On This Day in 1995, a Detective Recognized the Striker After Scoring the Winner over Benfica
Roy Lassiter's path to scoring the winning goal against Benfica began with a broken leg and an unexpected phone call. In January 1992, after making his U.S. Men's National Team debut, playing 29 minutes against the Commonwealth of Independent States, he was involved in a training ground collision with roommate Bruce Murray, which left him with a broken ankle. During his two-month recovery, Lassiter received a mysterious call that would change his career trajectory.
"I have no idea how they got my name," Lassiter recalled later of Costa Rican club Carmen's interest. "They paid for my trip down there, and I signed a contract." The move proved fortuitous - after scoring seven goals from the wing in the 1993-94 season, he was purchased by Alajuela, one of Costa Rica's traditional powers. There, he flourished as a center forward, becoming the league's second-leading scorer with 17 goals in 43 appearances and earning star status. "They treated me like a king when I arrived," Lassiter said. "Now they treat me even better."
His scoring prowess in Costa Rica caught the attention of now-permanent U.S. head coach Steve Sampson, who gave the striker another chance at the 1995 Parmalat Cup. The 26-year-old made the most of his opportunity at Giants Stadium on August 6, dramatically heading home the winning goal in the 68th minute to secure a 2-1 victory over Portuguese powerhouse Benfica. After Jeff Agoos broke free on the left wing and delivered a chest-high cross, Lassiter, true to his poacher's instincts, darted to the six-yard box and deftly redirected the ball just inside the right post.
"I'm an opportunist, and I took advantage of the opportunity," Lassiter said after the match. "If I don't do it now, I may never have the chance to do it again. Scoring the goal makes me feel like I'm in now."
The goal gave the Americans third place in the exhibition tournament, with Parma claiming the title after a 3-1 win over Boca Juniors in the final. The match had been evenly contested until Benfica equalized in the 63rd minute through Ilian Iliev's left-footed strike, setting the stage for Lassiter's heroics.
But Lassiter's moment of triumph would have unexpected consequences. When news of his winning goal reached Raleigh, North Carolina, a police detective recognized the name and remembered unsolved felony charges from 1992, the year Lassiter graduated from NC State. Within days of his goal-scoring headlines, Lassiter was arrested on three-year-old charges of breaking and entering and forgery.
The episode starkly contrasted Lassiter's journey from All-ACC to professional success in Costa Rica. Despite the legal troubles that followed his moment of glory, Lassiter continued his soccer career, signing with the newly formed Major League Soccer and eventually joining the Tampa Bay Mutiny for their inaugural 1996 season. There, he was the top goalscorer with 27 goals—a record that stood for over 20 years.
Lassiter's soccer journey began impressively in Raleigh, where he set a state record with 47 goals and led his team to a state championship in high school. He then shone at Lees-McRae College, where he won a Division III National Championship in 1988, before transferring to NC State. In Costa Rica, he had found both refuge and success, earning $4,000 monthly, plus housing, from Alajuela - well above the country's average monthly soccer salary of $500. His goal against Benfica, while a testament to his on-field abilities, ultimately forced him to confront his past, leading to a 30-day jail sentence, community service, and fines before he could truly move forward with his promising career.