May 9 (1920)

On a banner day for U.S. soccer, the Ben Millers defeat Fore River of Quincy, Mass., 2-1 in the National Challenge Cup final at High School Field, Grand and Laclede avenues. The Cup title is the first national soccer championship won by a St. Louis team. It is also the first year that St. Louis teams have entered the Cup competition. More importantly for American soccer, the Ben Millers (named for their sponsor, the Ben Miller Hat Co.) are the first team of native-born players to win the National Challenge Cup (today’s Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup), first awarded in 1914. A crowd estimated anywhere from 10,000-12,000 sees Hap Marre break through for the home side in the 27th minute on an assist by Rube Potee. John Kershaw evens the score 10 minutes later. The tense battle rages deep into the second half. In the 67th minute, Jimmy Dunn cements his place in St. Louis soccer history. Al McHenry passes to Marre in front of the goal. Right fullback William Parkinson moves in quickly to close down Marre. But Marre sees Dunn centered in front of the goal, feeds him the ball, and Dunn one-times it into the net. The goal stands up, Dunn is on his way to the U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame, and the Ben Millers collect the first of 90 national soccer championships that will be won by St. Louis teams.