Thomas Murray (soccer)
Encyclopedia
Thomas “Tommy” Murray was a Scottish-American football (soccer)
right halfback
who played the first two U.S. national team
games in 1916.
of the National Association Football League during their years as the dominant U.S. team. He played with the team from at least 1914 to at least 1919. However, in 1918, he spent time in the military when the U.S. entry into World War I
. In 1919 he is listed with Paterson F.C. He then moved to Philadelphia Field Club
for the 1921-1922 American Soccer League
season. In 1923, he is listed as with Harrison F.C.
, but does not appear to have played a game with them. In 1923, he moved to the Newark Skeeters
. In 1924, he began the season with the Brooklyn Wanderers
before finishing it with Indiana Flooring
. That was his last season in the ASL.
in 1916. In the first official U.S. national team game, the U.S. defeated Sweden
on August 20, 1916. On September 3, 1916, Murray and his team mates tied Norway
before returning to the U.S.
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
right halfback
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
who played the first two 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...
games in 1916.
Professional career
Murray played several years for 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...
of the National Association Football League during their years as the dominant U.S. team. He played with the team from at least 1914 to at least 1919. However, in 1918, he spent time in the military when the U.S. entry into World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. In 1919 he is listed with Paterson F.C. He then moved to 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...
for the 1921-1922 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...
season. In 1923, he is listed as 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....
, but does not appear to have played a game with them. 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:...
. In 1924, he began the season with 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:...
before finishing it with Indiana Flooring
Indiana Flooring
Indiana Flooring were a New York soccer team that played in the American Soccer League between 1924 and 1927. They replaced New York Field Club. Before joining the ASL, the team had played in various state leagues....
. That was his last season in the ASL.
National team
Murray earned two caps with the 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 1916. In the first official U.S. national team game, the U.S. defeated Sweden
Sweden national football team
The Swedish national football team represents Sweden in association football and is controlled by the Swedish Football Association, the governing body for Football in Sweden. Sweden's home ground is Råsunda Stadium in Stockholms län and their head coach is Erik Hamrén. Sweden made their first...
on August 20, 1916. On September 3, 1916, Murray and his team mates tied Norway
Norway national football team
The Norway national football team represents Norway in association football and is controlled by the Football Association of Norway, the governing body for football in Norway. Norway's home ground is Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo and their head coach is Egil Olsen...
before returning to the U.S.