Perez's Last Goals

On This Day in 1994, the Veteran Scored His Last International Goals in a Draw with Bolivia

As the 1994 World Cup approached, the United States Men's National Team continued its preparations with a series of friendly matches against international competition. Coach Bora Milutinovic evaluated his squad ahead of final roster decisions, and a March 26 clash with Bolivia at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas provided another opportunity for players to stake their claim for spots on the World Cup roster.

Among those making the strongest case was midfielder Hugo Perez, a veteran on a developing American squad. The El Salvador native had been a bridge between generations of American soccer, providing leadership during the late 1980s when the team was primarily composed of college-age players. A technical midfielder with scoring ability, Perez had overcome missing the 1990 World Cup due to injury - torn ligaments suffered while playing for French Second Division club Red Star Paris - and had rebounded to win U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year honors in 1991.

Before 26,835 spectators—the largest soccer crowd in Dallas then—the Americans found themselves trailing early. In the 12th minute, Bolivia's Julio Baldivieso converted a perfectly placed free kick from 25 yards out. U.S. goalkeeper Tony Meola could only get a hand to the shot but couldn't keep it out.

Perez, who entered the match second on the all-time U.S. scoring list, equalized in the 31st minute. After Cobi Jones was fouled by Luis Cristaldo in the penalty area, Perez stepped up to convert the spot kick, drawing the Americans level before halftime.

The El Salvador-born midfielder gave the U.S. the lead just three minutes after the restart. The goal came when Jones played a pass to Chris Henderson on the right side, who beat a defender and drew out Bolivian goalkeeper Carlos Trucco before centering the ball to an unmarked Perez. The midfielder made no mistake from eight yards out.

"It was candy," Perez said afterward of his simple finish, which gave the Americans a 2-1 advantage.

The U.S. lead held until the 76th minute when their defense faltered. Luis Cristaldo found space in the left corner and crossed to Ramiro Castillo at the near post, who one-touched the ball past Meola to level the score at 2-2.

The Americans nearly snatched victory in the dying moments. Substitute a Claudio Reyna (pictured above) header struck the crossbar and bounced down on the goal line before being cleared away by a Bolivian defender as time expired.

"The important thing is we didn't lose," Perez said after the match. "This is not the World Cup, and I'm happy that we came out without a loss."

Despite the draw - the third consecutive tie against Bolivia in eight months - Perez's performance solidified his position for the upcoming World Cup. When the tournament arrived that summer, Perez made the final roster, earning a spot in the squad that advanced to the knockout stage on home soil. His World Cup experience culminated in an appearance in the Round of 16 match against eventual champion Brazil on July 4, 1994.

By the time he retired in 1996 with Salvadoran club FAS, Perez had accumulated 73 international caps and scored 13 goals for the United States, with this brace being his final two at the international level. His contributions to American soccer would later be recognized with his induction into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2008.