In 1928 the Giants found themselves at the center of the "Soccer War", a power struggle between the ASL and the US Football Association. The ASL called for their members to boycott the USFA-organized National Challenge Cup. However the Giants, together with Bethlehem Steel and Newark Skeeters, were one of three teams that defied the ASL and entered anyway. This trio of clubs subsequently left the ASL to join the new USFA-organized Eastern Soccer League. Maurice Vanderweghe, while continuing to own the Giants franchise, also set up the New York Hakoah franchise for the ESL. The core of this new team was made up from former SC Hakoah Wien players then playing for the Giants. 1929 also saw the Giants continue to play touring European teams. In March 1929 they played Sabaria of Budapest in a two-game series, losing 6–4 and winning 21. Then on May 19 they drew 1–1 with Preston North End.