic encounter with the law. You can see how it all unfolded here. 

Now, after taking a few days to reenergize, we’re ready to drive to Miami for our event with Golaço Kits on Saturday. It might just be our last stop in the Southeast for some time…

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Have a great Tuesday!

Pablo