Waukesha could be birthplace of U.S soccer, historians say

WAUKESHA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Waukesha has a strong tie to U.S soccer history, as historians say the first recorded soccer match happened at Saratoga Park.

"Oct. 11, 1866, which was 156 years ago, the first documented game on U.S soil was right here at Saratoga Park," said Derek Marie, head coach for the Carroll University men's soccer team.

Marie said the match was between a Carroll University student and a local group of Waukesha boys.

Roger Allaway, historian for the National Soccer Hall of Fame, has recognized the match as the first soccer game in the country.

A newspaper clip from the Waukesha Freeman in 1866 explains the match, saying the Carroll boys won with five points while the local team made two.

Marie said this fun Waukesha fact carries more weight as the U.S team faced Iran in the World Cup Tuesday afternoon.

He said it also adds to the emerging soccer hub legacy in Southeast Wisconsin as plans rolled out earlier this year of a new soccer stadium and team coming to Milwaukee.