The 1897 American Cup was the thirteenth edition of the soccer tournament organized by the American Football Association. The Philadelphia Manz won this edition defeating defending champions Paterson True Blues after four attempts to complete the final. This committee for this season was H. Goldberg as president, W. Turner as vice president, William Robertson as Secretary, and Hugh Wilkie as Treasurer. The Amateur Athlete was made the official publication of the association. The 'Victor ball' by the Overman Wheel Company was chosen as the official football for use in cup games. The association originally intended to have a league series and a cup tournament. They later dropped the league idea in favor of having each team play home and away games for the cup ties. If each team won a game, then the managers of each contesting team would flip a coin to see where the third game would take place. Players had to be registered 14 days before a game to be eligible to play. Participants First round The first round draw took place at the AFA meeting in Ball's Union Hall at East Newark, New Jersey on October 10, 1896. The Scottish Americans drew the bye. The first round to be finished before Nov. 21. True Blues: GK S.Simpson, FB W.Alexander, Binks, HB R.Hall, S.Findlay, J.Upton, FW L.Dodson, J.Oldfield, Robert Spencer, Harry Lauder, Tommie Turner. Taftville: G J.Brown, FB Gamble, Catterall, HB Baldwin, Wood, Ferguson, RW Smith, Montgomery, LW Nelson, Muttlewain, C W.Brown. True Blues: GK S.Simpson, FB W.Alexander, Turner, HB R.Hall, S.Findlay, J.Upton, FW L.Dodson, J.Oldfield, Robert Spencer, Harry Lauder, Tommie Turner. Caledonians: GK Glynn, RFB Allan, LFB W.Mortimer, RHB R.Swithemby, CHB Joules, LHB Burns, RW Harty, Ross, C H.Singleton, LW Holden, Furfey. Manz: GK Beaumont, RFB Wason, LFB Brown, RHB Cooper, CHB Gold, LHB Richmond, RW Carmichael, McCartney, C Steel, LW Kerr, Smith. Caledonians forfeited the second match. Crescents: GK J.Lees, FB R.Barr, H.McCrowe, HB White, Philibin, Vernon, RW R.Bloor, J.Band, C P.McGee, LW E.Grewcock, J.Flannery. Athletics: GK Arthur Hayes, FB William Flynn, Alfred Cutler, HB John McKance, Robert Taylor, Harry Singleton, FW William Salter, C.McGee, J.Nagle, David Douglas, William Marshall. Crescents: GK J.Lees, FB R.Barr, H.McCrow, HB White, Philibin, Findley, RW R.Bloor, J.Band, C P.McGee, LW E.Grewcock, J.Flannery. Athletics: GK Arthur Hayes, FB William Flynn, Robert Taylor, HB John McKance, Alfred Cutler, Harry Singleton, FW William Salter, C.McGee, J.Nagle, Sampson, William Marshall. Crescents: GK J.Lees,