The "New York" team comprised ex-players from the recently defunct
Philadelphia Phillies and
Philadelphia Athletics of the
first National Football League – eight Phillies and four Athletics. It included
Charlie Gelbert,
Blondy Wallace,
Walter E. Bachman and
Ben Roller. However, the team also featured some recognizable players from New York such as
Curly Davidson. By putting together a team of all-stars calling them the "New York" team, O'Rourke expected to give his New York audience the pleasure of watching the "home team" win. The tournament was scheduled to last three nights starting on December 29 and ending on New Year's Eve. O'Rourke scheduled his tournament by considering the expected strengths of the teams. On opening night, he scheduled the "New York" team against Syracuse. By defeating Syracuse, the "New York" team, O'Rouke hoped, would then defeat the team that would probably bring the fewest fans into the Garden. Then on the second night, the Knickerbockers and Warlow would play to determine which team would be beaten by the "New York" team in the series' third game. O'Rourke anticipated this game as having the best attendance of the tourney. Finally in the fourth game, by holding out the Orange Athletic Club until the end, he predicted a New York versus New Jersey match-up in which New Jersey would lose a close game to one of the three New York teams. ==Opening game vs. Syracuse==