On This Day in 1997, a Comeback Goal Against Costa Rica Propels Americans Toward France '98
For 10 grueling months, Tab Ramos had watched from the sidelines as his teammates struggled without him. The torn knee ligament suffered against Trinidad and Tobago the previous November had not only ended his season—it had threatened to derail American soccer's World Cup dreams. Now, as he prepared to return to the national team for the first time since that devastating injury, Ramos carried more than just personal redemption on his surgically repaired knee. He carried the hopes of a program that had lost its creative spark in his absence.
"I do breathe a sigh of relief having Tab back," coach Steve Sampson admitted, and the sentiment resonated throughout American soccer circles.
Entering the crucial World Cup qualifier against Costa Rica at Portland's Civic Stadium, the Americans sat tied for third place in the six-team CONCACAF qualifying group with a pedestrian 1-1-3 record, level with El Salvador. Only the top three teams would advance to France '98, and Costa Rica—despite their own struggles—had already beaten the United States 3-2 in San José back in March. Even worse, captain John Harkes was suspended due to accumulated yellow cards.
The stakes were clear: a victory would make the Americans prohibitive favorites to qualify, while a defeat could throw the entire race wide open through November's final matches. Coach Steve Sampson understood the mathematics perfectly. "Although it's not yet life and death for us, we have to treat it as such," he said.
Portland had transformed itself into a soccer carnival by September 7. Morrison Street was closed for a street fair that began attracting fans by mid-morning, with thousands donning white shirts at Nike's request while Sam's Army contingent provided splashes of red throughout the crowd. The 27,396 sellout represented more than just numbers—it was the most significant soccer gathering at the venue since Pelé's farewell appearance in the 1977 Soccer Bowl.
The atmosphere inside Civic Stadium was electric from the opening whistle, but the early action was defined more by slipping than scoring. The temporary grass field, still slick with morning dew, sent players tumbling with alarming frequency. Roy Lassiter fell on his first touch, and the Americans spent the first half adjusting to the treacherous conditions while dominating possession without creating clear chances. Sampson had made one startling tactical decision that reverberated through the pregame storylines: benching Lalas for the first time in four years, a move made by the coach's choice rather than due to injury. The iconic defender, around whom much of U.S. Soccer's marketing had been built, was replaced by Thomas Dooley, whose ability to move forward from the back line better suited Sampson's game plan.
The Americans pressed forward throughout the match but repeatedly found themselves stymied by Costa Rica's defensive discipline. Despite the crowd's thunderous support and the team's territorial advantage, the game appeared destined for a deflating scoreless draw—precisely the result that would maintain the status quo in qualifying while doing nothing to inspire confidence. With 20 minutes remaining, Sampson made the substitutions that would alter the course of the game. Roy Wegerle and Lassiter, who had created chances without finishing them, made way for fresh legs: Cobi Jones and Preki Radosavljevic.
Preki, whose troubled relationship with Sampson had kept him out of recent squads, seized his opportunity with devastating effectiveness. In the 78th minute, he took on a Costa Rican defender one-on-one near the right side of the penalty area, juked twice to create space, then delivered a perfect centering pass toward Marcelo Balboa at the top of the box. Rather than shoot, Balboa made the crucial decision to lay the ball back to Ramos, who had timed his run perfectly to arrive unmarked about 22 yards from goal. The pass landed perfectly on Ramos's right foot, and the veteran midfielder unleashed a rocket that blazed past goalkeeper Erick Lonnis into the right corner of the net.
"I had about a third of the net open to shoot at, and fortunately I hit it," Ramos said with characteristic understatement. The release was immediate and overwhelming. Ramos, usually reserved in celebration, became "a maniac," sprinting toward the corner flag as fireworks exploded and confetti showered down from the stands. Sampson, typically composed on the sideline, leaped to his feet, waving a white towel to further incite the delirious crowd. The goal represented far more than three qualifying points. For Ramos, it marked the completion of a comeback that had begun with doubts about whether he would play again. The fractured skull suffered against Brazil in '94 had been one thing; the knee injury that kept him sidelined for the better part of a year was another entirely.
"I don't remember ever feeling happier after a goal," Ramos said afterward. "I haven't been in a game with this kind of atmosphere in a long time, and I wanted to win so badly." For the national team, the victory moved them into second place in the qualifying table and transformed their World Cup prospects from uncertain to nearly assured. With Mexico leading and only four matches remaining—three of them at home—the path to France had become clear.
Portland's passionate support had created an atmosphere that rivaled anything the Americans had experienced, validating the strategy of taking matches to soccer-hungry markets rather than traditional metropolitan areas. More fundamentally, the match demonstrated the evolution of American soccer. The team that had been grateful simply to compete respectably in 1994 now carried expectations of not just qualifying but advancing deep into the tournament. Ramos's goal had not only saved their World Cup dreams, but it had affirmed their transformation from underdogs to contenders. The midfielder who had provided the assist for the most famous goal in American soccer history—Earnie Stewart's winner against Colombia in '94—added another defining moment to his legacy.