April 23 (1933)

The National Challenge Cup (today’s U.S. Open Cup) returns to St. Louis after an 11-year absence, thanks to Stix, Baer & Fuller defeating the New York Americans, 2-1, at Starlight Park in the Bronx. Stix wins the best two-out-of-three series two games to none. Stix won the first game, 1-0, at Sportsman’s Park April 16. Stix wins game two with “a brilliant series of assaults,” according to United Press International. Chicago’s Willie McLean (pictured), who scored the only goal in game one, also plays a key role game two. He opens the scoring on a pass from St. Louis native Ollie Bohlman in the 15th minute, then “sent a perfect corner kick in front of the goal” that Werner “Scotty” Nilsen heads into the net with seven minutes to play. Nilsen’s goal breaks a 1-1 deadlock for St. Louis’s first Cup championship since Scullin Steel won in 1922. The UPI story notes that Stix “used the conventional short passing attack with occasional swings out to the wings, and the old ‘kick-and-rush’ type of game, formerly associated with mid-western soccer teams, was not in evidence.” The reason for the new tactics is the influx of Eastern stars to the Stix team following the 1931-32 season, which ended with Stix losing in the Challenge Cup finals to the New Bedford Whalers. Three Whalers — future U.S. Soccer Hall of Famers Nilsen, Billy Gonsalves and Alex McNab — start for Stix in game two against the New York Americans. The Cup championship is the first of three consecutive Cup titles for Stix and the team’s later sponsor, Central Brewers.