I.S.A. Acquires the "Noel Lemon collection"

Noel Lemon is one of the pioneers of the modern professional era of American soccer. He brought an NASL Championship to Oklahoma with the Tulsa Roughnecks and the ASL and National Championship to Florida's Ft. Lauderdale Strikers. The effects of the Strikers on the South Florida community is still endeared to this day. The Chamber of Commerce recognition award (below) was presented to the club after winning the National title.

Lemon was also instrumental in bringing top level international soccer to the United States when almost none existed. He organized the Marlboro Cup - a star studded international event that allowed the US National Team to prepare for their first World Cup in 40 years and give Americans the taste for quality international soccer.

During his tenure as GM of the Roughnecks, the club toured Britain and played against some of the historied clubs such as Cardiff City (Wales), Leicester City, Portsmouth and Derby County (England), as well as clubs from Holland and Bermuda.

The gift that was exchanged between Tulsa and Derby Couty F.C. (below) was this magnifcent statue of a ram - the nickname of Derby County club.

The Marlboro Cup (played from 1987 to 1990) hosted in several American cities, included visits from Millionarios, America de Cali and Atletico Nacional (Colombia), Colo-colo (Chile), Sporting Cristal and Alianza Lima (Peru), Benfica and Sporting (Portugal), Club America and Atlas (Mexico), Juventus (Italy) and Flamengo (Brazil).

The US World Cup Team was also able to play other National sides from South Korea, Uruguay, Colombia, Costa Rica, Russia and Poland.

The silver presentation coupet (above) was made by the famous Tiffany & Company. It is one of the many fine gifts exchanged during the tournament which was held at various times in Miami, New York, Los Angeles and Chicago.

"This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to exhibit these artifacts" says I.S.A. Historical Director Chuck Zsolnai. "We are pleased that Noel's work and the legacy from this era of American Soccer will be preserved for future generations."

There are plans for a touring exhibit and the artifacts will be available for other museums to loan and organizations to research.

Philadelphia - 100 Years of Soccer

On the eve of Philadelphia Union's Major League Soccer debut, the International Soccer Archives has acquired rare memorabilia from the city of Brotherly love. While many European soccer clubs can trace their beginnings back over a century, several American cities have played the sport just as long. Pennsylvania's Eastern mecca of Philadelphia is one such city.

With strong British roots dating to colonial days, Philadelphia was a playground for exiled Britons who imported the sports of horse racing, boxing and soccer to America. Organized soccer leagues formed as early as 1884. One of the nation's most prominant was the Allied American Football Association which spurred the likes of powerhouse club Bethlehem Steel F.C., and was directly affiliated with The Football Association in England.

The Bethlehem Company's footballers were National Champions on several occasions. They would be joined in later years by semi-pro and amateur clubs such as the Philadelphia Ukranians, and professionals like the Philadelphia Atoms, who won the title in their innaugural NASL season.

Cup and tournament play were organized and divisional tables were marked with championship medals and trophies. These recent additions to the I.S.A. collection include these medals and postcards of these early clubs.

The Allied American Football Association was the second oldest organized sports league in America after baseball. They were recognized by FIFA in 1913 and had established the American Cup - the fore runner to the (Lamar Hunt) U.S. Open Cup.

The artifacts that were added to the I.S.A. collection include:

- 1917/18 (Philadelphia) Allied American Football League medal
- 1914/15 (Philadelphia) Allied American Football League medal
- 1910  Philadelphia Cup medal
- 1913/14 West Philadelphia F.C. postcard
- 1912c. Philadelphia soccer team photo

FIFA World Cup Winner Medal Up For Auction

The 1950 FIFA World Cup winner's medal awarded to Juan Alberto Schiaffino (1925-2002) was put to auction recently. The solid gold medal with ring suspension was given to the Uruguay squad members for defeating host Brazil in the 1950 World Cup final. It was offered on Ebay, the online auction site.

In addition to the FIFA medal, the auction contained several key items reflecting Schiaffino's duel international appearances - 20 caps for Uruguay and 4 for his adopted Italy.

The collection includes awards from his successful club career with CA Penarol before transferring to Italian giants AC Milan and later AS Roma.

The lot, which also included a commemorative Rolex watch engraved for services with Roma, did not meet the minimum bid of $150,000 USD or the "buy it now" option of $200,000 USD.

Bornstein's Boots - A Boost for Haiti

Sometimes a kick is just a kick, a smile is just a smile ... but in the case of USA international Jonathan Bornstein - the fundamentals of both worlds apply.

Recently, Bornstein offered up his game-worn soccer shoes to raise money for the American Red Cross and their humanitarian aid to earthquake ravaged Haiti.

The boots he wore (above) while scoring against Costa Rica on October 14, 2009 not only won the match for the USA, but allowed Honduras to also qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

Jonathan kindly autographed the pair of shoes (above) which were sold on ebay, the online auction site. They drew 51 bids and finished with a final price of $1,725 USD - all which will go directly to the Haiti cause.

It is not often that such well publized memorabilia can make it into the hands of the general public. However, this item is well documented and a great addition to any international soccer collection.

Second wave ... 2009 Wall of Champions

Additional donations have arrived to fill out the 2009 Wall of Champions exhibit.

 
TORONTO FC gained their first title of their short history - the Canadian Championship. Newly acquired MLS superstar DWAYNE DE ROSARIO's famous # 14 jersey has been secured. TFC battled rivals Vancouver Whitecaps and last year's winners - Montreal Impact in the 2009 tournament.

The MONTREAL IMPACT did not go without allocades - winning what may perhaps be the final USL Championship in history.

The Impact were kind enough to send this team signed Championship jersey along with other memorabilia.

World Cup bound MEXICO won the 2009 Concacaf Gold Cup in impressive fashion.

The jersey of English-based youngster, GIOVANNI SANTOS has been added to the Champions display along with a gold winners medal thanks to the Mexican Football Federation.

Brick By Brick ... Wall of Champions

The first wave of artifacts for the 2009 WALL OF CHAMPIONS have arrived.

The Richmond Kickers, USL-2 Organization of the Year - managed by VP of Communications Shelley Sowers - contributed the game-worn jersey of top scorer Matthew Delicate. Delicate led the USL-2 goal scoring with 13 tallies.

The USL-1 best regular season record went to the Portland Timbers. As is customary, the club was awarded the Commissioner's Cup for 2009. Japan's veteran of 2 FIFA World Cups - Takayuki Suzuki - was instrumental in the Timbers success and his game-worn jersey will represent Portland.

The Seattle Sounders, who can trace their roots back to the 1970's, capped a successful MLS inaugural season by winning the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. The winning goal was scored by long-time Sounder - Roger Levesque. His game-worn Cup jersey was donated to represent the Seattle Sounders.

The MLS club with the best regular season record - The Columbus Crew - were awarded the Supporter's Shield. The Crew were MLS Cup Champions in 2008 and wore the "Scuddetto" champions star on their jersey throughout the 2009 season. The game-worn jersey of Venezuelan international and team Captain Alejandro Moreno was added to the Wall of Champions.

In addition, a winners medal from the 2009 Open Cup winners will be displayed on the Wall of Champions to represent the Seattle Sounder's first trophy as an MLS club.

2009 Wall of Champions

The International Soccer Archives is proud to announce its latest upcoming exhibit - 2009 Wall of Champions. The very best of North American professional soccer teams will be part of a new multi-functional exhibit.

The Wall of Champions will include the actual game-worn jerseys, photos, medals and artifacts from the various competitions of the past season. The following teams have been confirmed:

2009 Concacaf Gold Cup winners - Mexico
2009 FIFA Confederations Cup winners - Brazil
2009 MLS Supporter's Shield winners - Columbus Crew
2009 Nutrilite Canadian Cup winners - Toronto FC
2009 U.S. Open Cup winners - Seattle Sounders
2009 Concacaf Champions League winners - Atlante FC
2009 USL Champions - Montreal Impact
2009 USL League winners - Portland Timbers
2009 USL-2 Champions - Richmond Kickers

* Real Salt Lake has opted not to participate in the exhibit

"We are hoping to give recognition to all the particpants who have brought the fruits of victory to their respective communities."