The Boston Celtics Were A Soccer Team First

Before they were an NBA team, the Boston Celtics were first making waves as a soccer club as early as 1927. This week, we look back at the forgotten story of the Boston Celtics soccer team. Plus, we dig up an obscure “denim” kit from 1978, examine an unlikely Grey’s Anatomy crossover with a soccer club, dig into the scariest new mascot you’ve ever seen, and more.

This week’s stories:

• 👖 The Other “Denim” Kit From 1978

• 🚌 Woody’s First MLS Stop?

• ☘️ The Boston Celtics Were A Soccer Team First

• 👨🏻‍⚕️ McDreamy the Soccer Ultra

• 🗳️ Poll + Last Week’s Answers

• ➡️ And More

OUR HISTORY
The Other “Denim” Kit From 1978

On May 20, 1873, Levi Strauss & Co. made history when it received a patent for its riveted pants, marking the official birth of the blue jean. Today, that quintessential American company pretty much celebrates the date as a holiday, so on such a special day, we figured we’d see if they had any ties to the soccer world.

And lo and behold, turns out Levi’s actually created a World Cup jersey once. It was an absolute beauty, and it was such a rare crossover that collectors still fawn over it to this day.

You’d never guess what country it was for and what the design looked like. Definitely not what you’d expect from the company.

CLUBELEVEN
Woody’s First MLS Stop?

Bank it. For the Open Cup Round of 16 (and our 8th stop across the country with the bus), we’re heading to Inter & Co Stadium to catch Orlando City host Nashville this Wednesday. For anyone in the area, come check out our soccer museum on wheels, hang out before the match, and help us tell the story of soccer in Orlando!

It should be an exciting one since it’s our first stop with an MLS team, and we’ve got some fun stuff planned. The Soccer Odyssey keeps on rolling!

COVER STORY
The Boston Celtics Were A Soccer Team First

Believe it or not, the most successful NBA franchise of all time might actually owe a lot to soccer.

Way before the Boston Celtics started playing hoops in 1946, there was a notable soccer club in Boston going by that very name since at least 1927.

The Boston Celtics soccer team competed in various New England cup competitions and also featured in multiple iterations of the American Soccer League (ASL). Before 1933, when this first professional soccer league in the US was still in its heyday, there were a few mentions of the Boston Celtics playing in it. Yet, most clippings in old Boston Globe editions come from after 1933, when the ASL had relaunched as a smaller, less robust league.

Still, their name was frequently in the papers between the 1920s and 1940s, which is coincidentally the time when the NBA Celtics founder, Walter A. Brown, was in his teens and early adult years.

Could this longstanding local soccer team have influenced Brown to name his basketball franchise the Boston Celtics? Perhaps, though, the official story goes that the name was a nod to the Irish population in the city, as well as a reference to a popular basketball team from New York. But who really knows? It’s not as if they’d ever admit the name came from a soccer background.

And yes, it all sounds very “conspiracy theory-like,” but here’s where things get even more interesting. NBA legend Bob Cousy, an early Celtics star from 1950-1963, later became commissioner of the reincarnated American Soccer League in the 1970s, helping it expand and gain visibility during his tenure… adding another intriguing crossover between the NBA Celtics and the soccer world. Do what you will with that information 🧐

No matter how Brown may have come up with the moniker for his NBA team, it’s still cool to be able to say that the Boston Celtics were first a soccer team, not a basketball team. For one, it’s another stark reminder of the deep roots that soccer carries in our sporting history as a country, and second, it’s just something I know I’ll be parroting at anyone who comes to visit me in Boston during the World Cup next year.

EXPANSION
McDreamy the Soccer Ultra

From breaking hearts in Grey’s Anatomy to leading the chants at Hearts of Pine.

Renowned actor Patrick Dempsey was in attendance at the Hearts game in Maine over the weekend, and he made the most out of it.

He ate traditional pre-match oysters, got rowdy with the Dirigo Union, and witnessed the team earn its first three points in the league. You can tell he had the time of his life.

CLUBELEVEN
The Supporters Section

The US National Team dropped their 2025 jerseys last week (see them here). Love them? Hate them? Let us know your thoughts. We’ll highlight your best answers next week!

CLUBELEVEN
Aggregates

Club World Cup Playoff: Mark your calendars. Next Saturday (May 31), LAFC will host Club America for a spot in this summer's FIFA Club World Cup. Win, and you’re in.

American FA Cup Winners: With Crystal Palace’s FA Cup win over the weekend, there are now four Americans who have ever lifted that historic trophy. The story of the first one to do so, back in 1873, will blow your mind. 

Stick Season: It’s finally that time of year. Vermont Green are back, and last week, they dropped some beautiful pre-match kits with the help of the legendary Sam Mewis. I’m afraid I’ll have to get one… just like every season.

Worrying: Human Rights Watch says FIFA should be prepared to reconsider the choice of the US as World Cup co-host.

Launch It: A Puskas contender in USL? Most definitely. Check out this 70-yard bomb from Westchester SC’s Juan Carlos Obregon.

OPEN CUP
Derby della Dylan

There are some endearingly weird rivalries in the American pyramid. There’s the Dirty River Derby, the Henny Derby, and a bunch more. Most of them are in the lower leagues, but this one between the Houston Dynamo and Minnesota United is an awesome one, too.

It all started with an innocent Open Cup clash between the two, and due to a series of hilarious events, this fixture is now known as The Dylan Wolpers Derby, aka Derby della Dylan, aka El Dylanclasico.

But how did this regular dude become the center of a rivalry? Find out here.

HORROR
The Best Soccer Mascot Ever

Meet Saucy T. Sausage, the demented mascot of USL2 side Portland Bangers out in Oregon.

I can only describe this monstrosity as the stuff of soccer/minced meat nightmares. Yet, in some sick, twisted way, it’s one of the best—or at least most memorable— mascots in the whole country. Personally, I love it.

Here’s how Saucy was conceived. You won’t be disappointed. Built for bangers.

CLUBELEVEN
Your Takes 🗯️ 

Last week, we asked you: How much are you willing to spend on a World Cup ticket? Here are some of your answers:

• “Less than $300. Even $300 is too much!” - Jill

• “$500. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I have been saving ever since it was announced the US would host in 2026. I don’t want to miss experiencing one World Cup match live.” - Eric

• “$300. Wish it was more family friendly in all aspects - cost, atmosphere, safety, security - every sporting event I've been to lately there's been drunken fights […]” - T.A.

In the poll, “Less than $300” came in first with 61% of the vote, while “$300” came in second with a little over 17% of the vote.

Overall, it seems like around $300 or less is really the price point that most fans in general would be willing to pay, at least based on the results here and also on a lot of different conversations we’ve had with folks around the country. I think we’re all crossing our fingers that it will be somewhat affordable.

UP NEXT
The Lions’ Den

It’s all hands on deck as we gear up for this very special stop with the bus. Excited for the interviews we have scheduled and some of the plans we have with the supporters groups. We also got an awesome tour of the facilities yesterday, which only makes us even more eager for Wednesday. Hope to see some of y’all there!

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Have a great Tuesday!

Pablo