American Football Association
Encyclopedia
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 formed in 1884 in an attempt to standardize rules and procedures. It was allied with The Football Association
, becoming a member on February 22, 1909 at an FA meeting chaired by John Charles Clegg , and drew on that organization's approach to the game. As part of its efforts, the AFA directly organized both league and cup competitions as well as overseeing the operations of member leagues. In 1884, it established the American Cup
, which for several decades was the highest competitive soccer competition in the United States. The weakness of the AFA lay in its refusal to expand outside of the southern New England
region. When a movement began to create a national governing body in 1911, the AFA found itself confronting the newly established American Amateur Football Association (AAFA), a body which quickly became national. The AFA argued that it should be recognized by FIFA
. However, several member organizations defected from the AFA to the AAFA in 1912. The AAFA quickly moved to reform itself as the United States Football Association, receiving FIFA recognition in 1913. The AFA continued to run the American Cup
until 1925, but by that time it had been superseded by the National Challenge Cup and National Amateur Cup
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
to form an organizing soccer body. It is best known for being the second oldest sports league to form, behind Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
in 1876, as well as being the oldest soccer league in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The Association was formed in 1884 in an attempt to standardize rules and procedures. It was 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...
, becoming a member on February 22, 1909 at an FA meeting chaired by John Charles Clegg , and drew on that organization's approach to the game. As part of its efforts, the AFA directly organized both league and cup competitions as well as overseeing the operations of member leagues. In 1884, it established the American Cup
American Cup
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...
, which for several decades was the highest competitive soccer competition in the United States. The weakness of the AFA lay in its refusal to expand outside of the southern New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
region. When a movement began to create a national governing body in 1911, the AFA found itself confronting the newly established American Amateur Football Association (AAFA), a body which quickly became national. The AFA argued that it should be recognized by 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...
. However, several member organizations defected from the AFA to the AAFA in 1912. The AAFA quickly moved to reform itself as the United States Football Association, receiving FIFA recognition in 1913. The AFA continued to run the American Cup
American Cup
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...
until 1925, but by that time it had been superseded by the National Challenge Cup and 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...
.