Tom Florie
Encyclopedia
Thomas Florie was an American
soccer forward
. He played in both the first and second American Soccer League
s, winning two U.S. Open Cup titles. Florie was also a member of the United States men's national soccer team
at the 1930
and 1934 FIFA World Cup
. He was inducted into the U.S. National Soccer Hall of Fame
in 1986.
delayed the start of his career. In 1922, Florie signed with Harrison F.C.
of the American Soccer League
. However, he only played three games before leaving Harrison to play for American A.A. in the West Hudson Amateur League.
but, the team only lasted the spring season before merging with the New York Yankees
to become New Bedford Whalers III. In 1932, the Whalers defeated Stix, Baer and Fuller F.C.
, 8-5 on aggregate in the National Challenge Cup final. Florie scored one goal in each of the two games. Despite this victory, the Whalers collapsed that fall, followed soon after by the entire league. Florie then moved to the Pawtucket Rangers
which had jumped to the second American Soccer League
. In 1934, Florie was on the losing side in the U.S. Open Cup when the Rangers fell to Stix, Baer and Fuller in three games. By that time, the Rangers had left the ASL. In 1941, Florie won his second Open Cup when Pawtucket F.C. defeated Detroit Chrysler, 8-5 on aggregate, with Florie scoring one goal.
from 1925 to 1934. His first cap came in a 1-0 loss to Canada
on June 27, 1925. His second came a year later, this time a 6-2 win over Canada in which Florie scored. Florie was not called into the national team for the 1928 Olympics, but was called up for the 1930 FIFA World Cup
. He was named as the team captain as the U.S. went to the semifinals before falling to Argentina
. His last national team game came in the first round loss to Italy
in the 1934 FIFA World Cup
.
Florie was inducted in to the National Soccer Hall of Fame
in 1986.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
soccer forward
Striker
Forwards, also known as strikers, are the players on a team in association football who play nearest to the opposing team's goal, and are therefore principally responsible for scoring goals...
. He played in both the first and second 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...
s, winning two U.S. Open Cup titles. Florie was also a member of the United States men's national soccer 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...
at the 1930
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...
and 1934 FIFA World Cup
1934 FIFA World Cup
The 1934 FIFA World Cup was the second FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in Italy from 27 May to 10 June 1934....
. He was inducted into the U.S. 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 1986.
Early career
Born in New Jersey to Italian immigrant parents, Florie played soccer as a youth, but service in the Navy during World War IWorld 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...
delayed the start of his career. In 1922, Florie 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...
. However, he only played three games before leaving Harrison to play for American A.A. in the West Hudson Amateur League.
American Soccer League
In 1924, Florie returned to the ASL when he signed with Providence F.C.. He quickly established himself as one of the top wing forwards in the league. In 1928, he began the season with Providence, now known as the Gold Bugs, before moving to New Bedford Whalers II. He later joined Fall River F.C.Fall River F.C.
Fall River Football Club, also referred to as Fall River Field Club, was the name used by two United States soccer clubs, based in Fall River, Massachusetts. Both played in the American Soccer League during the early 1930s. The name is often used incorrectly to refer to Fall River Marksmen, another...
but, the team only lasted the spring season before merging with the New York Yankees
New York Yankees (soccer)
New York Yankees were a New York soccer team that played briefly in the American Soccer League. They were formed following the merger of Fall River Marksmen and New York Soccer Club. Although the Yankees survived only a short time, they beat Celtic in a prestige friendly and effectively won the...
to become New Bedford Whalers III. In 1932, the Whalers defeated Stix, Baer and Fuller F.C.
Stix, Baer and Fuller F.C.
Stix, Baer and Fuller F.C. was a U.S. soccer club which played in the St. Louis Soccer League from 1931 to 1934. The team was known as Hellrungs from 1929 to 1931, St. Louis Central Breweries F.C. from 1934 to 1935 and St. Louis Shamrocks from 1935 to 1938. During its short existence, it won two...
, 8-5 on aggregate in the National Challenge Cup final. Florie scored one goal in each of the two games. Despite this victory, the Whalers collapsed that fall, followed soon after by the entire league. Florie then moved to the Pawtucket Rangers
Pawtucket Rangers
J. & P. Coats was an American soccer club team of the J. & P. Coats Company based in Pawtucket, Rhode Island having been founded in 1900.The club played won the Rhode Island League in 1914 then was an inaugural member of the semi-pro Southern New England Soccer League...
which had jumped to the second 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...
. In 1934, Florie was on the losing side in the U.S. Open Cup when the Rangers fell to Stix, Baer and Fuller in three games. By that time, the Rangers had left the ASL. In 1941, Florie won his second Open Cup when Pawtucket F.C. defeated Detroit Chrysler, 8-5 on aggregate, with Florie scoring one goal.
National team
Florie earned eight caps, scoring two goals, 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...
from 1925 to 1934. His first cap came in a 1-0 loss to 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...
on June 27, 1925. His second came a year later, this time a 6-2 win over Canada in which Florie scored. Florie was not called into the national team for the 1928 Olympics, but was called up for 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...
. He was named as the team captain as the U.S. went to the semifinals before falling 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...
. His last national team game came in the first round loss to Italy
Italy national football team
The Italy National Football Team , represents Italy in association football and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation , the governing body for football in Italy. Italy is the second most successful national team in the history of the World Cup having won four titles , just one fewer than...
in the 1934 FIFA World Cup
1934 FIFA World Cup
The 1934 FIFA World Cup was the second FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in Italy from 27 May to 10 June 1934....
.
Florie was inducted in to 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 1986.