San Francisco Soccer Football League

San Francisco Soccer Football League
Country United States USA
Confederation United States Soccer Federation
Founded 1902
Divisions 4
Website www.sfsfl.com

The San Francisco Soccer Football League or SFSFL, established in 1902, is "the oldest American soccer league in continuous existence".[1][2]

The SFSFL is a men's semi-professional and amateur soccer league consisting of teams from San Francisco, California and surrounding cities in the Bay Area. The SFSFL is affiliated with the United States Adult Soccer Association region IV California Soccer Association-North[3] and regularly sends teams to the National Amateur Cup.[4] It is on the 5th tier of the American soccer pyramid. Before the introduction of Major League Soccer, SFSFL teams had won the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup four times.[5][6]

History

Established in 1902, the SFSFL is the oldest soccer league continuously operating in the United States. The oldest competing leagues around the country are found in New York City and Chicago. The Cosmopolitan Soccer League of NYC was formed in 1923 and the National Soccer League of Chicago was formed in 1938. Additionally the United States Soccer Federation wasn't formed until 1913.

Soccer has been played in the parks of San Francisco for over a century, and generations of San Franciscans have spent their Sundays among friends and family playing competitive soccer in the SFSFL.[7]

Boxer Stadium

Some of the league's earliest teams still in operation are:

Organization

The league currently has 4 divisions and plays from March through November. Premier Division games are played at Boxer Stadium. Other divisions split games between Crocker Amazon Park, West Sunset, Beach Chalet, and the Polo Fields in Golden Gate Park.

Each team is individually owned and team owners approve new team membership. Annual divisional promotion and relegation occur keeping teams competitive. Division winners are awarded a permanent trophy with teams' names placed on the Century-old Trophy as well as awarded prize money. Players are granted amateur status preserving NCAA eligibility.[11] Standard FIFA games laws are used.[12] Teams are allowed 22 roster players of which 17 can play on game day. Three referee crew are assigned to each match. Elite officials from FIFA to State Level travel across California to officiate in the SFSFL.

Teams

The century-year old amateur soccer league is thriving with over 30 teams registered for the current season.[13]

Notable Members

Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Champions:

National Amateur Cup Finalists:

National Soccer Hall of Fame members:[14][15]

United States men's national soccer team coach Lothar Osiander[16]

United States men's national soccer team capped players:[17]

Major League Soccer players:

References

  1. ↑ Van Rheenen, Derek (2009). "The promise of soccer in America: the open play of ethnic subcultures". Soccer & Society (Oxford: Routledge Taylor & Francis) 10 (6): 781–704. doi:10.1080/14660970903239974. ISSN 1743-9590. Retrieved April 3, 2013.
  2. ↑ "Soccer and the World: Questions for Martha Saavedra". CALIFORNIA Magazine. Cal Alumni Association. 2010. Retrieved April 3, 2013.
  3. ↑ "CSAN League List". Retrieved 11 March 2013.
  4. ↑ "USASA - National Cups - Past Champions". Retrieved 11 March 2013.
  5. ↑ "US Open Cup History". Retrieved 11 March 2013.
  6. ↑ "The Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation - USA - List of US Open Cup Finals". Retrieved 11 March 2013.
  7. ↑ Garcia, Ken (7 June 2002). "Soccer fever in S.F. is not new outbreak". The San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 31 March 2013.
  8. ↑ "Olympic Club Sports". Retrieved 27 March 2013.
  9. ↑ "SFIAC History". Retrieved 27 March 2013.
  10. ↑ "SF Vikings SC History". Retrieved 27 March 2013.
  11. ↑ "Remaining Eligible - NCAA". Retrieved 11 March 2013.
  12. ↑ "FIFA Laws of the Game". Retrieved 11 March 2013.
  13. ↑ "SFSFL Teams". Retrieved 5 April 2013.
  14. ↑ "USSF - Hall of Fame - History". Retrieved 11 March 2013.
  15. ↑ "US Soccer Hall of Fame Membership". Retrieved 11 March 2013.
  16. ↑ "NCAAA Foundation - Lothan Osiander". Retrieved 11 March 2013.
  17. ↑ "SoccerStats.us US soccer statistics from 1866 to 2013". Retrieved 27 March 2013.

External links