Tom Florie

Thomas Florie (September 6, 1897 – April 26, 1966) was an American soccer forward. He played in both the first and second iterations of the American Soccer League, winning two National Challenge Cup titles. Florie was also a member of the United States men's national soccer team and represented the U.S. at the 1930 and 1934 FIFA World Cup tournaments. He was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 1986.

Early career

Born in New Jersey to Italian immigrant parents, Florie played soccer as a youth, but his service in the Navy during World War I delayed the start of his professional career. In 1922, Florie signed with Harrison S.C. of the American Soccer League. However, he appeared in only three games before leaving Harrison to play for American A.A. in the West Hudson Amateur League.

American Soccer League

In 1924, Florie returned to the ASL when he signed with Providence F.C. He quickly established himself as one of the top wing forwards in the league. In 1928, he began the season with Providence, now known as the Gold Bugs, before moving to New Bedford Whalers II. He later joined Fall River F.C., but the team lasted only the spring season before merging with the New York Yankees to become New Bedford Whalers III. In 1932, the Whalers defeated Stix, Baer and Fuller F.C., 8–5 on aggregate in the National Challenge Cup final, with Florie scoring one goal in each of the two games. Despite this victory, the Whalers collapsed that fall, followed soon after by the entire league. Florie then moved to the Pawtucket Rangers, which had joined the second American Soccer League. In 1934, Florie was on the losing side in the National Challenge Cup when the Rangers fell to Stix, Baer and Fuller in three games. By that time, the Rangers had left the ASL. In 1941, Florie won his second National Challenge Cup when Pawtucket F.C. defeated Detroit Chrysler, 8–5 on aggregate, with Florie scoring one goal.

National team

Florie earned eight caps, scoring two goals, with the U.S. national team from 1925 to 1934. His first cap came in a 1–0 loss to Canada on June 27, 1925. His second cap came a year later in a 6–2 victory over Canada, during which Florie scored. Florie was not called up for the national team at the 1928 Olympics but was selected for the 1930 FIFA World Cup. He was named team captain as the U.S. reached the semifinals before falling to Argentina. His last appearance for the national team was in the first-round loss to Italy at the 1934 FIFA World Cup.

Florie was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 1986.

International goals

United States' goal tally first

#	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1.	November 6, 1926	Brooklyn, United States	{{ Template:Yesno	alias = Canada	flag alias = Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg	flag alias-1867-official = Flag of the United Kingdom.svg	flag alias-1868 = Canadian Red Ensign (1868–1921).svg	flag alias-1905 = Canadian Red Ensign (1905–1922).svg	flag alias-1907 = Canadian Red Ensign (1907–1921).png	flag alias-1921 = Canadian Red Ensign (1921–1957).svg	flag alias-1957 = Canadian Red Ensign (1957–1965).svg	flag alias-1964 = Flag of Canada (1964).svg	flag alias-1965 = Flag of Canada (WFB 2000).png	flag alias-2004 = Flag of Canada (WFB 2004).gif	flag alias-armed forces = Canadian Forces Flag.svg	link alias-armed forces = Canadian Armed Forces	flag alias-naval = Naval ensign of Canada.svg	link alias-naval = Royal Canadian Navy	flag alias-naval-1868 = Blue Ensign of Canada (1868–1921).svg	flag alias-naval-1911 = Naval ensign of the United Kingdom.svg	flag alias-naval-1921 = Canadian Blue Ensign (1921–1957).svg	flag alias-naval-1957 = Canadian Blue Ensign (1957–1965).svg	flag alias-naval-1965 = Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg	flag alias-coast guard = Coastguard Flag of Canada.svg	link alias-coast guard = Canadian Coast Guard	flag alias-air force = Royal Canadian Air Force ensign.svg	flag alias-air force-1924 = Ensign of the Royal Canadian Air Force.svg	link alias-air force = Royal Canadian Air Force	flag alias-army-1939 = Flag of the Canadian Army (1939–1944).svg	flag alias-army-1968 = Flag of the Canadian Army (1968–1998).svg	flag alias-army-1989 = Flag of the Canadian Army (1968–1998).svg	flag alias-army-2013 = Flag of the Canadian Army (2013–2016).svg	flag alias-army = Flag of the Canadian Army.svg	link alias-army = Canadian Army	flag alias-military = Flag of the Canadian Forces.svg	link alias-military = Canadian Armed Forces	flag alias-navy = Naval ensign of Canada.svg	link alias-navy = Royal Canadian Navy	link alias-football = Canada men's national soccer team	size =	name =	altlink = national football team	altvar = football	variant = 1921 }} ||align=center| 2–0 ||align=center| 6–2 || Friendly
2.	July 13, 1930	Estadio Gran Parque Central, Montevideo, Uruguay	{{ Template:Yesno	alias = Belgium	flag alias = Flag of Belgium (civil).svg	flag alias-government = Government Ensign of Belgium.svg	flag alias-state = Flag of Belgium.svg	flag alias-1830 = Flag of Belgium (1830).svg	flag alias-1858 = Royal ensign of Belgium (1858).svg	flag alias-army = Flag of the Belgian Land Component.svg	link alias-army = Belgian Land Component	flag alias-naval = Naval Ensign of Belgium.svg	link alias-naval = Belgian Navy	flag alias-air force = Air Force Ensign of Belgium.svg	link alias-air force = Belgian Air Component	flag alias-navy = Naval Ensign of Belgium.svg	link alias-navy = Belgian Navy	size =	name =	altlink = national football team	variant = }} ||align=center| 2–0 || align=center| 3–0 || 1930 FIFA World Cup

External links

• Profile at the National Soccer Hall of Fame
• 1930 World Cup team photo