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Charting history: Researcher finds that Utah's soccer past runs deeper than most would expect

Very interesting article. I'm a huge soccer fan and I hope this is the start or continuation of the soccer heritage that Utah has. Wonderful history lesson. GO RSL!

..it seems Soccer was destined to be here, and only a World War could postpone the momentum.

Today's soccer stars will be tomorrows heroes. I love the growing trend that we have here.

A wonderful article. Thank you Deseret News for the growing soccer coverage.

Utah has no soccer heritage. Those guys were play soccer because they were bored, they didn't have tv and internet back then.

What about the Freezz or the Blitzz? I loved going to the Freezz games. I remember going to their inaugural season's first match, and the turn out was amazing.

Now, we have the MLS and soon to have a real stadium. It makes me giddy just thinking about it.

Go RSL!

As the son of Hermann Neumann mentioned in the article, I am proud of my dad's efforts to promote soccer. He was definitely a soccer zealot and displayed passion for the game. I just know that he would be elated with what soccer has become here in Utah. Unfortunately, he didn't live long enough to see for himself how soccer has progressed on all levels. Good job on filling us in on soccer's history here in Utah!

Marv Neumann

How about you start covering the games of the Utah Soccer Association in your newspaper. You do iy for high school soccer games. The Premiership has teams that are good enough to play professional soccer. You should go see a game between Olympique Montreux FC. against Diablos FC. Amazing skills and very exciting. If you write on the games sometimes, perhaps some of the players can get discovered by the pros.

See you at the games!

Most of OM is kids that are either from around the state that attend top colleges or has been pros. Prime example is Murphy and Justin Braun.

Great article. I would love to learn more about Utah's soccer history - too bad this article was limited to such a small space here. As always, thanks for the wonderful soccer coverage. Not only do we have a #1 ranked team, but we probably have the best press coverage in MLS.

Any talk of soccer history in Utah needs to include the name Arthur Zander. He lived on 900 east across from the soccer field at Fairmont Park and had a shoe store in his basement. It was one of the few places to buy Adidas. He had tons of pictures of different teams in Utah over the years. Early adult club teams included Alemania, Berlin, Incas, Aztecs, etc. All teams with different nationalities playing each ohter. It was always a mini-world cup. Games were heated and the passion was present. Arthur Zander RIP, was a legend of soccer in Utah!

The Utah Soccer Association's DAYNES CUP is one of the oldest in the USA .It was first played in 1907.

While deservingly so Herman and Arthur where big in Utah soccer . But Rudy , so was the club Hollandia and people such as Leen & Kees Barendrecht ,plus Leen Hennekes & Freddie Doesburg where some of the best in the history of Utah.

As the researcher of Utah soccer history described in this piece, I've appreciated all the comments. Please rest assured that in the complete history mentioned in the article, Arthur Zander, Hollandia, and many other clubs and people are included. I'd be glad to receive email or calls from anyone who has more information about Utah soccer history. You can contact me at the Special Collections Department, J. Willard Marriott Library, University of Utah. Thanks!

i want thatplayingwithe teame

My soccer career started a secound time thanks to Billy Forrest, at Murray High School 1972-73. Then went on to play with S.C. United thru 1974. The Fall of 1973 we played in the chanmpionship game for the Daynes Cup. and we won. it was a great honor to play and win.I have long wondered what happened to the Cup. I will always be thankful to those who guided me alone the way. Thanks Billy you will be missed but remembered..I'll try and find a picture of the cup and shate it.