Team America's Win Over Haiti

On This Day in 1983, the Americans Won Their Only Full International During Its New Team Experiment

The United States national soccer program took an unprecedented turn in 1983 with an ambitious experiment called Team America. In a collaborative effort between the North American Soccer League, the United States Soccer Federation, the ASL, and the MISL, Team America was established as a full-fledged NASL franchise based in Washington, DC. The vision was revolutionary: the national team would compete as a club team, allowing American players to train and play together year-round rather than assembling just days before critical international matches.

"The United States can and will become a force in world soccer," declared NASL president Howard Samuels at the team's January launch, embracing the patriotic fervor that had swept the nation following Ronald Reagan's election and the "miracle on ice" Olympic hockey victory in 1980. The concept seemed logical - American players would finally have adequate training time together, developing cohesion that had been impossible when scattered across various professional clubs.

Alkis Panagoulias, a Greek-American who had previously led the New York Greek-Americans to three consecutive Challenge Cup championships, was named the national team's first full-time coach. "It's a coach's dream," Panagoulias initially declared, embracing the opportunity to build a consistent American squad.

However, the dream quickly encountered reality. Many of the nation's top players, including Ricky Davis, Jim McAllister, Winston DuBose, Dave Brcic, and Julie Veee, declined to join Team America, preferring to remain with their established NASL clubs. Davis, particularly, faced harsh criticism for his decision. "He was booed in Fort Lauderdale, where he played an exhibition game with the Cosmos against the Strikers. The fans called him, of all people, a 'traitor,'" reported Soccer America.

With the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics approaching and hopes of hosting the 1986 World Cup still alive, the national team nevertheless needed international competition. Panagoulias organized a four-game tour of Haiti and Colombia in April 1983, which became the only true international competition for the American national team that year. However, assembling the roster proved frustratingly familiar.

"They told me Peterson and Stock didn't want to come because they wanted to play in games against some colleges," Panagoulias told The New York Times, exasperated by Seattle's refusal to release players. "This is absolutely ridiculous. We're talking about the national team here. What the heck is going on in this country?"

Only three months into his tenure, Panagoulias confided in friends his disillusionment with the lack of cooperation and doubts about fielding the strongest possible U.S. national team. Nevertheless, he cobbled together a roster that included Arnie Mausser, Perry van der Beck, Boris Bandov, Jeff Durgan, and Hernan Chico Borja, among others.

The tour began promisingly when Team America, playing as the United States National Team, defeated the Port-au-Prince Selection 1-0 on April 6. Borja scored the game's only goal in the 79th minute, which Perry Van Der Beck assisted. Two days later, the highlight of the tour came: a convincing 2-0 victory over the Haitian National Team on April 8.

The Americans displayed impressive efficiency in Port-au-Prince. Team captain Durgan opened the scoring just 2:10 into the match, heading in a corner kick from Pedro DeBrito. Borja, continuing his strong form, doubled the lead in the 59th minute, again converting from a DeBrito setup, this time off a free kick. The victory brought the tour record to 2-0 before the team departed for Colombia.

Back in Washington, optimism briefly surged when Team America won its NASL debut on April 23, defeating the Seattle Sounders 1-0 in a shootout. Their first home match delivered similar excitement - a 1-0 victory over the Tulsa Roughnecks with Alan Green scoring before 15,000 rain-soaked fans chanting "U.S.A.! U.S.A.!"

"That's the first time since I have been playing in this country that I have heard that," remarked Jeff Durgan, suggesting the experiment might succeed after all.

However, the early promise faded quickly. Without many top American players, Panagoulias was forced to fill nearly half his roster with naturalized citizens, including Englishmen Paul Hammond Alan Merrick, and Green. This contradicted the fundamental purpose of Team America - to develop native American talent. Furthermore, the IOC's decision to maintain the ban on professional players in the Olympics and FIFA's preliminary recommendation to award the 1986 World Cup to Mexico rather than the United States further undermined the team's raison d'être.

The season deteriorated into disappointment. Team America stumbled to a 10-20 record, finishing last in the Eastern Division. One bright spot came on July 4th weekend when over 50,000 fans attended their match against Fort Lauderdale - though most were there primarily for the Beach Boys concert that followed. Just days earlier, a mere 8,200 had watched them host Tampa Bay.

By the end of the season, Panagoulias was questioning the entire endeavor: "Where are we going? What the hell are we doing? Why do these people keep paying me?" The experiment collapsed immediately after the 1983 season, with Team America disbanding without playing its planned international exhibition schedule.

The ambitious attempt to create a cohesive American soccer unit through full-time competition had failed, highlighting the continuing challenges facing U.S. soccer development. The team had managed just one official international match - the victory over Haiti - during its brief existence. Despite drawing respectable crowds averaging over 11,000 per game in Washington, the experiment had proven an embarrassing failure, one of several factors contributing to the NASL's continued decline. The league's membership fell to just nine teams in 1984, fewer than at any point since 1973, foreshadowing its eventual collapse.

Team America's brief history is a fascinating chapter in American soccer development. It was an innovative concept undermined by competing interests, insufficient cooperation, and a soccer infrastructure not yet ready to support a genuinely competitive national program.

The General's First Strike

On This Day in 2012, Bradley Scored his First Serie A Goal in a Chievo Verona Victory

For Michael Bradley, a modest Sunday afternoon in Verona was a landmark moment for him and American soccer. Standing at the edge of Catania's penalty area at the Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi, the midfielder from New Jersey was about to etch his name into Serie A history.

The path to this historic moment had begun with uncertainty. Bradley needed a fresh start after an unfulfilling loan spell at Aston Villa, where he made just three Premier League appearances. On August 31, 2011, he joined Chievo Verona, becoming the only American playing in Italy's top flight at the time. "After the few months in England, where just in terms of games played, it wasn't what I hoped for," Bradley reflected, "it was important to find a place where I was going to be given a real chance and a real opportunity to play regularly."

What made Bradley's Italian adventure particularly poignant was its timing. Just weeks before his move, his father, Bob, had been dismissed as U.S. National Team coach and was replaced by Jürgen Klinsmann. As Michael settled into life in Verona, he navigated both professional and personal transitions simultaneously.

Yet true to his reputation for resilience, Bradley quickly found his footing at Chievo. The modest club—hailing from a suburb of just 4,500 residents and sharing a stadium with the more popular Hellas Verona—proved to be the perfect environment. "From the first day I got here, everything about this experience has been really good," Bradley said. "The people at the club, the players, the coaches—everybody has been incredibly welcoming, and when you come to a new place, when you come to a new club, that makes a big difference."

The midfielder integrated into the team, impressing manager Domenico Di Carlo with his work rate, technique and tactical intelligence. After just a quarter of a year at the club, he mastered Italian within months, conducting interviews and speaking to local students in the language. Soon, the locals affectionately nicknamed him "Il Generale" and "Captain America," a testament to his commanding presence on the field.

By April 2012, Bradley had become integral to Chievo's system, starting regularly and helping the "Flying Donkeys" (a nickname adopted from a once-derogatory chant by rival fans) compete against Italy's giants. On April 7, with Chievo fighting to ensure Serie A survival, Bradley's moment arrived against Catania.

Just six minutes into the match, Alberto Paloschi delivered a cross into the penalty area. Bradley timed his run perfectly, meeting the ball with conviction. His right-footed strike bounced off the post and into the net, giving Chievo an early lead. The goal—the first by an American in Serie A since Alexi Lalas for Padova in the mid-1990s—set the tone for a crucial 3-2 victory.

After Bradley's opener, Chievo captain Sergio Pellissier converted a penalty following a red card to Catania's Nicola Spolli. Though Catania pulled one back through an unfortunate Marco Andreolli own goal, Paloschi restored the two-goal advantage after halftime. Sergio Almiron's late goal for the visitors created a tense finish, but Chievo held on for three vital points.

The victory lifted the Flying Donkeys 11 points clear of the relegation zone with seven games remaining, essentially securing their top-flight status for another season. For Bradley, the goal represented more: validation of his bold decision to test himself in Calcio's tactical battleground.

"When you look at players in my position—defensive midfield—in this country, they value this kind of player," Bradley explained about his move to Italy. "Growing up, Demetrio Albertini was my favorite player. So when you watch him, you see how important he was for Milan at the time."

The midfielder's season at Chievo proved transformative. He finished the campaign, appearing in 35 matches and logged over 3,000 minutes of playing time. He ranked second on the team in tackles per game and first in passes attempted (with a 79 percent completion rate). His growth as a regista—a deep-lying playmaker who initiates moves from just in front of the back line—benefited both club and country.

Bradley's performances did not go unnoticed. By summer 2012, bigger clubs were circling, and on July 16, he completed a €3.75 million transfer to AS Roma, signing a four-year contract with one of Italy's most storied teams. The Chievo chapter had lasted just one season, but its impact on Bradley's career was immeasurable.

Looking back, Bradley's time in Verona was memorable not because of his goals or performances but because he embraced the experience altogether—learning the language, understanding the tactical nuances, and respecting the culture of Italian football. As Chievo's press officer, Tommaso Franco, aptly described him: "He's a painting with many different colors. There's red, there's blue, there's yellow. He's bravissimo."

For a player who would go on to become one of America's most accomplished footballers, that quiet afternoon in Verona when the ball struck the post and nestled into the net represented more than just a milestone—it was validation of the belief that Americans could not just survive but thrive in the tactical cauldron of Serie A. In one sublime moment, Michael Bradley had turned an opportunity into a triumph that would help define his career.

Two Different Stories For Milan

Pulisic Shines While Musah Struggles in Milan's Draw with Fiorentina

AC Milan's 2-2 draw against Fiorentina on Saturday highlighted the contrasting fortunes of the two American players. While Christian Pulisic continued his impressive season by providing his 10th assist, Yunus Musah endured a night to forget.

Musah's difficult evening began just seven minutes into the match when his misjudgment contributed to an own goal by teammate Malick Thiaw. Three minutes later, his defensive lapse allowed Moise Kean to volley in Fiorentina's second goal. Manager Sergio Conceição made the difficult decision to substitute Musah after only 24 minutes - the third time he's been pulled before halftime this season.

Visibly distraught, Musah headed straight to the locker room amidst boos from the crowd. Teammates Alessandro Florenzi and Strahinja Pavlovic were sent to console him, and he later returned to the bench where Conceição embraced him.

In stark contrast, Pulisic demonstrated why Milan president Paolo Scaroni recently named him one of two players the club wants "with us for a long time." His intelligent through ball to Tammy Abraham set up Milan's first goal, helping spark the comeback. Pulisic's consistent performances have been a bright spot during Milan's inconsistent season, with his creativity and leadership proving invaluable to the Rossoneri.

Despite sharing points with Fiorentina, Milan remains ninth in the Serie A table, four points behind their eighth-placed opponents.

Luna's Double Against LA

A Star Performance in Real Salt Lake's Victory

Diego Luna delivered a standout performance for Real Salt Lake, scoring both goals in their 2-0 victory over defending MLS champions LA Galaxy. The talented 21-year-old midfielder's clinical finishing proved decisive as the Galaxy's disastrous start to the 2025 season continued.

Luna opened the scoring in the 21st minute with a well-taken strike, benefiting from the setup work of Alexandros Katranis and Diogo Gonçalves. Five minutes later, Luna showcased his brilliance by doubling the lead with an impressive solo effort. This brace marked his third goal of the 2025 campaign and his 16th in 73 appearances for Real Salt Lake.

Real Salt Lake's goalkeeper Rafael Cabral faced minimal pressure, making just one save in stoppage time to preserve the clean sheet. While Real Salt Lake celebrates its third win of the season, the Galaxy's crisis deepens as it remains winless (0-5-2) in what has become the worst start by a defending champion in MLS history.

Wynalda Scores the First MLS Goal

On This Day in 1996, a Shot That Started It All: the Striker and the Goal That Launched American Soccer's New Era

The most significant moments in sports come when they're needed most. "I wouldn't have dared to write a script that had that kind of a corny ending," MLS Chairman Alan Rothenberg would later reflect. As Major League Soccer's inaugural match between the San Jose Clash and D.C. United ticked into its final minutes at Spartan Stadium, the sellout crowd of 31,683 and league officials alike faced the one outcome no one wanted to see: a scoreless draw. After all, this was Major League Soccer's debut – the new dawn of professional soccer in America, a league the country had been without since the North American Soccer League folded in 1984.

The path to this historic moment began with a promise. One of the stipulations for the United States being granted the 1994 World Cup was that the US Soccer Federation establish a new Division One league. When Major League Soccer presented its proposal in December 1993, it outlined a single-entity structure that would oversee all teams and focus on domestic player development. The plan won the backing of USSF president Rothenberg, securing 18 votes compared to the American Professional Soccer League's five and the innovative but radical League 1 America's zero.

The early days were humble. Deputy commissioner Ivan Gazidis described arriving at World Cup offices only to find "there was no banner that said Major League Soccer; nobody knew what that was. I had a desk in a corridor of the main thoroughfare – I didn't have a telephone or a computer." Despite the World Cup's success, American sports fans had seen soccer booms before. The NASL had exploded in the mid-70s only to collapse under the weight of rapid expansion and unsustainable spending on aging foreign stars. MLS faced the challenge of convincing fans this league was built to last.

To ensure sustainability, MLS implemented strict cost containment through a salary cap reported between $1.1m and $1.3m. George Steinbrenner, principal owner of the New York Yankees, was said to have described the model as "communism one minute and brilliant the next." The league also emphasized bringing home American talent playing abroad while attracting international stars like Carlos Valderrama, Jorge Campos, Roberto Donadoni and Hugo Sanchez.

"The move to Major League Soccer was so important to so many people," Eric Wynalda, who played for VfL Bochum in Germany then, said. "It would have been wrong if I didn't come home." Wynalda joined other American internationals, including Alexi Lalas, Jeff Agoos, John Harkes and Tab Ramos, in returning to establish the foundation of the new league. By February 1996, most allocated players were in place, and teams had about two months to prepare for the season's launch.

MLS introduced several innovations to make the game more entertaining: a countdown clock instead of the traditional format, shootouts to decide drawn matches, and expanded substitution rules. There would also be a playoff system familiar to American sports fans. "This is poised to become the fifth major sports league in the United States," San Jose Clash coach Calloway declared before the inaugural match. "We can honestly call it major league. You don't have Eric Wynalda playing in a minor league. You don't have Donadoni playing in a minor league or Valderrama."

As the sun set on April 6, 1996, the atmosphere at Spartan Stadium crackled with anticipation. "The atmosphere was fantastic," Wynalda, who won 106 caps for the United States, recalled. "I had experience of playing in a World Cup and had already seen an environment like that. But it had a big effect on some of my teammates, who were perhaps experiencing an atmosphere like that for the first time."

With the game in its final embers and the clock showing just three minutes remaining, the ball ping-ponged around in the Clash's half before arriving at the feet of Nigerian midfielder Ben Iroha on the left. Iroha cut inside, ghosting into the opposition's half, easily eluding a late tackle attempt by D.C. United's Thor Lee. He played the ball to Wynalda, whose first touch took him towards the edge of the box as defender Jeff Agoos – his U.S. teammate – backpedaled. The decibel level rose slightly.

Wynalda had faced United goalkeeper Jeff Causey in a similar position during a pre-season friendly weeks earlier, missing the chance at the near post. "All of that went through my head when I took the shot," Wynalda said. "I remembered the play, I remembered the way he read it, and I remembered the way he addressed the position."

On the sideline, Clash general manager Peter Bridgewater was already making his way down to the field in anticipation of a penalty shootout. MLS deputy commissioner Gazidis, also expecting a shootout to end what he described as a "total disaster" of a game, was returning from the bathroom. Sunil Gulati, who had overseen the league's development from the start, watched anxiously from the stands.

Remembering his previous encounter with Causey, Wynalda juked past Agoos and unleashed a curling shot with the inside of his foot. "The truth is, I just tried to hit it hard with the inside of my foot and inside the far post," Wynalda said. "I missed it to a certain extent. I caught it a little underneath because the grass was a bit longer than most fields we played on – but it ended up looking great."

The ball soared into the top corner of the net, causing the crowd to erupt. Wynalda rushed to the sideline and slid to his knees – a defining moment for a league under the microscope. The Clash fans, clutching the Eric Wynalda posters they'd been given upon entering the stadium, roared their approval.

"My comment at the time was: 'Thank God for Eric Wynalda,'" Gulati, later the USSF president, recalled. "I don't think anyone in the world would have believed if we had told them it was a 0-0 draw, that it was an exciting game and that it was a great weekend. What they would have written was that it was 0-0 on July 17, 1994 [in the World Cup final between Brazil and Italy] and 0-0 again today, and nothing has changed."

The game finished 1-0 minutes later, with Calloway "dancing up and down like a man possessed" when the final whistle sounded. "Well, you know, Waldo [Wynalda] is Waldo, isn't he?" Calloway said afterward. "He gets sort of frustrated on a number of occasions. He was a little disturbed at halftime, which is not unusual that he wasn't getting enough of the ball. I told him he had to be patient and that things would come. He's too good a player to hold down for 90 minutes. They started pushing forward a little bit, he got that couple of yards that he needs and what a goal. He bent it in past the keeper's left hand. Eric Wynalda is Eric Wynalda. He's won so many games like that for the teams he's played for."

The impact of that goal extended far beyond the three points it secured for San Jose. D.C. United would struggle initially, losing their first four matches, but eventually found their footing to win the inaugural MLS Cup, beginning a dynasty that would reach every MLS Cup final until 2000. As for the Clash, they qualified for the playoffs despite a sub-.500 record but fell to the LA Galaxy in the first round.

"I don't think we could have written a script with a better ending," Rothenberg said. "To end up with a dramatic goal by the leading goal-scorer in American soccer history before a home crowd – what else could you ask for?"

MLS's average attendance over its inaugural season exceeded expectations at 17,406. The league would face challenges in the years ahead. Still, that single moment—Wynalda's strike—provided the perfect launching point for what would become a sustainable, growing force in American sports.

"Over the years, so many people have come up to me and had their say about where they were when it happened; I'd be lying if I didn't say it was a game-changer in my career," Wynalda reflected years later. "So many people were positively affected by that goal, and it's a moment in time that you just always associate with Major League Soccer, so I'm extremely proud of that. It's a great little piece of history."

Tillman Scores in First Start

The Midfielder Opened the Scoring in PSV's Commanding Win over Groningen

Malik Tillman made an impressive return to PSV Eindhoven's starting lineup, scoring a crucial goal in their 3-1 victory over FC Groningen. The 22-year-old American midfielder opened the scoring just 11 minutes into the match with a beautiful curling effort from inside the box, demonstrating that he hasn't lost his touch despite his lengthy absence.

This marked Tillman's eighth goal of the season and made all the more remarkable as it came in just his second appearance after battling an injury that had sidelined him since January. After playing 45 minutes as a substitute in last weekend's 2-0 loss to Ajax, Tillman earned his first start back and immediately made his presence felt.

PSV coach Peter Bosz particularly praised Tillman's performance, stating: "When you see him play, you remember what you missed for three months. I enjoyed him. He's a great player." Bosz acknowledged that Tillman's absence, along with other injured players, had significantly impacted the team's performances during that period.

The win was vital for PSV's title aspirations as they remain in second place with 61 points, six points behind league leaders Ajax with just six matches remaining in the Eredivisie season. Following this encouraging performance, PSV will face Almere City next weekend as they continue their push to close the gap.

Haji's Offside Goal

 The Striker Scored a Controversial Goal in Coventry's Close Battle with Burnley

Haji Wright found himself at the center of controversy when he gave Coventry City an early lead in their Championship clash against Burnley. Just five minutes into the match, Wright demonstrated his predatory instincts by reacting quickly in a chaotic goal-mouth situation.

The sequence began when Milan van Ewijk raced onto a loose ball on the right flank before finding Jack Rudoni in the box. Rudoni's shot was tipped onto the post by Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford, with Ephron Mason-Clark following up. When Mason-Clark's subsequent effort was blocked, Wright showed excellent awareness to swivel and smash home from close range.

However, replays clearly showed that the American striker was in an offside position when he turned the ball over the line. Despite Burnley's protests, the goal controversially stood, giving Coventry an early advantage in this crucial promotion battle.

Wright, who had previously impressed with a hat-trick in Coventry's last home match against Sunderland, continued to threaten and nearly doubled his tally later in the first half when he failed to connect with Jay Dasilva's excellent cross with the goal at his mercy.

Despite Wright's opener, Burnley ultimately turned the match around through Jaidon Anthony's brace, winning 2-1 to move to the top of the Championship table while pushing Coventry out of the playoff positions.

Sargent Scores Against Plymouth

Bright Spot in Norwich City's Disappointing Defeat

Josh Sargent gave Norwich City a glimmer of hope with his clinical finish early in the second half against Plymouth Argyle. However, it wasn't enough to prevent a 2-1 defeat against the Championship's bottom-placed side.

The American striker demonstrated his predatory instincts just 46 seconds after the restart, expertly controlling Kellen Fisher's cross before firing past Plymouth goalkeeper Michael Hazard. The goal—Sargent's 14th in the league this season—briefly energized the Canaries as they attempted to mount a comeback.

Earlier in the match, Sargent had squandered a golden opportunity in the 12th minute when he stretched to meet Ante Crnac's square pass but could only manage a tame connection. That missed chance proved costly as Ryan Hardie subsequently scored twice for Plymouth to build a 2-0 lead.

Despite Norwich's offensive push following Sargent's goal, with both Gabriel Sainz and Anis Ben Slimane attempting long-range efforts, they couldn't find an equalizer against the resilient Pilgrims.

Norwich manager Johannes Hoff Thorup highlighted the team's offensive capabilities in his post-match comments, noting, "We sit and talk about another poor result, and a mid-table position, yet we still have the top goal scorer of the league and Sarge is two or three behind on that list." However, the defeat effectively ended Norwich's faint play-off hopes, leaving them firmly in mid-table with defensive issues still to resolve.

Richards Out This Past Week

Defender Sidelined for Second Consecutive Match in Palace Win Over Brighton

Chris Richards missed his second straight match due to a calf injury, which was confirmed by Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner ahead of Saturday's fixture against Brighton. The U.S. international, a cornerstone of Palace's defense with 14 consecutive starts across all competitions before his injury, was initially expected to return this weekend after sitting out Wednesday's 1-1 draw with Southampton.

"Unfortunately, he was very close to training with us today," Glasner explained at Friday's press conference. "If it had been the last season's game, I think he would have played and would have started. But we can't take the risk when you see our upcoming schedule and the amount of games."

The injury apparently developed after Richards played the full 90 minutes in Palace's impressive 3-0 FA Cup quarterfinal victory over Fulham last weekend. Despite completing that match, the Alabama native experienced discomfort in his calf afterward, which intensified as the week progressed.

In Richards' absence, Palace still managed to secure a dramatic 2-1 victory against rivals Brighton in a heated affair that featured three red cards. Jean-Philippe Mateta opened the scoring early before Daniel Munoz netted the winner in a match showcasing the clubs' fierce rivalry.

Glasner will hope to have Richards back for next weekend's challenging fixture against Manchester City. The Eagles are also preparing for their FA Cup semifinal against Aston Villa at Wembley on April 26.

USFA is Founded

On This Day in 1913, United States Football Association Formed

April 5, 1913, was a watershed moment for American soccer. In a meeting room at the prestigious Astor Hotel in New York City, representatives from various soccer organizations gathered with a singular purpose: to finally establish a unified national governing body for the sport. The tension in the room was palpable—years of jurisdictional rivalries and competing visions for American soccer had created a fractured landscape that desperately needed cohesion.

G. Randalf Manning, a physician with impressive soccer credentials, stood before the assembled delegates. Born in England and educated in Germany, Manning helped establish the German Football Association in 1900 before emigrating to New York five years later. As he called the historic meeting to order, his vision for American soccer was about to become reality.

The path to this moment had been turbulent. For years, two rival organizations—the American Football Association (AFA) and the newer American Amateur Football Association (AAFA)—had struggled for legitimacy. Both sought FIFA recognition in 1912, but the international body refused to choose sides, instead instructing them to resolve their differences domestically.

The brewing conflict reflected deeper tensions within American soccer. Established decades earlier, the AFA had effectively become a U.S. branch of the British Football Association. Despite its longevity, its influence remained limited to the Northeast, and it struggled to adapt to the changing soccer landscape. The AAFA, meanwhile, represented a growing coalition of state associations seeking more inclusive governance of the sport.

Thomas W. Cahill, who had served as secretary to the AAFA and represented them at FIFA's 1912 Stockholm Congress, was mainly instrumental in these efforts. Despite FIFA's rejection, Cahill had established valuable personal relationships with international delegates during his European tour following the congress.

Attempts to merge the organizations had initially failed in October 1912 when the AFA narrowly voted against unification. However, by early 1913, several key organizations had defected from the AFA to the AAFA, decisively tilting the balance of power. With this strengthened position, the AAFA convened the April meeting at the Astor Hotel.

The outcome was decisive: the United States of America Football Association (USFA) was established, with Manning elected its first president and Cahill its first general secretary. The founding delegates recognized the urgent need for centralized governance. The American soccer landscape was chaotic, with disparate state associations using inconsistent methods and rules, new leagues emerging rapidly, and waves of European immigrants bringing diverse soccer traditions to American soil.

At its inception, the USFA encompassed seven state associations. The new organization immediately implemented standardized game rules, established protocols for communication and governance, and created a system for player transfers. Later that year, the AFA, at the prodding of its president, Andrew M. Brown, finally relented and joined the USFA.

The organization's rapid progress continued when, in August 1913, FIFA granted the USFA provisional recognition as America's official soccer governing body. The following year, at the June 1914 FIFA Congress in Oslo, Norway, the USFA was unanimously accepted as a permanent member, becoming one of FIFA's earliest member organizations and the first from North and Central America.

Manning's acceptance speech reflected the optimism of the moment. He highlighted soccer's rapid growth across the United States and announced ambitious plans to send an American team to the 1916 Olympics in Berlin. He invited international teams to visit America, confidently predicting they would "meet worthy opponents."

The USFA resolved to work through state associations rather than directly with leagues or teams. It established national protocols for interstate competition and player transfers, and began planning a national championship. In the fall of 1913, the National Challenge Cup (now the U.S. Open Cup) was established, open to both professional and amateur clubs. The Dewar Challenge Trophy, previously donated for the AAFA championship, would henceforth be awarded to the winner of this new national competition.

The organization that began that spring day in Manhattan would evolve through several name changes—from the United States of America Football Association to the United States Soccer Football Association, then the United States Soccer Federation, and finally to U.S. Soccer—but its essential mission remained consistent. From its early offices in the Empire State Building to its current headquarters in Chicago, the legacy of that April meeting continues to shape American soccer to this day.