Nat Agar
Encyclopedia
Nathan “Nat” Agar was an English-American soccer player, coach, referee, team owner and league executive. He was part of the formation of the United States Football Association, but later fought it as a team owner and league official of the American Soccer League
and Southern New York State Football Association during the 1928 "Soccer War." He also coached three United States national team
games against Canada
in 1925 and 1926.
of the New York State Association Football League and at least one season, 1919–20 with Longfellows of the New York State League.
into the American Soccer League
. The ASL was set for its first season and the Wanderers would play at Hawthorne Field, a dedicated soccer facility owned by Agar. Agar also chose to manage the team and played several games during the team’s first two seasons. In 1926, Hakoah Vienna, one of the top Austrian teams toured the U.S. The team was composed entirely of Jews, many of whom were favorably impressed with the United States. Agar, who was also Jewish, immediately began negotiations to sign the players and in December 1926, brought the several Hakoah stars to the Wanderers. Despite the additional talent, the Wanderers remained a mid-table team for much of its existence.
as well as several teams from the Southern New York State Football Association. The SNYFA considered the ESL to be encroaching on its territory, and, when the association president, Dr. Manning, resigned, Agar was elected in his place. Agar then led the SNYFA in leaving the USFA and allying itself with the ASL against the USFA.
in a two game, home and away, series with Canada
. The U.S. lost the first, 1–0, in Canada, but won the November rematch 6–1, in the U.S. On June 11, 1926, Agar again led the U.S. to a 6–2 victory over Canada.
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...
and Southern New York State Football Association during the 1928 "Soccer War." He also coached three United States 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...
games against 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 1925 and 1926.
Early career
At some point in the early 1900s, Agar immigrated to the United States from his native England. In 1905, he founded his first team, Critchleys. In 1906, he was instrumental in the founding of the New York Amateur Association Football League. Agar was elected as the league's secretary, a position he held until at least 1911. He was also president of the league in 1910. In January 1909, Agar broke his leg while challenging for the ball. He remained with Critchleys until it folded following the 1912–13 season. He then played at least one season, 1916–17 with New York Clan MacDonaldNew York Clan MacDonald
The New York Clan MacDonald were a Scottish American professional soccer club. They spent several seasons in both the National Association Football League and New York State Football Association.-History:...
of the New York State Association Football League and at least one season, 1919–20 with Longfellows of the New York State League.
Referee
Agar also served as a referee for the New York Amateur Association League, being assaulted while officiating a game in April 1910.USFA
While Agar was part of the founding of the United States Football Association in 1913. However, he later became one of the major forces opposing the USFA during the 1928–1929 "Soccer War."American Soccer League
In 1922, Agar entered the realm of professional team ownership when he entered the Brooklyn WanderersBrooklyn 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:...
into 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...
. The ASL was set for its first season and the Wanderers would play at Hawthorne Field, a dedicated soccer facility owned by Agar. Agar also chose to manage the team and played several games during the team’s first two seasons. In 1926, Hakoah Vienna, one of the top Austrian teams toured the U.S. The team was composed entirely of Jews, many of whom were favorably impressed with the United States. Agar, who was also Jewish, immediately began negotiations to sign the players and in December 1926, brought the several Hakoah stars to the Wanderers. Despite the additional talent, the Wanderers remained a mid-table team for much of its existence.
Southern New York State Football Association
During the Soccer War, the USFA brokered the creation of the Eastern Soccer League composed of three teams suspended from the American Soccer LeagueAmerican 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...
as well as several teams from the Southern New York State Football Association. The SNYFA considered the ESL to be encroaching on its territory, and, when the association president, Dr. Manning, resigned, Agar was elected in his place. Agar then led the SNYFA in leaving the USFA and allying itself with the ASL against the USFA.
National team coach
In June 1926, Agar was selected to coach 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...
in a two game, home and away, series with 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...
. The U.S. lost the first, 1–0, in Canada, but won the November rematch 6–1, in the U.S. On June 11, 1926, Agar again led the U.S. to a 6–2 victory over Canada.