Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Brian D. Bunk

@brianbunk.bsky.social

1.6K followers 220 following 42 posts

I study the early history of soccer in the United States. My book "Beyond the Field. How Soccer Built Community in the United States" is available here: https://www.press.uillinois.edu/books/?id=p088780

www.press.uillinois.edu

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Pinned

Brian D. Bunk @brianbunk.bsky.social · Jun 10

Today is the official publication day of my new book: Beyond the Field. How Soccer Built Community in the United States. It tells the stories of less well known soccer communities around the USA

A 3D image of the cover of the book Beyond the Field how Soccer Built Community in the United States. A black and white photo of a soccer team is on the cover and it has a green background with the outline of a soccer field

1 4 22

Reposted by Brian D. Bunk

Protagonist Soccer @protagonistsoccer.bsky.social · 1d

🗣️ We need your help! Only 10 Official Henny Derby shirts have been sold and we want to make an impact in the communities of @rivercity93.bsky.social and @kylecarr.bsky.social
👕 We have teamed up with @oliveandyork.com and all profit will be donated!
🫱🏾‍🫲🏽 Like & Share!
oliveandyork.com/products/hen...

9 11

Reposted by Brian D. Bunk

Tony Collins @collinstony.bsky.social · 2d

Why have American football and American soccer shared the same origin story from the 1860s? Find out more about the Boston Game and its curious afterlife with me, Mike Cronin and Kevin Tallec Marston on the new 'Rugby Reloaded': on.soundcloud.com/eZysXDAFx0x2...

203. The Boston Game and the Origins of Football in America

Our new episode investigates the origin story of football in America, in conversation with Mike Cronin and Kevin Marston, authors of 'Inventing the Boston Game: Football, Soccer, and the Origins of a

soundcloud.com

4 6

Reposted by Brian D. Bunk

Dr Alexander Jackson @dralexanderjackson.bsky.social · 10d

With it being #Railway200 this weekend, here is a potted look at what @nfmofficial.bsky.social has in its collections related to football and the railways (plus the odd bit from my own research)

All aboard! 🧵🚆

a man wearing a hat is playing with a train set .

ALT: a man wearing a hat is playing with a train set .

media.tenor.com

1 5 5

Reposted by Brian D. Bunk

FootyCon @footycon.bsky.social · 13d

We’re very excited to announce the location for #FootyCon26 in the next few days!!

We won’t tell you just yet… but feel free to have a guess to where we might end up!

The only hint we’ll give you is the answer is in our new logo.

Post your guesses in the comments ⬇️

2 3 5

Reposted by Brian D. Bunk

Soccertown Media @soccertownmedia.bsky.social · 14d

open.spotify.com/episode/25u4...

Soccertowns: A Starting XI of US Soccer

open.spotify.com

1 2 2

Brian D. Bunk @brianbunk.bsky.social · 14d

Here is an image for the book. Atlantic City Association Football Club in 1912. Organized by the Lodge of St. George

Photo postcard showing a soccer team posing for a team portrait. Eleven men are in uniform with white shirts and shorts. Five other men are wearing suits and there are four children in the picture

2 4

Reposted by Brian D. Bunk

Society for American Soccer History @ussoccerhistory.org · 23d

Thanks to work done by SASH member @dancreel.com, 4 clips released by SASH in August of unidentified teams, grounds & matches in Philly have been identified as Bethlehem Steel FC vs Newark SC, Fall River Marksmen & Brooklyn Wanderers in 1928. Read about it at www.ussoccerhistory.org/bethlehem-st...

4 15

Reposted by Brian D. Bunk

Society for American Soccer History @ussoccerhistory.org · Sep 4

If you’re in the Andover, MA area on Sunday, Sep. 7, join the celebrations at Lower Shawsheen Field for the 100th anniversary of Shawsheen FC US Open Cup victory.

3 6

Reposted by Brian D. Bunk

Soccertown Media @soccertownmedia.bsky.social · Aug 27

🚨New episode! Tom and Kirk track the long line of women’s soccer that led to the very first USWNT, the 85ers, whose wild week in Italy 40 years ago laid the foundation for one of the most dominant programs in American sports.

And the “OOSA!” chant 💪⚽️ podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a...

Little Earthquakes: The First Women’s National Team

Podcast Episode · AN AMERICAN GAME · 08/27/2025 · 43m

podcasts.apple.com

1 2 3

Reposted by Brian D. Bunk

Minneapolis Music History @mplsmusichistory.bsky.social · Aug 25

On this date: Aug. 25, 1981. The Replacements released their “Sorry Ma, Forgot to Take Out the Trash” LP. It’s their debut LP, recorded at Blackberry Way and released on Twin/Tone Records.

Front cover of Replacements “Sorry Ma, Forgot to Take Out the Trash” LP.

Beach cover of Replacements “Sorry Ma, Forgot to Take Out the Trash” LP.

2 10 34

Reposted by Brian D. Bunk

Minneapolis Music History @mplsmusichistory.bsky.social · Aug 24

On this date: August 24, 1984. Soul Asylum released their debut LP, “Say What You Will…” The record was produced by Bob Mould.

Cover of Soul Asylum “Say What You Will” LP.

3 6 34

Reposted by Brian D. Bunk

Kyle Scoble @scoblevision.bsky.social · Aug 20

I got to sit down and talk with @soccertownmedia.bsky.social about their new podcast "An American Game" that dives into US Soccer history, culture and dare I even say... lore

Click through and let me know what you think! urbanpitch.com/an-american-... #soccer #ussoccer #ussf #mls #nwsl #usmnt

'An American Game': Uncovering the Untold History of Soccer in the US - Urban Pitch

Diving into the forgotten history of soccer in the United States, An American Game is a podcast that doesn't need hot takes, exclusive insider transfer rumors, or splashy guests.

urbanpitch.com

3 5

Reposted by Brian D. Bunk

Frank MacDonald @frankmsounders.bsky.social · Aug 16

Ahead of Monday's 40th anniversary, a bit about the 1st USWMNT and WA's strong influence. www.frankmacdonald.net/the-absolute...

The Absolute Beginning - The Frank MacDonald Blog

Eight members of the first U.S. Women’s National Team were from Washington. On Aug. 18, the Reign celebrates the 40th anniversary of their historic debut. They were the first. And whatever has happene...

www.frankmacdonald.net

7 7

Reposted by Brian D. Bunk

Dan Creel @dancreel.com · Aug 13

@ussoccerhistory.org is starting to put up footage of soccer matches from the early days of US soccer.

I wanted to quickly point to a couple of them. They are a doubleheader of games from 2 December 1928 at Starlight Park in the Bronx.

[links below]

1/

2 4 15

Brian D. Bunk @brianbunk.bsky.social · Aug 12

The game featured some of the most talented players of the era. Hall of Famers Fabri Salcedo, a Spanish striker & Gene Olaff Brooklyn's keeper. The most decorated player on the pitch was Billy Gonsalves. The 36 year old won his 6th cup in his 11th trip to the final 2/2 👨‍🦳

1 4

Brian D. Bunk @brianbunk.bsky.social · Aug 12

Brooklyn Hispano met Morgan Strasser Sweepers (Pittsburgh, PA) in the National Challenge Cup final. Polo grounds New York City, May 14, 1944. Hispano won 4-0. The man in uniform is British naval officer Sir Reginald Aylmer Ranfurly Plunkett-Ernie-Erle-Drax 1/2

Two soccer players in uniform stand on either side of a trophy called the Dewar Cup. One player's shirt reads Strasser Sweepers across the chest. A British flag hangs on the fence between the stands and the field. Standing behind the trophy in the stands is a man in a naval uniform with a white cap. Other members of the crowd can be seen in the background

3 3 10

Brian D. Bunk @brianbunk.bsky.social · Aug 9

The team was known for having devoted fans and a band that played at matches. The club’s greatest success was the 1936-37 season when they were promoted to the first division. Unfortunately, they were immediately relegated. The club seems to have disbanded after 1939 2/2 🎺

Brian D. Bunk @brianbunk.bsky.social · Aug 9

The Sons of Malta or Melita (the name of the island in classical Latin), 1930. They played in San Francisco's second division alongside teams like Assyrians and Vikings. Like many ethnic clubs they were not too strict and by 1934 the squad included 5 Scots 1/2

A sepia toned photo of a soccer team on a field in front of a goal. They wear light and dark striped shirts with white shorts. A group of men holding instruments and a flag stand alongside them on the left

1 2 6

Brian D. Bunk @brianbunk.bsky.social · Aug 8

Hand colored postcard from 1920 featuring P. (or possibly R.) L. Carson of the Disston Boys Club, Philadelphia. 🪚

A young man standing on grass with a leather soccer ball at his feet. Trees and sidewalks can be seen in the background. The postcard has been hand colored. The grass and trees are a greenish-yellow. His shirt and socks are a burgundy red. He is wearing white shorts. At the center of the shirt is a keystone shape with the the letter D on top of the letters B and C

Brian D. Bunk @brianbunk.bsky.social · Aug 7

The Smith College image was made into a potential cover for my book "From Football to Soccer. The Early History of the Beautiful Game in the United States." Ultimately we went with a cropped version of one of my favorite soccer images 2/2

www.press.uillinois.edu/books/?id=p0...

Two soccer players challenge for the ball in the lower middle of the picture. Other players can be seen behind them. Two thirds of the photo is the sky. Apartment building can be seen in the distance and a smokestack.

1 1

Brian D. Bunk @brianbunk.bsky.social · Aug 7

Smith College students at soccer practice in Northampton, Massachusetts, 1927. 👩‍🎓 1/2

Students playing soccer at Smith College. One player has jumped up towards a ball and perhaps just headed it away. The large leather ball is in the upper half of the photo. She wears black bloomers with a white sweater. Two other players, one wearing a black jumper run alongside her. Houses can be seen in the background.

1 2 3

Brian D. Bunk @brianbunk.bsky.social · Aug 6

The Swedes came out raiding and scored after just thirteen minutes. The Carburetors barreled back to lead 2-1 the half. Great goalkeeping kept it close until the Carburetors added an insurance goal near the end to take home the cup with a 3-1 victory. 🚘 2/2

1 4

Brian D. Bunk @brianbunk.bsky.social · Aug 6

The 1930 Michigan State soccer Championship final pitted Holley Carburetor vs. Swedish American Athletic Association (aka the Vikings). The game took place on June 29 at Packard Park in Detroit. 1/2

A black and white photograph of a soccer game in progress. Several players can be seen on the field. Factories with smokestacks appear in the background. Fans line the sides of the field. Written across the top is State Final Holly C 1930

1 3 8

Reposted by Brian D. Bunk

Andy Mitchell @andymitchellmedia.bsky.social · Aug 6

Today is the 150th birthday of Hibernian Football Club, founded in Edinburgh on 6 August 1875. To mark the occasion I've been on the trail of Pat Cavanagh, one of the founders. Here's a thread about a man who literally left his mark on the city's streets.

1 10 20

Brian D. Bunk @brianbunk.bsky.social · Aug 5

They won six games by more than 10 goals including a 12-0 win over North Ends and an 18-0 drubbing of St. Elizabeth’s of East St. Louis. Center forward Nolan bagged 34 & Frank Healey 27. By the fall of 1922 the team had scooped up new sponsor and were known as the De Luxe Ice Cream eleven. 🍨 2/2

1 3