Duo Based in Germany Named to Nations League Preliminary Roster
Promising dual-nationals Noahkai Banks and Damion Downs have been named to the U.S. men's national team's 60-man preliminary roster for the upcoming CONCACAF Nations League Finals. Both players have yet to receive a senior USMNT call-up.
The 18-year-old Banks has rapidly established himself as one of the most promising center backs in the American pipeline. After making his senior debut with Augsburg last month, the Hawaii-born defender started five consecutive Bundesliga matches before being an unused substitute in their previous two outings. His emergence has attracted significant interest, with reports indicating that Augsburg recently rejected a high seven-figure bid from a top-five Serie A club, considering Banks key to their future plans.
While Banks is eligible for Germany, appearing for the USMNT in the Nations League would require a three-year waiting period and a one-time switch to represent the European nation in the future. Banks will look to strengthen his case for selection this weekend when Augsburg, currently sitting 11th in the Bundesliga and riding a seven-game unbeaten streak, host fourth-placed Freiburg on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Damion Downs has enjoyed a breakout season with FC Koln in the 2. Bundesliga. The 20-year-old striker, who most recently represented Germany's U-20 side last fall, has kept Koln near the top of the table. Downs demonstrated his opportunistic finishing ability earlier this month, capitalizing on a Schalke defensive error to score the lone goal in a crucial 1-0 victory.
Downs will lead Koln's attack against Karlsruher this weekend. The Billy Goats are looking to rebound from a 1-1 draw against Fortuna Dusseldorf. Despite that recent setback, Koln remains favored to secure all three points as they pursue promotion back to the Bundesliga.
On This Day in 2001, Wolff Came off the Bench to Inspire an American Victory
On a cold evening in Columbus, Ohio, a term synonymous with the US Men’s National Team was born. Dos a Cero. Two-nil. Two-to-nothing. The regional darlings Mexico came to the midwest for the first time to play the United States and left with zero points.
The US was moving in a new direction after crashing out of World Cup ‘98. Manager Steve Sampson resigned, and Bruce Arena, formerly of DC United and University of Virginia fame, was put in charge. Arena’s tenure began with a third-place finish at the 1999 Confederations Cup over the summer of 1999 before a 2000 Gold Cup Quarterfinal exit in February. The Americans won the seventh and final US Cup in June one month before the semifinal round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying, where the US finished atop Group 3 despite earning just one point from the opening two matches. After splitting the friendly results after the January camp to open the year, the US had three weeks to prepare for Mexico to open the Hexagonal.
Arena spent time in England scouting Americans abroad in preparation for the camp one week before the match. The manager was expected to play more European-based players as they were in season. Players like Brad Freidel, Brian McBride and Claudio Reyna headlined a roster destined for Ohio. The selection of Columbus was strategic. The US Soccer Federation had been searching for the right place to play Mexico for years. This rivalry would draw big crowds in the past, but the mass majority were rooting for the Mexicans. Over the last decade, the US has hosted Mexico in California and Washington DC, which provided more pro-Mexico crowds. So the strategy was to think small and think cold. In November 2000, when the Hexagonal schedule was released, Columbus Crew General Manager Jim Smith hatched a plan to bring the match to Columbus, which had the only soccer-specific stadium at the time. The idea was to divvy tickets, starting with Crew season-ticket holders, next to in-state youth associations, and another percentage to U.S. Soccer and its supporters’ club. That allotted only 6k tickets to go on sale to the general public. This would ensure a pro-US crowd. The other factor is the weather, and Ohio on the last day in February seemed perfect until the weather report came out Tuesday night. The forecast for Wednesday, February 28, said temperatures near 40 with no rain or snow. That is barely winter.
ESPN broadcaster Jack Edwards sets the scene for the audience at home: “We come to you live from the most partisan arena the US has. A chilly reception greets the regional dynasty Mexico at the Crew Stadium in Colombus Ohio.” The pregame keyed on Reyna and McBride. Reyna, known then as Captain America, hasn’t played with the US since September, serving a two-match ban for the final two games of the semifinal round. McBride also missed the last two semifinal round matches but for medical reasons. While on loan from Columbus at Preston North End, McBride had a blood clot surgically removed from his arm, which consisted of having a rib removed. This sidelined the forward for three months. McBride had scored in all six World Cup qualifiers he had started in and scored the only goal in France in 1998. Those two also headlined the starting XI. Friedel started between the sticks. The backline consisted of David Regis, Jeff Agoos, Eddie Pope, and Tony Sanneh from left to right. Chris Armas would sit at home with Reyna in front of him. The tireless Earnie Stewart and Cobi Jones started on the flanks with Joe-Max Moore and McBride upfront.
On the other hand, Mexico lined up with five across the back with Alberto Macias, Claudio Suarez and Rafael Marquez as the three in the middle. The eccentric Jorge Campos manned the net. Mexican legend Luis Hernandez started up front and partnered with Francisco Palencia. Despite being the darlings of the region over the last 80 years, it has been rough against the Americans as of late. At the time, Mexico led the all-time series with a record 27-8-8. But since the calendar changed to the year 2000, the US has two wins in two matches, including a 3-0 win on Jun 11, 2000, to win the US Cup, though neither Mexican team was their full squad. This was the first match against the full Mexican squad since the 1-0 defeat in the Copa America Semifinal on Aug 1, 1999.
The match starts, and by the 8th minute, it takes a turn for the worse for the Americans. McBride won a header over Macias, and the forward's eye started to swell. Four minutes later, McBride ran to the sideline for treatment and “he took some nasty shot to his right eye. It literally looks like a boxing fight. His right eye is swollen shut. He just said he can’t see out of his right eye” sideline reporter Rob Stone said during the broadcast. Josh Wolff would replace McBride in the 15th minute, and the dynamic of the forward partnership would shift. McBride is known for his presence in the air and, at the time, was the fourth all-time in the men's team goalscoring list. Wolff, a 24-year-old speedy forward playing for the Chicago Fire, was relatively inexperienced at the senior national team level, and he wasn’t currently in season. It was considered a bold move with Ante Razov also available. Wolff was a key piece to the team that finished fourth at the 2000 Summer Olympics, scoring twice in the tournament. He had earned four caps up, scoring once, resulting in the 2-0 win over Mexico three months earlier.
“When you’re thrown in like that, you don’t have much time to think, and sometimes that’s a good thing. That’s how opportunity arrives sometimes, whether it’s injury or sometimes just late in a game. You’ve got to get up to speed quickly.” Wolff recalled in an interview with SI. Within four minutes on the field, he had a chance to score the opener after Moore dribbled to the end line and played a low inviting cross. His subsequent significant involvement saw Marquez dropping Wolff after a slide tackle in the middle of the field. Salvadorian referee Rodolfo Sibrian showed the defender the match's first yellow card. Wolff made sure the Mexican defenders knew he was tough too, fouling Salvador Carmona near the sideline, receiving a yellow card of his own in the 41’. Wolff was caught on camera telling Campos “That was bullshit” with a smirk on his face.
Things went from bad to worse for the United States when Claudio Reyna was replaced by Clint Mathis in the 43’. Reyna had pulled his groin after attempting a pass about 15 minutes prior and tried to play through it before being removed right before halftime. At the time, Mathis had just enjoyed a fantastic first season with the NY/NJ MetroStars, where he finished second in the league in scoring with 16 goals and 14 assists and was named to the MLS Best XI. On the international level, though, Mathis had only five caps and one goal in three years with the national team. Mathis actually declined knee surgery so he could play in this game. The half ended in a goalless stalemate. It was not a great half for the United States, which made two changes due to injury and lost two of the better-attacking players on the team.
The second half started fast, and Chris Armas put Marquez on the floor near midfield just 30 seconds in. The play restarts, and Marco Ruiz throws in a cross from the left wing. Agoos cleared the ball out to about 40 yards from goal. Moore won the second ball, and his one-timed pass fell to Mathis. As Mathis plays the ball over the top, Wolff springs loose and gets behind the high Mexican line. As Wolff is catching up to the ball, Campos charges out of his box to win the ball first. Wolff gets the first touch and, after spinning all the way around, took one more touch before slotting the ball in the empty net. The goal came one minute and eight seconds into the second half with both substitutes combining to give the United States the 1-0. "That play, Clint and I played together for several years and know each other’s strengths. That was two guys being on the same page at the moment, two guys being aware of who they are and what the situation is," Wolff said. The duo played together at the University of South Carolina in the mid-1990s.
With the one-goal lead, the Yanks settled in, and Moore had a chance four minutes later where it looked like the forward would have a free shot before Macias came back to make the tackle. In the 65’ after an Agoos corner was cleared, Jones hit a shot on the volley from over 20 yards out that was goal-bound before it hit Regis. On the replay, that shot was toward the corner and is 50/50 if Campos is making the save. Freidel made his biggest save of the night came four minutes later, denying Francisco Palencia from point-blank range. Over the next 10 minutes, the United States weathered a few Mexico attacks, including one halted by a Moore slide tackle in the box in the 76th minute. Freidel was called into action again in the 79’ minute, catching Palencia’s shot. Arena made his final change not long after, replacing offense for defense with Carlos Llamosa coming on for Moore. The formation switched to five in the back to close out this final 10 minutes and a little extra. In the 87th minute, Mathis and Wolff connected again when Mathis played over the top to the right corner. Wolff went down toward the corner flag before earning a throw-in.
Jones takes the throw-in, and Wolff is double-teamed on the right sideline. His man-of-the-match performance was solidified when he turned and beat the double-team, drove the ball on the end line, and played the ball back into the middle of the box before being crushed by Campos. The ball appears to be setting up for Mathis to strike before Stewart enters the picture and smashes the ball into the open net. The lead was doubled. Three points to start the Hexagonal was imminent. The broadcast just lets the sounds of the stadium fill the air for the next 20 seconds or so. A turning point in the team’s history. About two minutes later, a minor scuffle ensues, with Hernandez giving Sanneh a forearm to the face. After a few minutes to calm down, no yellow cards were issued. The match was called two and a half minutes into stoppage time before a Mexican corner kick. The United States beat the regional powerhouse. It happened in an American city with mostly pro-American support. It was only Mexico’s 10th loss in its qualifying history. The win marked the first time the US won three straight over Mexico and the first win in World Cup qualifying against Mexico since 1980. After the match, Wolff exchanged kits with Campos. Both played for the Chicago Fire in 1998.
Arena had nothing but praises for this early substitute — “Wolff was terrific. He really pulled it off at the end of the game. It’s not that we had to get him the game, but thought Josh’s speed would be a factor, and he was able to get behind the defense.” The United States would use this win as a springboard in its Hexagonal journey, rattling off wins over Honduras and Costa Rica for nine points from the opening three matches. After a draw with Jamaica and a win over Trinidad and Tobago, the US lost three straight, including the reverse fixture against Mexico. The team would secure its spot to South Korea/Japan with the 2-1 win over Jamaica on Oct 7, 2001, setting up a remarkable summer in 2002, where the name Dos a Cero would be cemented in the history books.
On This Day in 2000, the Forward Scored in His Fifth Straight Match as Everton Rolls Past West Ham
When Joe-Max Moore signed with Everton in November 1999, he called it a dream come true. "People talk about Serie A in Italy and the Spanish League," the American forward said at the time, "but for me, it doesn't get any better than the Premier League."
Four months later, Moore is proving he belongs among England's elite.
The Oklahoma native's rise at Goodison Park has been remarkable. After arriving as an unknown quantity in December, his initial assignment of the number 23 shirt seemed to reflect his distance from the starting lineup. Moore announced himself to English football on January 15 with a dramatic injury-time equalizer against Tottenham Hotspur after coming on as a late substitute. That goal opened the floodgates, sparking an extraordinary run that has seen the American score six goals in seven matches.
When he first arrived, skeptics dubbed him "Joe-Max Less," and broadcasters, stumped by his hyphenated first name, simply called him "Max Moore." But the 29-year-old American has silenced doubters with his clinical finishing and work rate, and during that scoring stretch from mid-January to late February, Moore's goals were crucial to Everton's success, helping the Toffees secure five wins and a draw in league play.
"Am I surprised by my success?" Moore reflected. "No, not really, to be honest. I am surprised that it has happened so quickly. The opportunities I've got to score, I've finished. It's resulted in me becoming a bigger part of the team."
That scintillating scoring stretch was capped in the emphatic 4-0 victory over West Ham at Upton Park on February 26, where Moore added Everton's fourth goal in the 71st minute. After Nicky Barmby had secured his hat-trick, Moore showed his predatory instincts again, coolly slotting home after being fed through by Barmby to complete the rout.
The goal highlighted Moore's remarkable adaptation to English football, particularly impressive given his modest 5'9", 150-pound frame. "The Premiership is tough and fast," Moore acknowledged. "The toughest thing is getting an opportunity to prove yourself, but I have my confidence."
For a player who turned down the chance to stay in MLS to chase his Premier League dreams, Moore's gamble on himself is paying off handsomely. His remarkable scoring run has endeared him to the Everton faithful and cemented his place in U.S. soccer history as one of the first American-born forwards to make a significant impact in one of Europe's top leagues.
He finished the rest of the 1999-2000 with eight goals in 17 matches across all competitions and Everton finished 13th. Moore scored a brace in the 4-2 win over Watford on April 1 but came off injured before halftime in the Leicester City match a week later and missed the rest of the campaign due to injury.
On This Day in 2024, the Midfielder Scored a Banger for the Insurance Goal in a Victory over Athletic Club
Johnny Cardoso's meteoric rise in Spanish football reached new heights last winter. The American midfielder scored his first La Liga goal in Real Betis' 3-1 victory over Athletic Club and was named La Liga's U23 Player of the Month.
The 22-year-old New Jersey native, who completed a €4-5 million move from Brazilian club Internacional in December 2023, has experienced a remarkably swift adaptation to Spanish football. Despite expectations of a lengthy adjustment period to European football, Cardoso had instead become an integral part of Manuel Pellegrini's squad since his debut against Barcelona on January 21
His crowning moment came on February 25 at the Benito Villamarín, where he sealed Betis' victory over Athletic Club with a thunderous strike. With his team already leading 2-1 against 10-man Athletic in the 67', Cardoso unleashed a powerful shot that put the game beyond reach, earning him his second Man of the Match award of the month. After a counter-attack was slowed, Nabil Fekir played it off to Cardoso, who was trailing the play. He unleashed a one-time effort that curled to the far post.
The goal was just one highlight in an extraordinary February for the U.S. international. After making his European debut in the Conference League against Dinamo Zagreb on February 15, Cardoso continued to impress in domestic competition. His stellar month included a crucial assist in a 2-0 victory over Cádiz on February 9, where he was named Man of the Match.
The midfielder's impressive form earned him recognition as La Liga's U23 Player of the Month, beating out prestigious competition from Real Madrid's Eduardo Camavinga, Barcelona's Lamine Yamal and others. The award caps a remarkable rise for a player who, just two months ago, was preparing to leave Brazilian football for his first European adventure. His consistent performances have also earned him a place in WhoScored's La Liga Team of the Month for February.
Betis, who identified Cardoso as a potential long-term replacement for Guido Rodriguez, has been pleasantly surprised by the American's rapid adaptation and impact. What started as a creative recruitment strategy targeting the Brazilian market has quickly transformed into one of La Liga's transfer coups of the season.
The recently revealed preliminary roster for the CONCACAF Nations League Final Four shows that the U.S. Men's National Team appears well-positioned for the upcoming semifinals. The 60-man provisional list includes many of the program's top performers and some emerging talents.
Key veterans Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, and Gio Reyna headline the roster, providing the experience and quality crucial in tournament play. The midfield looks particularly strong, with Tyler Adams, Brenden Aaronson, Yunus Musah, and Johnny Cardoso all named to the provisional squad—though Reyna is the only one mentioned above who has not seen consistent playing time this winter.
As mentioned earlier, Josh Sargent's impressive form makes his inclusion in the attack opportune. The striker position remains competitive, with Jesus Ferreira also in contention.
Several players demonstrated strong starts to MLS over the weekend. Jordan Morris made a statement with a brace in Seattle's 2-2 draw against Charlotte FC, while Djordje Mihailović scored twice in Colorado Rapids' 2-1 victory over LAFC in Concacaf Champions Cup play. Goalkeeper Zack Steffen also impressed, earning a clean sheet in Colorado's MLS season opener against St. Louis CITY.
Noahkai Banks and Damion Downs are among the few new names mentioned. At the same time, notable absences include injured players Folarin Balogun, Sergino Dest, Malik Tillman, and Ricardo Pepi, along with Haji Wright. Despite his recent playing time in the Eredivisie, PSV's Richy Ledezma's omission comes as a surprise.
The final 23-man roster will be announced by March 10, giving coach Mauricio Pochettino difficult decisions ahead of the semifinal against Panama on March 20 in Inglewood, California. The winner will face either Mexico or Canada in the final on March 23.
The USMNT qualified for the semifinals in November with a 4-2 aggregate victory over Trinidad and Tobago, and expectations are high that they will defend their Nations League title.
On This Day in 2024, the Fro'd Centerback Nodded Home His First League Goal for Crystal Palace in the Club's Victory over Burnley
It took some time for Chris Richards to establish himself in England following the €12-million move to Crystal Palace from Bayern Munich in the summer of 2022. A leg injury in October halted his progress at the club, and he wouldn't make his first start in the Premier League until January 2023.
After a productive summer of 2023, where Richards scored his first US goal in the 2-0 win over Canada in the Nations League Final, the American returned to the bench for a majority of the first half of the season. However, with a growing injury list and lacking depth at certain positions, Richards was handed his first start of the season at central defensive midfield in the 1-1 draw with West Ham on December 3. Over the next three months, Richards started in 12-straight matches before the February 24 match against Burnley.
His moment of glory came in the 68th minute at Selhurst Park, breaking a tense deadlock against 10-man Burnley. After Palace recycled possession from a cleared corner, Jordan Ayew delivered an inviting cross from the right wing. Unmarked at the back post, Richards showed excellent anticipation to arrive at the perfect moment, stooping low to power home a header that would open the floodgates for Palace's victory.
Richards later told the official Crystal Palace website about his goal-scoring technique with characteristic humor. When asked if he had considered volleying instead, he said, "Nah, nah, no—I grew the Fro out so I could head it. I was ready for it."
The goal proved pivotal in Oliver Glasner's first match as Palace manager, with the Eagles scoring twice more through Jordan Ayew and Jean-Philippe Mateta. Operating on the left side of Glasner's newly implemented back three, Richards put in a composed performance beyond just his goal, completing 53-of-57 passes while helping Palace control possession throughout the match.
The victory is especially significant for Palace, as it pushes them eight points clear of the relegation zone and marks their biggest home league win since April 2022. For Richards, it represents another significant step forward in his development. He had proven he could impact both ends of the pitch in England's top flight. His first goal for the club couldn't have come at a better time, helping to usher in the Glasner era with a memorable victory.
As Crystal Palace made a strong push at the end of the season, Richards was right in the mix, starting and playing every minute in the last six Premier League matches. The Eagles earned 16 out of 18 points, finishing in 10th place—the club's joint-highest finish since promotion in 2013.
Striker Notched Another Brace in Norwich's Win over Stoke
Josh Sargent continued his remarkable scoring form with a brilliant double as Norwich City secured a crucial 4-2 victory over Stoke City at Carrow Road on Saturday. The American striker's second-half brace helped the Canaries maintain their Championship play-off push, taking his tally to seven goals in his last six appearances.
After Lewis Dobbin had given Norwich a first-half lead, only for Lewis Baker to equalize before the break, Sargent took center stage with two contrasting but equally impressive finishes. His first came in the 48th minute, showing his predatory instincts to fire home after good work from Borja Sainz and Ante Crnac. However, his second goal truly showcased his growing confidence and technical ability, as he wrong-footed the Stoke defense before curling a magnificent left-footed effort into the top corner from 20 yards out.
"Quality-wise, without the scorpion kick against Watford, because that's a reaction, I think I'm probably the happiest with that one," Sargent reflected after the match. "It went exactly where I wanted to hit it, and it was a good goal. Jack Wilshere was saying in the dressing room that when I did it, he was saying, 'No, don't cut onto your left.' And he was like, 'alright, fair enough.'"
Norwich head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup praised his in-form striker, who now has 15 goal contributions in just 20 Championship appearances this season. "For what we're doing here, I think probably Josh is the best fit for us, because he can hold the ball well and he can link up with the other offensive players," Thorup said. "He has a very good timing when to arrive in the box, and then you also have his pace that we need sometimes to be able to run in behind. I'm not swapping him with anyone else."
The victory, sealed by a Junior Tchamadeu own goal before Baker's late penalty, leaves Norwich four points behind sixth-placed Blackburn Rovers ahead of their crucial clash at Ewood Park next weekend. With Sargent in this form, the Canaries' play-off hopes remain alive.
Christian Pulisic experienced the first penalty miss of his professional career as AC Milan suffered a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Torino in Serie A on Saturday. The American forward's perfect record from the spot, which included 12 successful conversions stretching back to 2014, ended when Torino goalkeeper Sergej Milinkovic-Savic saved his first-half effort.
The crucial moment came in the 31st minute after a handball by a Torino defender gave Milan a chance to equalize following an early own goal by Malick Thiaw. Pulisic stepped up confidently, having previously converted seven penalties for the U.S. national team, three for Milan, one for Borussia Dortmund's youth team, and one for the U.S. Under-17s. However, his low strike was well-read by Milinkovic-Savic, who dove to his right to make the save.
The miss proved costly for Milan, who had to wait until the 74th minute for Tijjani Reijnders to level the score. Two minutes later, Torino substitute Gvidas Gineitis restored the hosts' lead. The defeat left Milan in seventh place, six points adrift of the Champions League places.
Reflecting on a difficult evening, Pulisic took to social media to address Milan's supporters. "Really tough week. Hate letting down this amazing fan base. Will give everything to finish this season on a positive note," he wrote on Instagram. The save continued an impressive run of form for Milinkovic-Savic, who has now saved four of the five penalties he has faced this season – more than any other goalkeeper in Europe's top five leagues.
Pulisic will look to bounce back when Milan faces Bologna on Thursday. The American is expected to retain his place in the starting lineup as the Rossoneri attempt to revive their faltering top-four hopes.
Midfielder Made Second League Start of the Season in Dortmund Victory
Borussia Dortmund manager Niko Kovac gave Giovanni Reyna a rare start on Saturday, playing 70 minutes in an attacking midfield role as BVB secured an emphatic 6-0 victory over Union Berlin. The appearance marked just the second Bundesliga start of the season for the U.S. international, who has struggled for consistent playing time throughout the campaign.
Despite contributing to a convincing team victory, Reyna had a relatively quiet individual performance. The 22-year-old managed just one touch inside the opposition penalty area. While he maintained solid passing accuracy, completing 20 of 23 attempts, his defensive contribution was less effective, with only three successful tackles from seven attempts in midfield.
Notably, Dortmund's attack came alive after Reyna's substitution in the 70th minute, with the team scoring four times in the final 20 minutes. It was Reyna's first start since the Champions League appearance against Bologna on January 21. The win was highlighted by a remarkable four-goal performance from striker Serhou Guirassy.
The rare start comes at a crucial time for Reyna's future, as he enters the final year of his contract with Dortmund. The club is reportedly open to reasonable transfer offers, having previously been willing to sell him for around €20m last January. Since the start of the 2021 season, Reyna has started just 12 Bundesliga games, with injuries and coaching changes contributing to his limited opportunities.
Dortmund hopes this commanding victory can spark a turnaround in their domestic form, as it has represented only their second Bundesliga win since the start of 2025. They return to action next Saturday against FC St. Pauli, with Reyna hoping his performance was enough to retain his place in Kovac's starting lineup.
On This Day in 1991, World Cup Manager was Removed from Post, Takes on New Role
Bob Gansler, the man who led the United States to its first World Cup appearance in 40 years, resigned as head coach of the U.S. National Team on February 23, following a disappointing 1-0 loss to Bermuda. The defeat, which marked the team's sixth consecutive game without scoring, was the final chapter in a tenure marked by historic achievement but persistent criticism.
Gansler's two-year reign as head coach produced a record of 14 wins, 17 losses and 5 draws. Still, it will forever be remembered for the dramatic victory in Trinidad and Tobago on November 19, 1989, that secured the United States' first World Cup qualification since 1950. However, the team's subsequent performance in Italy '90, where they lost all three group stage matches, combined with growing criticism of Gansler's conservative tactical approach, created mounting pressure on his position.
The change in U.S. Soccer Federation leadership from Werner Fricker to Alan Rothenberg had further complicated Gansler's situation. Rothenberg had openly criticized Gansler's methods and had made it clear the federation was seeking a replacement with more international experience. Rather than await dismissal, Gansler chose to step down.
"I've enjoyed my experience as coach of the national team," Gansler said after informing his players following the Bermuda match. "But I felt it was time to move on and give the players a little more certainty. The team we need to showcase was suffering, because neither the players nor I could perform at maximum potential under these circumstances. I guess lame ducks just don't fly that well."
The USSF appointed John Kowalski, coach of Robert Morris College and the U.S. indoor team, as interim manager while searching for a permanent replacement. Gansler would transition to a new role as the federation's national director of coaching and player development, focusing on identifying top talent and upgrading coaching education programs.
Just one month after Gansler's departure, the USSF found its man in Bora Milutinovic, the Yugoslav coach who had led Mexico and Costa Rica to World Cup success. Fresh from guiding Costa Rica to the second round of the 1990 World Cup, Milutinovic signed a contract to lead the U.S. team through the 1994 World Cup on home soil. The experienced tactician expressed confidence in American soccer's potential, boldly declaring his mission was "to show everybody that even Americans know how to play soccer" and predicting the team could reach the second round of the '94 tournament.
Despite the disappointing end to his national team tenure, Gansler would find considerable success in professional soccer, leading the Kansas City Wizards to an MLS championship in 2000 and earning MLS Coach of the Year honors in the same season. While complex, his legacy with the national team includes the distinction of being the coach who ended America's four-decade World Cup drought.
