PRESENTATION
The idea of writing this book originated from the
need to leave to future soccer generations a
chronicle of the memorable event.
The Uruguayan authorities as well as FIFA, the
World’s soccer organization, were making
preparations to commemorate in Montevideo the 75th
Anniversary of the First World Cup.
Although it is true that the Uruguayans built a
colossal stadium named “Centenario” to host the
First FIFA World Cup, it is also true that the
initial games were played both in the field of Club
Nacional de Football as well as in the now
disappeared Pocitos soccer field.
It was at the Parque Central where the United States
team inaugurated the First World Cup ever, playing
against Belgium, the powerful European team was
Olympic Champion in 1920 but succumbed to the
Americans by a conclusive score of 3-0. A few days
later in the same field, the Americans defeated the
Paraguayan team, which were at that moment the South
American vice-champion.
To commemorate this historical event, the Uruguayan
soccer authorities made preparations for a
celebration at the Parque Central. The directors of
Club Nacional de Football hosted the main
celebrations in their renewed field, where they
received the authorities and the FIFA board members
as special guests.
The board presidents of FIFA and the South American
Confederation attended the celebration in
Montevideo, where the Club Nacional de Football
re-inaugurated a marble plaque that reads: The First
World Cup Match in History was played here, at the
Parque Central. We would like to pledge to this rich
History with our book.
Endorsement letter received from the US National
Soccer Hall of Fame
February 14, 2006
It was with great excitement that the National
Soccer Hall of Fame received Mr. Almeida's
manuscript detailing the U.S. National Team's
experiences at the first FIFA World Cup held in
1930. While the Hall of Fame maintains an extensive
collection of memorabilia from U.S. participation in
the World Cup, Mr. Almeida's research has added
another dimension to accounts of that seminal
event. It further informs soccer fans around the
world of the exploits of the highly successful
American team and its goal-scoring heroes Patenaude,
Gonsalves, McGhee and Brown, who took the field for
the United States in that first world cup.
This book clearly shows Mr. Almeida's extensive and
in-depth research into the U.S. team and the matches
played in Uruguay. He has used unrivaled access to
important historical material in Montevideo,
Uruguay, the primary host city of the 1930 World Cup
that the National Soccer Hall of Fame had never
before seen, to build the story of the American
team. He has skillfully blended contemporary
reports with his own analyses to provide compelling
reading for both the average fan and the serious
soccer historian. While the author's conclusions do
not always reflect those of the museum, we
vigorously applaud his dedicated research.
The 1930 World Cup was an historic event, which
placed soccer in the forefront of all sports, as a
global event which transcends borders. It remains
so to this day. At the time it went virtually
unnoticed in America despite the success of the
United States team. Mr. Almeida's chronicle of the
American team's march to the semi-finals will go a
long way towards filling that gap in history for the
growing number of American soccer fans.
We at the National Soccer Hall of Fame are grateful
to the author for this excellent book which will be
a wonderful supplement to the Hall's extensive
collection of memorabilia from the 1930 World Cup.
Sincerely,
William H. Lunn III, President
National Soccer Hall of Fame
Oneonta, New York
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FOREWORD
The first World Cup, played in Uruguay in 1930, was an event of
historical importance to the soccer world. The staging of such
a tournament illustrated the global nature of the game, as has
been demonstrated over and over again during the 75 years since
its' inception.
The decision to host such an event was a bold one, which
resulted in Uruguay carving an irrevocable place in the annals
of soccer history. The decision by the United States to send a
team to participate was equally bold given that the U.S. Soccer
Federation had at that time only been in existence for 17 years,
and was on unsound financial footing. Furthermore the team that
it sent consisted of sixteen part-time players, none of whom
made their living playing the game. The team's success was
virtually unheralded in America.
Little about the tournament was reported in the American press
and few, even today, realize that the United States team placed
third, the highest ever outcome for an American team. Sadly, no
films were made of the games in which the U.S. team played, nor
are there any recordings of radio commentary. But, happily, Mr.
Rony Almeida, after what must have been painstaking research,
has drawn together a variety of contemporary newspaper reports
which paint a vivid picture of the U.S. team both on and off the
field during the team's stay in Uruguay. His book "Where The
Legend Began" contains, within its' covers, photographs which
few knew even existed. And, through his diligence in obtaining
game descriptions and newspaper articles, he has added a
dimension to the exploits of that legendary U.S. team which
would have remained cloaked in the passage of time had it not
been for his extraordinary efforts.
My father, James Brown, who was a member of that first U.S.
World Cup team, would have been thrilled at the way in which Mr.
Almeida has recaptured that brief, shining moment in the history
of U.S. soccer. He has done honor to a great team and an
epochal event in world soccer.
George C. Brown
Member, National Soccer Hall of Fame
Oneonta, New York
Endorsement letter received from the Club Nacional
de Football, Montevideo-Uruguay
Montevideo, January 5, 2006
The Club Nacional de Football appreciates the
submission of your unpublished work entitled “Where
the Legend Began”, which first bilingual edition is
soon to be published in the United States of
America.
The Directors of Club Nacional de Football share the
spirit and commitment of our Institution, which is
to permanently revive our sports feats. We embrace
your endeavour of promoting the history of the Club
and our soccer field, the centenary “Parque Central”
that filled innumerable days of Glory in World’s
Soccer.
By reviewing your work, the reader can see that you
address an important part of the prestigious history
of the “Parque Central”, which is maybe the most
notable since the FIFA gave birth to the World Cup
Tournaments in this field. It is to be remarked that
the narrative gives emphasis to the aid and
assistance given by Club Nacional de Football to the
Delegation of the United States in particular and to
the development to the First World Cup in general.
Mr. Almeida, we must mention that works like yours
are for the benefit of these and future generations
of soccer enthusiasts worldwide, for ones will
remember and others will know about the actors, the
facts, and the places, where the universal and
prestigious FIFA World Cup was born.
In view of the above and recognizing the merit of
your endeavour, the Board of Directors of Club
Nacional de Football under my Administration hereby
acknowledges that your work entitled “Where the
Legend Began” is declared of interest for our
Institution, by virtue of which we are pleased to
endorse your work. At the same time we wish you
every success with your effort of promoting the book
in other markets.
Please receive my best wishes for success.
Yours sincerely,
Eduardo Ache
President
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