US Barely Beat Bermuda

On This Day in 1990, a Chris Sullivan Bicycle Kick was the Difference in This Friendly Win

With the 1990 World Cup in Italy looming just months away, the U.S. national team arrived in Bermuda seeking to shake off the disappointment of their Marlboro Cup showing in Miami. Bob Gansler's squad, still stinging from a 2-0 defeat to Costa Rica and a penalty shootout loss to Colombia, needed to build momentum and confidence as they prepared for their first World Cup appearance in 40 years.

"We are looking at this game as another step toward Italy," Gansler said before the match. "We were all disappointed with the results last week. But now we have a chance to put things right. Nobody is assured a place on this squad, and I will be looking closely at how well the players perform."

In front of 3,500 spectators at the still-under-construction national stadium in Hamilton, the February 13 match nearly took an unfortunate turn for the Americans late in the first half. Defenders Marcelo Balboa and Mike Windischmann combined to bring down Bermuda's Corey Hill in the penalty area, but Ricky Hill's spot kick sailed wide right, keeping the match scoreless.

The breakthrough finally came eight minutes into the second half through Chris Sullivan, who hadn't appeared for the national team since June 1988. The 24-year-old from Redwood City, California, who plies his trade with Raba Eto in Hungary, produced a moment of brilliance that belied his recent struggles. Taking a pass from Eric Wynalda, Sullivan executed a perfect bicycle kick from 10 yards out that beat two defenders and goalkeeper Ty Williams, finding the upper right corner.

"To score a goal like that was a superb feeling," Sullivan said afterward. I saw the cross from Eric going behind me, so I had to adjust. But I knew when I hit it, it was going in because I had really good contact. Despite scoring, I know I have a lot of work to do to get a regular place on the team."

Gansler, while pleased with the result, remained measured in his assessment. "I am pleased with the result because it is still preseason for us," he said. "We had good bits and pieces from everybody although there were some shadow performances from some of our players. It was a nice effort from Sullivan. He had certainly been struggling before that. I think he was almost trying too hard, and things weren't coming off for him. But that finish showed a lot of invention, and it proves he has the basic quality to be an asset to our team."

The 1-0 victory marked the Americans' first win since their historic World Cup qualification triumph over Trinidad and Tobago in November. The team would remain in Bermuda for a Friday night friendly against league champion Pembroke Hamilton, continuing their preparation for the monumental challenge that awaited them in Italy. A 3-1 defeat at the hands of the Soviet Union 11 days later further proved the gap between the Americans and the rest of the soccer world.