Jimmy Douglas (American soccer)
Encyclopedia
Jimmy Douglas was a U.S. soccer goalkeeper
who spent his career in the first American Soccer League
(ASL). He earned nine caps with the U.S. national team
, making his first appearance for the "Stars and Stripes" at the 1924 Summer Olympics
. Notably, he finished his international career at the 1930 FIFA World Cup
, where he posted the first "clean sheet" in World Cup history. Douglas was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame
in 1953.
in 1907 when he was nine years old. Over the next fourteen years he played for a variety of amateur teams including Ryerson, Antlers, Erie and Swansons. In 1922, he signed with Harrison F.C.
of the American Soccer League
(ASL). However, he remained an amateur, refusing to accept any payment. In the 1922-1923 ASL season, Douglas played twenty-three games, winning fourteen and gaining a 2.44 goals against average
(GAA). In 1923, he moved to the Newark Skeeters
(at times called Newark F.C.). Douglas spent two seasons with Newark, still maintaining his amateur status. In the fall of 1925, Douglas began playing for the New York Giants
. However, the Newark Skeeters still listed Douglas on their rosters and the Giants were forced to forfeit several games after teams complained to the league. After the Giants got that problem straightened out, Douglas continued to play for them until October 1927 when he moved to the Fall River Marksmen
. After one season in Fall River, Douglas then played twelve games of the 1928-1929 season with Philadelphia Field Club
before moving to the Brooklyn Wanderers
for three games. He then finished the season back with the Fall River Marksmen. In 1929, Douglas joined the New York Nationals. In 1930, Charles Stoneham, owner of the Nationals, renamed his team the New York Giants when the original Giants changed their name to New York Soccer Club
. Douglas continued with the new Giants through the 1930 spring and fall season before moving to the New York Americans
in 1931. He played only seven games, then retired.
between 1924 and 1930. His first game came as a member of the national team
in the 1924 Summer Olympics
. He backstopped the U.S. to a 1-0 victory over Estonia
on May 25, 1924, Douglas was named the game’s MVP. Then four days later, the U.S. lost to Uruguay
which put the U.S. out of the tournament. Douglas then played the next two 1924 U.S. games. In 1925, he was in the nets for a U.S. 1-0 shutout of Canada
in Montreal
. In 1930, he returned to the national team at the 1930 FIFA World Cup
. Douglas shutout Belgium and Paraguay
before losing to Argentina
in the semifinals. About four minutes into that game, Douglas twisted his knee, then two U.S. players were injured. As the rules did not allow substitutes at the time, Douglas and his teammates were forced to play injured. Following the World Cup, the U.S. traveled to Rio de Janeiro
where it lost 4-3 to the Brazil
. Douglas finished his U.S. career with four wins and three shutouts.
The National Soccer Hall of Fame
inducted Douglas in 1954. Douglas died on March 5, 1972 in Point Pleasant, New Jersey
.
Goalkeeper (football)
In association football, the goalkeeper occupies a position that represents the last line of defence between the opponent's offence and his own team's goal. The primary role of the goalkeeper is to defend his team's goal and prevent the opposition from scoring a goal...
who spent his career in the first American Soccer League
American Soccer League
The American Soccer League has been a name used by three different professional soccer leagues in the United States. The first American Soccer League was established in 1921 by the merger of teams from the National Association Football League and the Southern New England Soccer League. For...
(ASL). He earned nine caps with the U.S. national team
United States men's national soccer team
The United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
, making his first appearance for the "Stars and Stripes" at the 1924 Summer Olympics
1924 Summer Olympics
The 1924 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the VIII Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1924 in Paris, France...
. Notably, he finished his international career at the 1930 FIFA World Cup
1930 FIFA World Cup
The 1930 FIFA World Cup was the inaugural FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in Uruguay from 13 July to 30 July 1930...
, where he posted the first "clean sheet" in World Cup history. Douglas was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame
National Soccer Hall of Fame
The National Soccer Hall of Fame is a private, non-profit institution established in 1979 that honors soccer achievements in the United States.-History:...
in 1953.
Playing career
Douglas began his organized playing career with the youth club, Central Juniors of Newark, New JerseyNewark, New Jersey
Newark is the largest city in the American state of New Jersey, and the seat of Essex County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Newark had a population of 277,140, maintaining its status as the largest municipality in New Jersey. It is the 68th largest city in the U.S...
in 1907 when he was nine years old. Over the next fourteen years he played for a variety of amateur teams including Ryerson, Antlers, Erie and Swansons. In 1922, he signed with Harrison F.C.
Harrison F.C.
Harrison F.C. was an American soccer club based in Harrison, New Jersey that began as the amateur Harrison Erie S.C. who played in the National Association Foot Ball League....
of the American Soccer League
American Soccer League
The American Soccer League has been a name used by three different professional soccer leagues in the United States. The first American Soccer League was established in 1921 by the merger of teams from the National Association Football League and the Southern New England Soccer League. For...
(ASL). However, he remained an amateur, refusing to accept any payment. In the 1922-1923 ASL season, Douglas played twenty-three games, winning fourteen and gaining a 2.44 goals against average
Goals against average
Goals Against Average is a statistic used in ice hockey, water polo, lacrosse, and soccer that is the mean of goals allowed per game by a goaltender....
(GAA). In 1923, he moved to the Newark Skeeters
Newark Skeeters
The Newark Skeeters was an American soccer club based in Newark, New Jersey and was a member of the American Soccer League and the Eastern Soccer League.The club folded upon the merger of the ASL & ESL after the fall 1929 season.-Year-by-year:...
(at times called Newark F.C.). Douglas spent two seasons with Newark, still maintaining his amateur status. In the fall of 1925, Douglas began playing for the New York Giants
New York Giants (soccer)
New York Giants was a name used by three different New York soccer teams. Two of these teams were associated with the New York Giants baseball franchise. The first team that used the name played in the American League of Professional Football in 1894...
. However, the Newark Skeeters still listed Douglas on their rosters and the Giants were forced to forfeit several games after teams complained to the league. After the Giants got that problem straightened out, Douglas continued to play for them until October 1927 when he moved to the 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...
. After one season in Fall River, Douglas then played twelve games of the 1928-1929 season with Philadelphia Field Club
Philadelphia Field Club
Philadelphia Field Club is a name used by four soccer teams based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. All four versions of Philadelphia F.C. competed in the first American Soccer League, but none were in any way related to the other three teams which shared its name.-Philadelphia F.C.:The Philadelphia...
before moving to the Brooklyn Wanderers
Brooklyn Wanderers
The Brooklyn Wanderers was a U.S. soccer team which was a founding member of the National Association Football League in the late nineteenth century. It later joined the American Soccer League.-History:...
for three games. He then finished the season back with the Fall River Marksmen. In 1929, Douglas joined the New York Nationals. In 1930, Charles Stoneham, owner of the Nationals, renamed his team the New York Giants when the original Giants changed their name to New York Soccer Club
New York Soccer Club
New York Soccer Club was the name of a New York soccer team that, in 1930, played briefly in the American Soccer League. Between 1923 and 1930 they had been known as the New York Giants. In 1930 they merged with the Fall River Marksmen to become the New York Yankees. Then in 1931 this club absorbed...
. Douglas continued with the new Giants through the 1930 spring and fall season before moving to the New York Americans
New York Americans (soccer)
The New York Americans were an American soccer club founded in 1931. Based in New York, New York, it played in both the first and second American Soccer Leagues.-History:...
in 1931. He played only seven games, then retired.
National team
Douglas earned nine caps with the U.S. national teamUnited States men's national soccer team
The United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
between 1924 and 1930. His first game came as a member of the national team
United States at the 1924 Summer Olympics
The United States competed at the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris, France.- Gold:* Athletics** Men's 110m hurdles: Daniel Kinsey** Men's 200m: Jackson Scholz** Men's 400m hurdles: Morgan Taylor** Men's 4x100m relay: United States team...
in the 1924 Summer Olympics
1924 Summer Olympics
The 1924 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the VIII Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1924 in Paris, France...
. He backstopped the U.S. to a 1-0 victory over Estonia
Estonia national football team
The Estonia national football team represents Estonia in international association football. Team members are selected by the head coach of Estonian Football Association . Estonia play their home matches at the A. Le Coq Arena in Tallinn, Estonia....
on May 25, 1924, Douglas was named the game’s MVP. Then four days later, the U.S. lost to Uruguay
Uruguay national football team
The Uruguayan national football team represents Uruguay in international association football and is controlled by the Uruguayan Football Association, the governing body for football in Uruguay. The current head coach is Óscar Tabárez...
which put the U.S. out of the tournament. Douglas then played the next two 1924 U.S. games. In 1925, he was in the nets for a U.S. 1-0 shutout of Canada
Canada men's national soccer team
The Canada men's national soccer team represents Canada in international soccer competitions at the senior men's level. They are overseen by the Canadian Soccer Association and compete in the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football .Their most significant...
in Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
. In 1930, he returned to the national team at the 1930 FIFA World Cup
1930 FIFA World Cup
The 1930 FIFA World Cup was the inaugural FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in Uruguay from 13 July to 30 July 1930...
. Douglas shutout Belgium and Paraguay
Paraguay national football team
The Paraguay national football team is controlled by the Paraguayan Football Association and represents Paraguay in men's international football competitions. The team has reached the second round of the World Cup on four occasions . The 2010 trip also featured their first appearance in the...
before losing to Argentina
Argentina national football team
The Argentina national football team represents Argentina in association football and is controlled by the Argentine Football Association , the governing body for football in Argentina. Argentina's home stadium is Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti and their head coach is Alejandro...
in the semifinals. About four minutes into that game, Douglas twisted his knee, then two U.S. players were injured. As the rules did not allow substitutes at the time, Douglas and his teammates were forced to play injured. Following the World Cup, the U.S. traveled to Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro , commonly referred to simply as Rio, is the capital city of the State of Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city of Brazil, and the third largest metropolitan area and agglomeration in South America, boasting approximately 6.3 million people within the city proper, making it the 6th...
where it lost 4-3 to the Brazil
Brazil national football team
The Brazil national football team represents Brazil in international men's football and is controlled by the Brazilian Football Confederation , the governing body for football in Brazil. They are a member of the International Federation of Association Football since 1923 and also a member of the...
. Douglas finished his U.S. career with four wins and three shutouts.
The National Soccer Hall of Fame
National Soccer Hall of Fame
The National Soccer Hall of Fame is a private, non-profit institution established in 1979 that honors soccer achievements in the United States.-History:...
inducted Douglas in 1954. Douglas died on March 5, 1972 in Point Pleasant, New Jersey
Point Pleasant, New Jersey
Point Pleasant is a Borough in Ocean County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 18,392...
.