also won the Times Cup, the league cup of the SNESL, defeating J&P Coats 3–0 in the final. Rivalry with Bethlehem Steel During the late 1910s a strong inter-regional rivalry developed between Rovers and Bethlehem Steel. The teams played against each other in three consecutive National Challenge Cup finals. Rovers were defeated in both the 1916 and the 1918 finals but won the competition in 1917. The rivalry was intensified by the fact that, at the time, Rovers featured mainly United States-born players while Steel relied heavily on players imported from both the Scottish Football League and the English Football League. In addition neither club was immune from fan violence. The 1916 final, hosted by J&P Coats in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, attracted a crowd of 10,000, almost all backing Rovers. With the score 0–0 after 80 minutes, Steel were awarded a penalty, triggering protests from both Rovers players and fans alike. Steel subsequently converted the penalty, which was enough to win the trophy. However, with seconds remaining Rovers were denied a penalty, sparking both a riot and a pitch invasion. The 1917 final saw Steel and Rovers return to Pawtucket to play in front of a crowd of 5,000. Rovers avenged their 1916 defeat with a goal scored in the first minute giving them a hard fought 1–0 win. The 1918 final saw the two teams return to Pawtucket for a third time, this time playing out a 2–2 extra-time draw in front of 10,000. However Rovers lost the replay 3–0 in Harrison, New Jersey. The star of the Rovers team during this era was Thomas Swords, who in 1916 captained the United States in their first official international. Other notable players included John Sullivan, who scored in both the 1917 and 1918 finals, and Chick Albin. Year-by-year Honors American Cup: Winners (2): 1888, 1889 National Challenge Cup Winners (1). 1917 Runners Up (2): 1916, 1918 Times Cup Winners (1): 1917 New England League Winners (1): 1909 Southern New England Soccer League Runners Up (2): 1916–17, 1920–21 References Defunct soccer clubs in Massachusetts Rovers Southern New England Soccer League teams American Soccer League (1933–1983) teams 1884 establishments in Massachusetts 1921 disestablishments in Massachusetts Association football clubs established in 1884 Association football clubs disestablished in 1921 U.S. Open Cup winners