The American Cup was the first major U.S. soccer competition open to teams beyond a single league. It was first held in 1885. In the 1910s, it gradually declined in importance with the establishment of the National Challenge Cup. It was last held in 1924.
The trophy was made by Gaven Spence & Co. and is described as "a very elegant sterling silver trophy. It is a vase about thirteen inches high surmounted by a Roman athlete. On either side is a foot ball and goal post, while in front on a large shield is the inscription".

History

Founded in 1884, the American Football Association

American Football Association

American Football Association was the first attempt in the United States to form an organizing soccer body. It is best known for being the second oldest sports league to form, behind Major League Baseball in 1876, as well as being the oldest soccer league in the United States. The Association was...

 (AFA) was the first non-league organizing body in the United States. Allied with the Football Association

The Football Association

The Football Association, also known as simply The FA, is the governing body of football in England, and the Crown Dependencies of Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. It was formed in 1863, and is the oldest national football association...

, the AFA sought to standardize rules for teams competing in northern New Jersey and southern New York. Within two years, this region began to widen to include teams in Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. Within a year of its founding, the AFA organized the first non-league cup in U.S. soccer history. Teams from New Jersey and Massachusetts dominated the first twelve years. Then in 1897, Philadelphia Manz brought the title to Pennsylvania for the first time. Soccer in the United States went through a downturn in the late 1890s. As a result, the AFA suspended the cup from 1899 until 1906. By that time, the growth in the sport had led to a confusion of rules and standards. This led to a movement to create a truly national body to oversee U.S. soccer. Drawing on both its position as the oldest soccer organization and the status of the American Cup, the AFA argued that it should be the nationally recognized body. In October 1911, a competing body, the American Amateur Football Association (AAFA) was created. It quickly spread outside of the northeast U.S. and began its own cup in 1912, the American Amateur Football Association Cup

American Amateur Football Association Cup

The American Amateur Football Association Cup was an American soccer competition open to amateur teams affiliated with the American Amateur Football Association . It played only two years, 1912 and 1913 before being superseded by the National Challenge Cup, now known as the Lamar Hunt U.S...

. That year, both the AFA and AAFA applied for membership in FIFA

FIFA

The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...

, the international organizing body for soccer. In 1913, the AAFA gained an edge over the AFA when several AFA organizations moved to the AAFA. On April 5, 1913, the AAFA reorganized as the United States Football Association. FIFA quickly granted a provisional membership and USFA began exerting its influence on the sport. This led to the establishment of the National Challenge Cup that fall. The National Challenge Cup quickly grew to overshadow the American Cup. However, both cups were played simultaneously for the next ten years. Declining respect for the AFA led to the withdrawal of several associations from its cup in 1917. Further competition came in 1924 when USFA created the National Amateur Cup

National Amateur Cup

The National Amateur Cup is an American soccer competition open to all amateur teams affiliated with the United States Soccer Federation...

. That spelled the death knell for the American Cup. It played its last season in 1924.

Champions by year

Year	Final Group Rank
	Winner	Runner-up
1885 Details 1885 American Cup The 1885 American Cup was the inaugural edition of this tournament staged by the American Football Association. Six teams contended for the first edition played in the 1884-85 season. Five of the teams were from New Jersey and one from New York...	Clark O.N.T. Clark O.N.T. Clark O.N.T., was a U.S. soccer team sponsored by the Clark Thread Company. The team competed in the annual American Cup, winning the first three championships.-Name:...	New York
1886 Details 1886 American Cup The 1886 American Cup was the second installment of the soccer tournament directed by the American Football Association. Clark ONT, as holders of the trophy, had successfully defended their title and receiving along with the trophy a pair of leg guards donated by the Alma Cricket and Football...	Clark O.N.T. Clark O.N.T. Clark O.N.T., was a U.S. soccer team sponsored by the Clark Thread Company. The team competed in the annual American Cup, winning the first three championships.-Name:...	Kearny Rangers
1887 Details 1887 American Cup The 1887 American Cup was the third edition of the soccer tournament organized by the American Football Association. For the third time since its inception the Clark ONT's were the champions.-Participants:...	Clark O.N.T. Clark O.N.T. Clark O.N.T., was a U.S. soccer team sponsored by the Clark Thread Company. The team competed in the annual American Cup, winning the first three championships.-Name:...	Kearny Rangers
1888 Details 1888 American Cup The 1888 American Cup was the fourth edition of the soccer tournament organized by the American Football Association. Having expanded into the New England district the first new champions came from Fall River, Massachusetts after Clark ONT of Newark had won the previous three editions...	Fall River Rovers Fall River Rovers Fall River Rovers were a United States soccer club, based in Fall River, Massachusetts. They won the 1888 and 1889 American Cups as well as the 1917 National Challenge Cup. In 1921 Rovers were disbanded and a new team, Fall River United were formed to enter the newly established American Soccer...	Newark Almas
1889 Details 1889 American Cup The 1889 American Cup was the fifth edition of the soccer tournament organized by the American Football Association. The Fall River Rovers won their second consecutive title by defeating the Newark Caledonians in the final.-Participants:...	Fall River Rovers Fall River Rovers Fall River Rovers were a United States soccer club, based in Fall River, Massachusetts. They won the 1888 and 1889 American Cups as well as the 1917 National Challenge Cup. In 1921 Rovers were disbanded and a new team, Fall River United were formed to enter the newly established American Soccer...	Newark Caledonians
1890 Details 1890 American Cup The 1890 American Cup was the sixth edition of the soccer tournament organized by the American Football Association. The Fall River Olympics won their first title becoming the second Fall River team to do so after the Rovers had won the previous two editions....	Fall River Olympics	Kearny Rovers
1891 Details	Fall River East Ends	Brooklyn Longfellows
1892 Details	Fall River East Ends	New York Thistle
1893 Details	Pawtucket Free Wanderers	New York Thistle
1894 Details	Pawtucket Olympics	Paterson True Blues Paterson True Blues Paterson True Blues was a professional U.S. soccer team founded in 1887 and disestablished after 1915. The True Blues, based out of Paterson, New Jersey, are best known as one of the dominant soccer teams of its era and one of the first U.S...
1895 Details	Newark Caledonian	Pawtucket Free Wanderers
1896 Details	Paterson True Blues Paterson True Blues Paterson True Blues was a professional U.S. soccer team founded in 1887 and disestablished after 1915. The True Blues, based out of Paterson, New Jersey, are best known as one of the dominant soccer teams of its era and one of the first U.S...	Fall River Olympics
1897 Details	Philadelphia Manz	Paterson True Blues Paterson True Blues Paterson True Blues was a professional U.S. soccer team founded in 1887 and disestablished after 1915. The True Blues, based out of Paterson, New Jersey, are best known as one of the dominant soccer teams of its era and one of the first U.S...
1898 Details	Kearny Arlington Kearny Arlington Kearny Arlington was a U.S. soccer team based out of Kearny, New Jersey which played in the first National Association Football League. The team at time was referred to incorrectly as Newark Arlington due to confusion between the two cities.-History:...	Paterson True Blues Paterson True Blues Paterson True Blues was a professional U.S. soccer team founded in 1887 and disestablished after 1915. The True Blues, based out of Paterson, New Jersey, are best known as one of the dominant soccer teams of its era and one of the first U.S...
1899-1905	No competition
1906 Details	West Hudson A.A. West Hudson A.A. The West Hudson Athletic Association was one of the dominant U.S. soccer teams of the early twentieth century. In 1912, it became the first U.S. team to win a “double” when it took the National Association Football League and American Cup titles...	Paterson True Blues Paterson True Blues Paterson True Blues was a professional U.S. soccer team founded in 1887 and disestablished after 1915. The True Blues, based out of Paterson, New Jersey, are best known as one of the dominant soccer teams of its era and one of the first U.S...
1907 Details	Clark A.A. Clark A.A. Clark Athletic Association, also known as East Newark Clark A.A., was a U.S. soccer team sponsored by the Clark Mile End Spool Cotton Company. It spent two seasons in the National Association Football League where it was co-champion in 1909.-Name:...	Kearny Scots Kearny Scots The Kearny Scots are an American soccer club based in Kearny, New Jersey. The Scots have played in both the National Association Football League and the second American Soccer League. When not members of those leagues, the Scots competed in lower level city leagues...
1908 Details 1908 American Cup The 1908 American Cup was the annual open cup held by the American Football Association. The West Hudsons won the tournament for the second time in three years defeating the Paterson True Blues in the final as they did in 1906.-Entries:-Semifinals:...	West Hudson A.A. West Hudson A.A. The West Hudson Athletic Association was one of the dominant U.S. soccer teams of the early twentieth century. In 1912, it became the first U.S. team to win a “double” when it took the National Association Football League and American Cup titles...	Paterson True Blues Paterson True Blues Paterson True Blues was a professional U.S. soccer team founded in 1887 and disestablished after 1915. The True Blues, based out of Paterson, New Jersey, are best known as one of the dominant soccer teams of its era and one of the first U.S...
1909 Details 1909 American Cup -American Cup Bracket:Home teams listed on top of bracket: replay after tied match-Final:-Replay:Paterson True Blues: GK Garside, DF Murray, McClellan, MF MacInstri, Stewart, Chambers, FW Spindler, Fletcher, McWinnie, Gilmour, Donechie....	Paterson True Blues Paterson True Blues Paterson True Blues was a professional U.S. soccer team founded in 1887 and disestablished after 1915. The True Blues, based out of Paterson, New Jersey, are best known as one of the dominant soccer teams of its era and one of the first U.S...	East Newark Clark A.A.
1910 Details 1910 American Cup The 1910 American Cup was the annual open cup held by the American Football Association. Twenty-nine teams entered the competition. Tacony F.C. became champions of this edition after defeating the Scottish Americans 2-1 in the final round....	Disston A.A. Disston A.A. Philadelphia Tacony Disston Athletic Association Football Club, better known as Disston A.A. and nicknamed The Sawmakers was a U.S. soccer team sponsored by the Disston Saw Works company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The team played for several years in local Philadelphia leagues before joining...	Kearny Scots Kearny Scots The Kearny Scots are an American soccer club based in Kearny, New Jersey. The Scots have played in both the National Association Football League and the second American Soccer League. When not members of those leagues, the Scots competed in lower level city leagues...
1911 Details 1911 American Cup The 1911 American Cup was the annual open cup held by the American Football Association. Twenty-eight teams entered the tournament. Howard & Bullough of Pawtucket were the winners of this edition.-American Cup Bracket:a) aggregate after 3 games-Final:...	Howard & Bullough Howard & Bullough Howard & Bullough was a firm of textile machine manufacturers in Accrington, Lancashire. They were the world's major manufacturer of power looms in the 1860s.-History:...	Philadelphia Hibernian Philadelphia Hibernian Philadelphia Hibernian, also known as Hibernian F.C., was an early twentieth century U.S. soccer team which played in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.-History:...
1912 Details	West Hudson A.A. West Hudson A.A. The West Hudson Athletic Association was one of the dominant U.S. soccer teams of the early twentieth century. In 1912, it became the first U.S. team to win a “double” when it took the National Association Football League and American Cup titles...	Paterson Rangers Paterson Rangers Paterson Rangers was a U.S. soccer team which played in Paterson, New Jersey during the early twentieth century. They spent two seasons in New York’s Metropolitan Association Football League and nine in the National Association Football League-History:...
1913 Details 1913 American Cup The 1913 American Cup was the annual open cup held by the American Football Association. This marked the twelfth time a New Jersey team won the tournament and the third time for this year's winner the Paterson True Blues. It took three matches for them to overcome their final opponents Tacony of...	Paterson True Blues Paterson True Blues Paterson True Blues was a professional U.S. soccer team founded in 1887 and disestablished after 1915. The True Blues, based out of Paterson, New Jersey, are best known as one of the dominant soccer teams of its era and one of the first U.S...	Disston A.A. Disston A.A. Philadelphia Tacony Disston Athletic Association Football Club, better known as Disston A.A. and nicknamed The Sawmakers was a U.S. soccer team sponsored by the Disston Saw Works company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The team played for several years in local Philadelphia leagues before joining...
1914 Details 1914 American Cup The 1914 American Cup was the annual open cup held by the American Football Association. Forty-one teams entered the tournament. The Bethlehem Steel team debuted in and won the tournament playing ten games through six rounds.-American Cup Bracket:...	Bethlehem Steel F.C. Bethlehem Steel F.C. Bethlehem Steel Football Club was one of the most successful early American soccer clubs. Known as the Bethlehem Football Club from 1911 until 1915 when it became the Bethlehem Steel Football Club, the team was sponsored by the Bethlehem Steel corporation and played their home games first at East...	Disston A.A. Disston A.A. Philadelphia Tacony Disston Athletic Association Football Club, better known as Disston A.A. and nicknamed The Sawmakers was a U.S. soccer team sponsored by the Disston Saw Works company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The team played for several years in local Philadelphia leagues before joining...
1915 Details 1915 American Cup The 1915 American Cup was the annual open cup held by the American Football Association. The Scottish-Americans, after two previous final appearances, won their first American Cup by overcoming the Brooklyn Celtics 1-0 in the championship game....	Kearny Scots Kearny Scots The Kearny Scots are an American soccer club based in Kearny, New Jersey. The Scots have played in both the National Association Football League and the second American Soccer League. When not members of those leagues, the Scots competed in lower level city leagues...	Brooklyn Celtic
1916 Details 1916 American Cup The 1916 American Cup was the annual open cup held by the American Football Association. The 1916 edition included 37 of the top eastern teams. The title was won by Bethlehem Steel with a 3-0 win over the Scottish Americans courtesy of a hat trick by Neil Clarke making Bethlehem the first team to...	Bethlehem Steel F.C. Bethlehem Steel F.C. Bethlehem Steel Football Club was one of the most successful early American soccer clubs. Known as the Bethlehem Football Club from 1911 until 1915 when it became the Bethlehem Steel Football Club, the team was sponsored by the Bethlehem Steel corporation and played their home games first at East...	Kearny Scots Kearny Scots The Kearny Scots are an American soccer club based in Kearny, New Jersey. The Scots have played in both the National Association Football League and the second American Soccer League. When not members of those leagues, the Scots competed in lower level city leagues...
1917 Details 1917 American Cup The 1917 American Cup was the annual open cup held by the American Football Association. Thirty-six teams entered the competition however none of the major Massachusetts teams entered. A new rule that season made by the Southern New England FA forbade their clubs from entering more than one...	Bethlehem Steel F.C. Bethlehem Steel F.C. Bethlehem Steel Football Club was one of the most successful early American soccer clubs. Known as the Bethlehem Football Club from 1911 until 1915 when it became the Bethlehem Steel Football Club, the team was sponsored by the Bethlehem Steel corporation and played their home games first at East...	West Hudson A.A. West Hudson A.A. The West Hudson Athletic Association was one of the dominant U.S. soccer teams of the early twentieth century. In 1912, it became the first U.S. team to win a “double” when it took the National Association Football League and American Cup titles...
1918 Details 1918 American Cup The 1918 American Cup was the annual open cup held by the American Football Association. Twenty nine teams began the tournament which culminated in Bethlehem's third straight championship.-American Cup Bracket:-Final:...	Bethlehem Steel F.C. Bethlehem Steel F.C. Bethlehem Steel Football Club was one of the most successful early American soccer clubs. Known as the Bethlehem Football Club from 1911 until 1915 when it became the Bethlehem Steel Football Club, the team was sponsored by the Bethlehem Steel corporation and played their home games first at East...	Babcock and Wilcox Babcock and Wilcox (soccer) Babcock and Wilcox was a U.S. soccer team which had its origins as the Babcock and Wilcox company team of Bayonne, New Jersey. It spent five seasons in the National Association Football League and finished as runner up in the 1918 American Cup.-History:They were members of the New Jersey State...
1919 Details 1919 American Cup The 1919 American Cup was the annual open cup held by the American Football Association.-American Cup Bracket:protested, replayed at Pawtucket-Final:...	Bethlehem Steel F.C. Bethlehem Steel F.C. Bethlehem Steel Football Club was one of the most successful early American soccer clubs. Known as the Bethlehem Football Club from 1911 until 1915 when it became the Bethlehem Steel Football Club, the team was sponsored by the Bethlehem Steel corporation and played their home games first at East...	Paterson F.C. Paterson Silk Sox Paterson F.C. was an early twentieth century American soccer club based in Paterson, New Jersey. It spent three seasons in the National Association Football League, winning one title, and one season in the American Soccer League.-History:...
1920 Details 1920 American Cup The 1920 American Cup was the annual open cup held by the American Football Association. Bethlehem Steel had their streak of four straight American Cup wins broken this year by Robins Dry Dock of Brooklyn. The shipbuilders defeated the steelworkers 1-0 in the final on May 2nd at Harrison, New...	Brooklyn Robins Dry Dock Brooklyn Robins Dry Dock The Brooklyn Robins Dry Dock were an American soccer team which took its name from the workplace it represented. The dock was part of the Todd Pacific Shipyards in Brooklyn who formed the professional soccer club in 1918 to play in the National Association Football League. Robins played until the...	Bethlehem Steel F.C. Bethlehem Steel F.C. Bethlehem Steel Football Club was one of the most successful early American soccer clubs. Known as the Bethlehem Football Club from 1911 until 1915 when it became the Bethlehem Steel Football Club, the team was sponsored by the Bethlehem Steel corporation and played their home games first at East...
1921 Details	Brooklyn Robins Dry Dock Brooklyn Robins Dry Dock The Brooklyn Robins Dry Dock were an American soccer team which took its name from the workplace it represented. The dock was part of the Todd Pacific Shipyards in Brooklyn who formed the professional soccer club in 1918 to play in the National Association Football League. Robins played until the...	Fore River Fore River (soccer) Fore River was an amateur U.S. soccer team which had its origins as the Fore River Shipbuilding company team of Quincy, Massachusetts.-History:...
1922 Details 1922 American Cup The 1922 American Cup was not held. The American Football Association in accordance with new rules passed by the USFA did not conduct a tournament for the 1921-22 season. The hiatus was brief however, with the tournament resuming the following season.-History:...	No competition
1923 Details 1923 American Cup The 1923 American Cup was the annual open cup held by the American Football Association.-American Cup Bracket:Home teams listed on top of bracket: replay after tied match-Final:...	Fleisher Yarn Fleisher Yarn Fleisher Yarn began as an amateur company soccer club of the SB & BW Fleisher Manufacturing Company in Philadelphia and quickly became a national amateur soccer power...	J&P Coats
1924 Details 1924 American Cup The 1924 American Cup was the annual open cup held by the American Football Association.-American Cup Bracket:Home teams listed on top of bracket: replay after tied match-Final:...	Bethlehem Steel F.C. Bethlehem Steel F.C. Bethlehem Steel Football Club was one of the most successful early American soccer clubs. Known as the Bethlehem Football Club from 1911 until 1915 when it became the Bethlehem Steel Football Club, the team was sponsored by the Bethlehem Steel corporation and played their home games first at East...	Fall River Marksmen Fall River Marksmen Fall River Marksmen was a United States soccer club, based in Fall River, Massachusetts. They originally played as Fall River United before becoming known as the Marksmen after their owner, Sam Mark. During the 1920s and early 1930s they were one of the most successful soccer clubs in the United...