History

History: A Link to the Past

Discover a one-of-a-kind event that lets you see a century into the past!

The Lehigh Valley SoccerFest and Viewing Party will take place at SteelStacks campus, part of a revitalized 1,800-acre industrial brownfield that was once the home of Bethlehem Steel. Did you know it was also home to one of the most successful and decorated soccer teams in U.S. history?

With the backing of the Bethlehem Steel company, the Bethlehem Steel Football Club was arguably the most successful and decorated team in US soccer history. In 1914, the team went professional as Bethlehem FC. In 1919, Bethlehem Steel FC became the first American professional team to play in Europe when they toured Sweden.

Below is a video about the history of Bethlehem Steel Football Club created by Major League Soccer.

Select Bethlehem Steel FC Highlights:

  • Six-time American Cup Winner - 1914, 1916, 1917, 1918, 1919 and 1924.
  • Five-time National Cup Winner (now the U.S. Open Cup) - 1915, 1916, 1918, 1919 and 1926.
  • Forward Archie Stark, who played for the team from 1924-‘30, scored 67 goals during his inaugural season, a record that stood until 2012, when Argentina’s Lionel Messi netted 73 goals for FC Barcelona.
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