Wynalda's Last International Goal

On This Day in 2000, Forward Scored the Second in a 3-0 American Victory, His Final for the US

The aftermath of the 1998 World Cup left Eric Wynalda, the US Men's National Team's all-time leading scorer, in an unfamiliar position - watching from the sidelines. After being controversially left out of the starting lineup in the fateful Iran match in France, Wynalda's national team career seemed to be fading. A series of injuries and a reconstructive knee surgery kept him away from the national team until his return in late 1999, where he reminded everyone of his scoring touch with the lone American goal in a 2-1 defeat to Morocco.

"It's something that I've dealt with over the years," Wynalda had said about fighting to maintain his place. "Always, a new guy comes in and tries to take my job. That's the way it works. It's the nature of the business. But I'm still here."

At the beginning of 2000, US manager Bruce Arena held a "tryout" ahead of the January friendly with Iran to help blend the departing veterans with the incoming young talent. Wynalda made the roster but didn't play in the match. A week and a half later, Wynalda started and assisted Eddie Lewis' opener in the 2-1 road win over Chile.

Now, on a warm February 12 night at the Orange Bowl, Wynalda would write the final chapter of his remarkable international scoring career. The U.S. entered their Gold Cup opener against Haiti with Bruce Arena seeking to blend veterans like Wynalda with a new generation of talent. In front of 49,591 passionate fans, including nearly 25,000 supporting Haiti, the Americans looked to end a 16-year winless drought in South Florida.

The match opened with the Americans controlling possession, and in the 18th minute, Wynalda showed his playmaking ability rather than his scoring touch. After Claudio Reyna sent a driving cross-field ball, Wynalda expertly controlled with his left foot before delivering a perfectly weighted pass that Jovan Kirovski headed home for the opener.

The defining moment came in the 55th minute when Jean Roland Dartiguenave brought down Reyna in the box. Wynalda stepped up to take the penalty and, with the confidence that had produced so many crucial goals over his decade-long career, converted what would prove to be his 34th and final international goal - extending his American record and adding to his Gold Cup scoring mark of nine goals.

"It is a good victory for us," Wynalda said afterward. "We got the early goal, and we were able to play possession and control much of the game." His understated response belied the historical significance - after 104 appearances spanning back to 1990, this would be his last goal in a U.S. shirt.

Cobi Jones would add a late third goal from another Reyna assist, securing a 3-0 victory that marked the Americans' fifth consecutive shutout against Haiti. U.S. coach Bruce Arena, typically reserved in his post-match comments, noted, "We look to play well in each match, and if we do, we will advance in the Gold Cup. We had some good efforts by certain individuals."

After beating Peru 1-0 through another Jones goal, the tournament would ultimately end in disappointment for Wynalda and the U.S. team, as they fell to Colombia on penalties in the quarterfinals after a dramatic 2-2 draw. After playing the full 120 minutes, Wynalda stepped to the first penalty of the shootout and skied his final US kick over the bar. Afterward, he said he was tired. The Americans would lose 2-1 on penalties.

"It's just a total crapshoot," manager Bruce Arena said. "Both teams were tired. We didn't do well. Give their team credit. I don't lose any sleep over losing on penalty kicks."

But on this night in Miami, Wynalda had one final moment to add to his legacy as America's most prolific scorer of the 1990s (he was late voted player of the decade in a ceremony later that year), a reminder of the consistent excellence that had made him the national team's go-to striker for a decade.