On This Day in 1996, Americans Navigate Coliseum Cauldron to Secure a Pre-Qualifying Victory
As summer 1996 came to an end, the euphoria of hosting the 1994 World Cup had given way to the practical realities of building sustainable momentum. Major League Soccer had launched just months earlier to surprising crowds, averaging twice the initial projections; yet, attendance was beginning to dip below 20,000 for the first time. The women's Olympic triumph in Atlanta had provided a golden moment, but the men's program faced the unglamorous task of proving itself once again on the road to France '98.
For U.S. coach Steve Sampson, the challenge was clear: prepare his squad for the hostile environments they would inevitably face in World Cup qualifying, which was set to begin on November 3 against Guatemala. Rather than seek out a friendly venue filled with American supporters, Sampson made an unconventional choice—he brought his team to Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum to face El Salvador on a Friday night, knowing full well that the city's substantial Salvadoran community would create precisely the kind of atmosphere his players needed to experience.
"We have to prepare for World Cup qualifying games in Costa Rica and in Guatemala, so this match will help us get ready for the very difficult environment and atmosphere that will exist down there," Sampson explained. "I don't expect to see many of our fans, but in this case, I think that's all right."
The strategic thinking extended beyond mere crowd preparation. With qualifying looming and concerns about depth throughout the roster, Sampson used the August 30 friendly to evaluate several newcomers who could provide crucial reinforcement. Olympic veterans Eddie Pope, Frankie Hejduk, and Miles Joseph were joined by MLS standouts Jason Kreis from Dallas and the most intriguing addition of all—David Wagner, a 24-year-old forward plying his trade for Schalke in Germany's Bundesliga.
Wagner's path to the national team had been serendipitous. A simple conversation between teammates Thomas Dooley and Wagner in Germany had revealed the young striker's American heritage through his father. Within weeks, Wagner had secured his U.S. passport—literally receiving it just five days before the match—and found himself on a plane to Los Angeles, despite Sampson having never seen him play.
"I've never seen him play, but I've heard a lot of good things," Sampson admitted. "Anyone who has played at that level in Germany certainly could help us."
When the whistle blew at 11 PM on that Friday night, 18,661 predominantly blue-and-white clad El Salvador supporters created exactly the hostile environment Sampson had envisioned. Fireworks exploded, flags waved furiously, and the crowd's energy crackled through the Coliseum air. For the American players, it was a taste of what awaited them in Central America.
But rather than wilt under the pressure, the Americans embraced it. The opening goal came with stunning swiftness—just a few minutes in, Wagner's immediate impact became apparent. The German-based forward cleverly screened out defender Leonel Batres, allowing Joe-Max Moore to break free and fire past goalkeeper Alvaro Sanchez into the left corner of the net. It was Moore's 14th international goal, moving the former UCLA standout into a tie for fourth place on the all-time U.S. scoring list.
The early strike silenced the crowd temporarily, but El Salvador refused to fold. For nearly an hour, they pressed for an equalizer while the Americans worked to extend their advantage. The breakthrough finally came in the 59th minute when defender Leonel Batres and Ronald Cerritos combined cleverly. Though Jeff Agoos initially blocked Cerritos' attempt, Luis Oscar Lazo pounced on the rebound and blasted it into the upper-right corner, leaving Brad Friedel helpless.
The Coliseum erupted in a cacophony of celebration, but the American response was immediate and devastating. Within two minutes, John Harkes found Cobi Jones wide on the right flank. Jones delivered a precise cross from the end line that Brian McBride cleverly headed across goal to an unmarked Eric Wynalda at the far post. For the U.S. all-time leading scorer, it was a simple tap-in for his record-extending 25th international goal. Wynalda's celebration became the evening's defining image. The veteran forward jogged to the sideline and cupped his ear toward the crowd, waiting for cheers that would never come. Instead, debris rained down from the furious Salvadoran supporters, creating a scene that perfectly captured the atmosphere Sampson had sought to recreate.
The 3-1 victory provided exactly what Sampson had hoped for: a test under pressure and promising performances from key players. Wagner's immediate integration suggested the Bundesliga experience could translate seamlessly to international soccer. Moore's brace demonstrated his continued evolution as a reliable goalscorer. Most importantly, the team had navigated a genuinely hostile environment without losing composure.
As the Americans prepared to leave Los Angeles, their next challenge was already taking shape. The November 3 El Salvador opener against Guatemala at RFK Stadium would mark the beginning of a grueling semifinal round that included Costa Rica and Trinidad and Tobago, with only the top two advancing to the final hexagonal round. Meanwhile, will open their own qualifying campaign on September 8 against Cuba.
"This is their national team too," Sampson had said of the Hispanic community in Los Angeles. While Salvadoran-Americans understandably supported their ancestral home that Friday night, the coach's vision extended beyond one match. Building American soccer meant embracing the country's diversity while proving the national team could compete anywhere, against anyone. In the Coliseum cauldron, surrounded by hostile chants and flying debris, that process had taken another significant step forward.