Brian D. Bunk
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brianbunk.bsky.social
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
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brianbunk.bsky.social
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
Reposted by Brian D. Bunk
willjeanes.bsky.social
Bert Patenaude, who scored the first World Cup hat-trick, was born on this day in 1909 in Massachusetts, USA.

Patenaude scored the hat-trick vs Paraguay in the groups of the 1930 tournament and helped USA reach the semi-finals — their best performance at a men's World Cup.
November 4, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Reposted by Brian D. Bunk
protagonistsoccer.bsky.social
🧟‍♂️ Just a couple days of Spooky Month are left and we’re re-animating The Living Dead: Bethlehem Steel FC by @philtalksfooty.bsky.social
from 2018 www.protagonistsoccer.com/kickingback/...
The Living Dead: Bethlehem Steel FC — Protagonist Soccer
The concept of zombies has fascinated humans for centuries. The idea that some sinister magical, scientific, or paranormal force could reanimate a previously deceased human is truly chilling, especial...
www.protagonistsoccer.com
October 30, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Reposted by Brian D. Bunk
protagonistsoccer.bsky.social
🗣️ 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...
October 7, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Reposted by Brian D. Bunk
collinstony.bsky.social
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
October 7, 2025 at 7:36 AM
Reposted by Brian D. Bunk
dralexanderjackson.bsky.social
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
September 28, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Reposted by Brian D. Bunk
footycon.bsky.social
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 ⬇️
September 25, 2025 at 11:05 AM
Reposted by Brian D. Bunk
soccertownmedia.bsky.social
open.spotify.com/episode/25u4...
Soccertowns: A Starting XI of US Soccer
open.spotify.com
September 24, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Reposted by Brian D. Bunk
ussoccerhistory.org
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...
September 15, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Reposted by Brian D. Bunk
ussoccerhistory.org
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.
September 4, 2025 at 12:40 PM
Reposted by Brian D. Bunk
soccertownmedia.bsky.social
🚨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
August 27, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Reposted by Brian D. Bunk
mplsmusichistory.bsky.social
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.
August 25, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Reposted by Brian D. Bunk
mplsmusichistory.bsky.social
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.
August 24, 2025 at 11:27 PM
Reposted by Brian D. Bunk
scoblevision.bsky.social
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
August 20, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Reposted by Brian D. Bunk
frankmsounders.bsky.social
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
August 16, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Reposted by Brian D. Bunk
dancreel.com
@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/
August 13, 2025 at 1:31 PM
brianbunk.bsky.social
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
August 12, 2025 at 7:43 PM
brianbunk.bsky.social
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
August 9, 2025 at 1:46 PM
brianbunk.bsky.social
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
August 8, 2025 at 7:23 PM
brianbunk.bsky.social
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.
August 7, 2025 at 7:56 PM
brianbunk.bsky.social
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
August 6, 2025 at 7:49 PM
Reposted by Brian D. Bunk
andymitchellmedia.bsky.social
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.
August 6, 2025 at 8:06 AM
brianbunk.bsky.social
Vegaco was a butter substitute made by Crown Margarine Company of St. Louis. The soccer team formed c. 1920 and played in the Olympian or Independent League. They won the title in 1921-22 scoring a heart-stopping 153 goals in 22 games. 1/2
A group of soccer players stand on a dirt field in front of a wooden goal. Most of the players are wearing shirts with the word Vegeco across their chest. Text written on the image reads Vegaco's Independent Champions of the Southwest. St. Louis, MO 1921-1922. Broke independent record, scoring 153 goals in 22 games. 18 were won 4 were lost
August 5, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Reposted by Brian D. Bunk
soccertownmedia.bsky.social
Okay #soccersky we’ve got a new story dropping tomorrow about the #USMNT in the very first World Cup. It’s got steamships, chloroform, and the King of Romania…and much more.

In the meantime, check out the first two episodes of:
anamericangame.buzzsprout.com
AN AMERICAN GAME
Some say that soccer is an American game. Okay, Tom McCabe and Kirk Rudell say that, and it might sound weird if you’re an American soccer fan, and you’ve spent your whole life having to prove you kno...
anamericangame.buzzsprout.com
August 5, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Reposted by Brian D. Bunk
ussoccerhistory.org
Read more about the SASH Historical American Soccer Footage Campaign and please offer your support here 👇

www.gofundme.com/f/support-th...
Donate to Support the SASH Historical American Soccer Footage Campaign, organized by Society for American Soccer History
With the 2026 World Cup fast approaching, more eyes will be l… Society for American Soccer History needs your support for Support the SASH Historical American Soccer Footage Campaign
www.gofundme.com
August 4, 2025 at 10:56 PM
brianbunk.bsky.social
Black Diamond soccer club of Washington. Surprise winners of the Northwestern Football League title in 1911-12. Great smile from Bob Proctor (middle row, second from right). Nicknamed the Babies because it was their first season in the competition 👶
Studio portrait of the Black Diamond soccer team wearing white shirts with a B and D on either side of a black diamond in the center. A trophy, soccer ball and board with medals sit on the floor in front. Men in suits and a boy stand on the sides of the players
August 4, 2025 at 7:21 PM