US Spoils Trinidad Carnival

On This Day in 2005, the Eddies Each Score as the US Remains Unbeaten in World Cup Qualifying

The United States opened the final round of World Cup qualifying for Germany 2006, riding a wave of dominance in CONCACAF. Bruce Arena's squad hadn't lost to a regional opponent since September 2001 in Costa Rica, compiling an impressive 22-7-0 (WDL) record during that span. 

However, their preparation hit turbulence in early 2005 when a labor dispute between U.S. Soccer and its players led to three weeks of missed training for MLS-based players and the cancellation of planned friendlies against Sweden and South Korea. The team's newest weapon, 20-year-old Eddie Johnson, had spectacularly burst onto the scene, becoming the first player to score in each of his first four national team appearances.

The Americans arrived in Port-of-Spain amid the festivities of Carnival, with the February 9 match scheduled for an afternoon kickoff at Queen's Park Cricket Club instead of the national stadium. Arena started eight European-based players, banking on their mid-season fitness in the 90-degree Caribbean heat. The strategy paid dividends in the 30th minute when right-back Steve Cherundolo pushed forward and delivered a precise cross to an unmarked Johnson in the penalty area. The young striker's header flew inside the right post, catching the keeper off guard by his own admission.

The pivotal moment came early in the second half when goalkeeper Kasey Keller, who had made a 23-hour journey from Germany just two days prior, rushed out to smother Leslie Fitzpatrick's breakaway attempt. The save preserved the lead; minutes later, in the 54th minute, the Americans doubled their advantage. Johnson initiated the sequence, combining with Landon Donovan before Eddie Lewis curled a left-footed shot from 23 yards into the right corner. Though Angus Eve would pull one back in the 89th minute with a sharp cross deflected off Keller's hand, the Americans had secured the vital road victory.

"When you write the story of this game, there were a bunch of reasons why we couldn't be successful today," Arena reflected afterward. "We never agreed with that. I think the way our team pulled together over the last couple of weeks to be ready to play this game under difficult conditions – travel, field conditions, the heat, everything else – it turns out to be a fantastic result."

The win positioned the U.S. perfectly for the remaining nine matches of their qualifying campaign, with home-and-away series against Mexico, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Panama and Trinidad and Tobago ahead. Their next challenge would come on March 27 in Mexico, followed by a home date with Guatemala in Birmingham three days later. For Johnson, who wouldn't turn 21 until the following month, his sixth goal in just four appearances highlighted his remarkable emergence and the expectations ahead.

"Bruce told me it's only going to get harder," Johnson said. "I'm not going to score in every game. It's about taking advantage of the chances you get."

Bradley's Olimpico

On This Day in 2015, Midfielder Scored the Winner Directly from a Corner Kick in the US's Victory over Panama

Pressure was mounting on Jurgen Klinsmann and the U.S. Men's National Team. Since their dramatic World Cup opener victory against Ghana in Brazil seven months earlier, the Americans had managed just one win in nine matches while conceding a series of deflating late goals. The latest setback came in a 3-2 loss to Chile, where defensive lapses once again proved costly.

"I'm not saying it's OK that we haven't performed well," forward Jozy Altidore said before their February 8 match against Panama. "I'm not saying that we shouldn't be upset with ourselves because we represent the country. But saying that, keeping that in mind, I think you have to look at what we're trying to do, the transformation, trying different players, and be patient with that."

The friendly at StubHub Center marked the conclusion of a month-long January camp during which Klinsmann experimented with formations and evaluated new faces. After using a three-man backline against Chile, he reverted to a more familiar four-defender setup against Panama. The visitors brought extra motivation, still carrying the sting of their dramatic elimination from World Cup qualifying when the U.S. scored twice in stoppage time in October 2013.

"There's a lot of respect from our end," Klinsmann noted pre-match. "[Panama has] a very competitive group here and they probably have a little bit still in their stomach to forget a day that was really a disaster for them."

After 27 uneventful minutes, Michael Bradley provided the spark the Americans desperately needed. The Toronto FC midfielder stepped up to take a corner kick and delivered what's known in international soccer as a "gol olimpico" – scoring directly from the corner. Bradley's expertly placed kick curled into the far side netting, leaving Los Angeles Galaxy goalkeeper Jaime Penedo helplessly watching as the ball nestled in the net.

The rare feat was named in 1924 when Argentina's Cesareo Onzari scored directly from a corner kick against Uruguay, three months after FIFA made such goals legal. Because Argentina had just won the Olympic gold medal, the achievement was dubbed "gol olimpico."

"You'd have to ask him whether he was aiming for that because we didn't know," Clint Dempsey said with a laugh after the match. While Jozy Altidore was positioned to head the ball if needed, Bradley's perfect bend made any intervention unnecessary, marking his 13th international goal spectacularly.

The Americans doubled their lead ten minutes later when Galaxy forward Gyasi Zardes made an assertive run through midfield before threading a pass to Dempsey, who finished clinically past Penedo for his 40th international goal – second only to Landon Donovan's 57 in U.S. men's history. This finish will go underlooked compared to Bradley's, but Dempsey receives the ball running toward the goal and pulls a step-over before his first touch, leaving the goalkeeper in his wake before finding the empty net.

"Coming out of a little bit of a difficult period, it was an important game for us," Bradley reflected afterward. "Maybe this isn't the most important game we'll play this year, but while it wasn't perfect, we were able to do a lot of good things. It sets the groundwork for the rest of the year."

The 2-0 victory not only snapped their winless streak but also marked the end of a month-long training camp. Most importantly, they avoided the late defensive collapses that had plagued them since the World Cup. With the CONCACAF Gold Cup and World Cup qualifying on the horizon, the Americans had finally found something positive to build upon.

Pepi Out for the Season

The Striker Will Miss Time Following Surgery, Extended at PSV

Ricardo Pepi has suffered a significant setback in a breakthrough season at PSV Eindhoven, with the forward requiring meniscus surgery following a knee injury sustained in PSV's dramatic 3-2 Champions League victory over Liverpool. The injury, which occurred in the same match where Pepi scored the winning goal, will sideline him for the remainder of the 2024-25 season.

The timing is miserable as the 22-year-old had been enjoying his most prolific campaign in European football, notching 18 goals in 29 appearances across all competitions despite primarily serving as a backup to club captain Luuk de Jong. His impressive form had caught the attention of Premier League side West Ham United, who reportedly submitted a $25 million bid in January.

PSV demonstrated their faith in Pepi's potential by rejecting that offer and securing his long-term future with a contract extension through 2030 instead. The Texas native expressed his commitment to the Dutch giants despite the injury setback.

"At the time it happened, I thought the injury wasn't too bad. But the next day I knew something was wrong," Pepi explained. "This is unfortunately the risk of our profession, but I assure you that I will be back as soon as possible."

PSV head coach Peter Bosz confirmed the severity of the injury, stating: "We assume that Ricardo Pepi will be out for the rest of the season." The injury rules Pepi out of the USMNT's upcoming CONCACAF Nations League semifinal against Panama in March.

Despite the setback, Pepi remained optimistic about his future with PSV: "Thanks to the enormous amount of love and opportunities PSV gives me and the special club that PSV is, I had no doubts about extending my contract. We have already experienced many unforgettable moments together, and hopefully, many special milestones will follow."

Johnny Extended at Betis

 Midfielder Signed Through 2030 Despite Tottenham Transfer Clause

Johnny Cardoso has committed his long-term future to Real Betis, signing a contract extension that will keep him at the Spanish club until 2030. The new deal comes after an impressive first year in La Liga, during which the 23-year-old has established himself as a crucial component of Manuel Pellegrini's squad.

Since arriving from Internacional in Brazil during the 2024 winter transfer window, Cardoso has featured in 44 matches for Betis, contributing two goals and three assists while primarily operating as a defensive midfielder. His seamless adaptation to Spanish football has attracted attention from several high-profile clubs, including Barcelona and Tottenham Hotspur, with the latter holding a right of first refusal on any potential transfer.

"This [transfer interest] motivates me even more to continue working, evolving and seeking to achieve great goals," Cardoso said. "It has been a very special year, with a lot of learning and development. I have adapted very well here. I think I have gained more experience, I have improved as an athlete both technically and tactically, and I continue to evolve."

Despite the contract extension, reports from Mundo Deportivo indicate that Tottenham's £21 million option to buy Cardoso remains valid for the summer transfer window. This clause was reportedly championed by Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou, who is said to be an admirer of the American midfielder.

Pefok Returns to Stade Reims, Injured in First Match

 Striker Suffered a Knee Injury in First Match Back in France

Jordan Pefok has emotionally returned to Stade de Reims, the club where he began his professional career, only to suffer a serious injury setback in his first appearance back at the French club.

The 28-year-old forward completed a €4.5 million transfer from Union Berlin, signing a contract to keep him at the Stade Auguste-Delaune until 2027. The move marked a homecoming for Pefok, who scored 25 goals in 75 appearances for Reims during his first spell. In the standout 2017-18 season, he led the club's scoring charts during their promotion to Ligue 1.

Reims General Manager Mathieu Lacour expressed his enthusiasm about the reunion: "It is always a pleasure to see the return of a player trained at the Club. Jordy has always been part of our history, and his return is a great opportunity to strengthen our team."

Before his return to France, Pefok had struggled to find form in Germany, failing to score in 18 Bundesliga appearances this season. Despite the challenges, the striker maintained a positive attitude about his time at Union Berlin. "I will never forget my time at Union," Pefok said upon his departure. "I made a lot of new friends, and what we achieved together is still incredible."

However, his fresh start at Reims took a devastating turn when he suffered a serious injury shortly after being introduced as a substitute in a Coupe de France match against Bourgoin-Jallieu. The injury cut short his eagerly anticipated return to French football, adding another challenging chapter to a career that has seen him play across France, Switzerland, and Germany since leaving Reims.

The nine-time capped USMNT forward will now focus on his recovery as he looks to revive his career at his boyhood club.

Conrad's First International Goal

On This Day in 2007, the Center-Back Scored the Opener in a Dos-a-Cero Friendly Victory over Mexico

Opportunity can present itself in the most unexpected ways. Just a year before the 2006 World Cup, Jimmy Conrad was a long shot to make the U.S. national team roster, having made only eight international appearances. Not only did he make the squad, but he also played in Germany and emerged as one of the team's veteran leaders after the tournament.

Following Bruce Arena's departure after a disappointing World Cup group-stage exit, interim coach Bob Bradley took charge and began rebuilding. With veterans like Eddie Pope, Kasey Keller, Brian McBride, and Claudio Reyna either retiring or not being called up, Conrad found himself in an unfamiliar position. At 29, he was one of the elder statesmen in camp.

"This is obviously the first camp before the next World Cup cycle, so Bob's going want to see a lot of new guys, lot of young guys and give them their chance," Conrad said before the February 7 friendly against Mexico at the University of Phoenix Stadium. "I don't think you ever relax when you're with the national team because there are so many people gunning for playing time and positioning."

The match itself lived up to the intense rivalry, played before a sellout crowd of 64,462 that heavily favored the visitors. Mexico came out aggressive under new coach Hugo Sánchez, with Cuauhtemoc Blanco leading early attacks. Conrad had to make a crucial clearance in the fourth minute after goalkeeper Tim Howard dropped the ball in front of goal with Mexican forwards lurking.

But it was Conrad who would break the deadlock in the 52nd minute. The Kansas City Wizards defender met Landon Donovan's corner kick with a powerful header that beat goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez inside the left post – his first international goal in his 19th appearance. "I think we showed what we're made of," Conrad said afterward.

Mexico pressed hard for an equalizer, forcing Howard into several saves, including denying Omar Bravo in the 67th minute. The match grew increasingly heated, with Mexican captain Rafael Marquez and American forward Eddie Johnson exchanging shoves in the later stages. But Donovan sealed the victory in the 90th minute, converting a breakaway off Ricardo Clark's pass for his 27th international goal.

The 2-0 victory extended the Americans' impressive run against their biggest rivals. They improved to 8-2-1 against Mexico since 2000 and maintained their unbeaten home record (7-0-1). While Bradley's interim status meant the result wouldn't directly determine his future as head coach, it was another positive step in rebuilding the program after the World Cup disappointment. 

For Conrad, it validated his unlikely journey from national team outsider to scoring match-winner in one of American soccer's biggest rivalries. The defender would play nine more matches for the US over the next cycle, including two matches at the 2007 Copa America. He also captained the side twice in the 2009 Gold Cup. His last game was the 2010 friendly against Honduras, where he was captain for the fifth time.

Americans Stun Germans

On This Day in 1999, the US Records Its First Win Over Germany with Three German-Based Players Netting Goals

The United States Men's National Team hit rock bottom at the 1998 World Cup in France. After qualifying for their third straight World Cup, the Americans finished dead last in the 32-team field, losing all three group stage matches, including a 2-0 defeat to Germany in their opening match. The disappointing performance led to Steve Sampson's resignation as head coach, closing a chapter that had started with such promise but ended in disaster.

Enter Bruce Arena. The Brooklyn-born coach had built an impressive resume, winning five national championships at the University of Virginia and leading D.C. United to the first two Major League Soccer titles, capturing the CONCACAF Champions and Interamerican Cups. Expectations were tempered when he took over the national team in October 1998. His first two matches—against Australia and Bolivia—ended in scoreless draws, extending the team's winless streak to six matches dating back to a 2-0 victory over Kuwait in May.

The February 7 friendly against Germany at Alltel Stadium in Jacksonville would be different. Despite losing defenders Eddie Pope and Jeff Agoos to injury (replaced by Matt McKeon and Rich Kotschau), Arena had assembled a squad featuring several players who knew their opponents intimately – Jovan Kirovski (Fortuna Cologne), Tony Sanneh (Hertha Berlin), and Claudio Reyna (VfL Wolfsburg) all played their club football in Germany.

That familiarity showed early. In the 16th minute, Kirovski, who played in Germany's second division, opened the scoring with a perfectly placed 22-yard shot that found the far corner beyond goalkeeper Oliver Kahn's reach. The goal opened the floodgates. Eight minutes later, Sanneh, who had just joined first-division Hertha Berlin after three seasons with D.C. United, broke free and outmaneuvered German midfielder Jens Jeremies before slipping the ball past an onrushing Kahn. The Americans weren't done yet – just two minutes later, a fluid combination of passes from Chris Armas to Eddie Lewis found Reyna alone six yards from goal, and the captain made no mistake, making it 3-0.

"It was a clear 3-0 victory," Reyna said afterward. "It wasn't three lucky goals. It was three well-deserved goals. And we honestly could have had more. We let them know in the first minute that we were here to play and that we weren't going to give them the respect we did in the World Cup."

The victory marked the United States' first win over Germany in four attempts, and the three-goal margin represented the Germans' worst first-half deficit since facing Brazil in Washington in 1993. Arena's tactical approach proved masterful – he had noticed Germany's last nine goals had come from crossing situations, so he tasked Sanneh and Lewis with shutting down the flanks. "It's very rare that U.S. players own the flanks in games of this type," Arena noted, "especially against the likes of the German team."

After the final whistle, Arena gathered his players in the locker room and shouted, "Today, the best team won!" It was more than just their first victory over Germany – it was a statement of intent from a program looking to rebuild after the World Cup disaster. While Arena remained measured in his public comments, calling it "a good result" while emphasizing he was "not going to make a big deal out of it," the significance wasn't lost on anyone.

However, Arena was quick to temper expectations. With World Cup 2002 qualifying set to begin in late 2000, he knew this friendly victory—however impressive—was just one step in a longer journey. "It was a good win," Arena said, "but people must not forget that this was only a friendly international match in February of 1999." The rebuilding project was underway, but the actual tests still lay ahead.

Unbeaten at the Miami Cup

On This Day in 1986, a Goalless Draw with Canada Led to Another Draw After Missing the World Cup

The inaugural Miami Cup, part of the 1986 Miami Winter Games, marked a fresh start for the United States national team. The six-team tournament attracted three World Cup-bound sides: Uruguay, who had previously won soccer's biggest prize; Paraguay, who qualified through a playoff victory over Chile; and Canada, who earned their first-ever World Cup berth. Colombia and Jamaica rounded out the field. Brazilian legend Pele kicked off the festivities, arriving in a white stretch limousine wearing a black satin jacket to promote the tournament. "It doesn't matter who wins," Pele said. "What's important is that the teams put on a nice show for the people and score some goals."

For new U.S. coach Lothar Osiander, the tournament represented his first challenge after being hired just days before to revamp a floundering program. The German-born Osiander, who still worked as a waiter at Graziano's in San Francisco because he couldn't afford not to, completely overhauled the squad. Gone were NASL veterans like goalkeeper Arnie Mausser, replaced by college players with an average age of 21. For this tournament, though, the USA and Canada teams were without their MISL (Major Indoor Soccer League) players, who were not released, and the American squad comprised college players.

"We're fighting the high schools, the colleges, the Major Indoor Soccer League and the semipro outdoor leagues — to get players and mostly to keep them," Osiander explained of the challenges facing U.S. Soccer.

On February 5, the young Americans showed their potential in a scoreless draw with World Cup-bound Canada before an announced crowd of 5,182 at the Orange Bowl. Despite having only four days of practice together, the U.S. grew stronger as the match progressed. Clemson midfielder Eric Eichmann, who used to train with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers, impressed in his international debut patrolling the middle of the field. 

"There are some guys in this room whose names I didn't know four days ago," Eichmann said after the match. "When the final whistle blew, I felt something was about to happen. We had started to create some chances."

Former Strikers legend Teofilo Cubillas waited outside the U.S. locker room to congratulate his protégé Eichmann. "Eric is a nice guy," Cubillas said. "He is a good player and can get even better. He only needs more competition at this level." 

Even Canadian coach Tony Waiters praised the Americans' performance, saying, "I was very impressed with their young players. They're not too far behind if they're behind at all."

Two days later, the Americans followed up the Canada result with another impressive showing, drawing Uruguay 1-1. Bruce Murray gave the U.S. an early lead in the eighth minute, and they held that advantage until Carlos Aguilera equalized in the 75th minute. The goal sent Uruguay's fans into celebration, causing the majority American crowd to respond with chants of "USA!" Though Uruguay advanced to the final on goal difference, Osiander's makeshift squad proved they could compete with established soccer nations.

"You can't build a team in three days; it takes three years," Eichmann reflected. "I cross my fingers that we can keep this team together because we proved we can play with the best. The talent is here." 

Uruguay's coach, Omar Borras, agreed, "They have a good future, this American team." 

The tournament marked an encouraging start to Osiander's rebuilding project, which aimed at the 1988 Olympics and 1990 World Cup. However, he remained realistic about the long road ahead: "I would not want to play Germany or Brazil right now, but for a start, you can call this a good week for us."

After the tournament, the players scattered back to their colleges, and Osiander returned to waiting tables. Due to the federation's limited budget, the U.S. wouldn't play again for months. "Thirty years ago, I came to the United States from West Germany. I was young, and everybody said, 'In 10 years, we will be a world power,'" Osiander said. "Now I'm old, and they still say, 'In 10 years, we will be a world power.' But we are not even close. By 1994, if the youth players continue to grow and we can have enough money to properly run a national team, maybe by then we can talk about it."

Reyna's First Professional Goal

On This Day in 2020, the Teenager Opened His Account with a Stunning Finish

Just 19 days after his 17th birthday, Giovanni Reyna made his Bundesliga debut for Borussia Dortmund as a 72nd-minute substitute in a 5-3 win over Augsburg on January 18, 2020. The son of a former U.S. national team captain and former USWNT midfielder became the youngest American to appear in the Bundesliga, breaking Christian Pulisic's record.

Growing up, Reyna was a multi-sport athlete who played AAU basketball until age 14, but his soccer talent was undeniable. Like Pulisic before him, Reyna joined Dortmund before turning 18 thanks to a European passport - in his case, Portuguese citizenship through his mother's family.

On February 4th, Reyna scored his first professional goal stunningly during Dortmund's DFB-Pokal Round of 16 match against Werder Bremen. After entering as a 66th-minute substitute for Dan-Axel Zagadou with Dortmund trailing 3-1, Reyna made an immediate impact. Shortly after Erling Haaland pulled one back, Reyna collected the ball and embarked on a mesmerizing dribble past several Bremen defenders before curling a right-footed shot into the upper corner. The goal made him the youngest scorer in German Cup history, though Bremen would hold on for a 3-2 victory.

"He's much more of an athlete than I was, much more of a goal scorer. He's very technical and has a good feel for the game," Claudio said of his son.

Dortmund manager Lucien Favre was also impressed, saying, "In training, you can see that he has something special. If you can't see that, you're blind." His teammate Haaland nicknamed him the "American Dream" because "he has a huge future in front of him."

Reyna's rapid rise continued two weeks later when he became the third-youngest player to appear in a Champions League knockout match against Paris Saint-Germain. He made the most of his opportunity, assisting Haaland's winner nine minutes after coming on as a substitute.

"It's crazy at times to think all my friends are in high school back home, and I'm in Germany playing professional Fussball right now in the Bundesliga," Reyna told BVB's TV channel. His promising form earned him his first planned Bundesliga start in the Revierderby against Schalke in May, but he suffered a calf injury in warmups.

Despite being eligible for England (birthplace), Portugal (through his mother's family), and Argentina (through his father), Reyna committed his international future to the United States in early 2020. "I'm aware of the rumors, but it's quite clear for me. I only want to play for the United States. That's my home country," he said.

U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter praised Reyna's development, particularly noting, "When he gets the ball in the pocket, his awareness to turn and efficiency is excellent. He doesn't waste any touches to turn. His ball security under pressure is phenomenal." Though the pandemic would delay his senior debut, Reyna was set to join a promising young core of Americans playing for Europe's top clubs.

Weah's Instant Impact for Celtic

On This Day in 2019, the Teenager Came off the Bench, Assisted the Winner and Scored the Insurance Goal in a Celtic Victory

Timothy Weah joined Celtic on loan in January 2019 from Paris Saint-Germain, where the 18-year-old had only made two Ligue 1 appearances that season. Before joining Celtic, Weah signed a one-year extension with PSG through 2021, showing the French champions still saw a future for the American international. Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers brought in Weah to cover Leigh Griffiths, who was on personal leave, saying, "Timothy's a young talent who is a full international player. He has a long career ahead of him but he has those natural attributes in terms of his pace and technique. He's hungry, too." The Guardian

The son of former World Player of the Year George Weah made an immediate impact at Celtic, scoring in his first two appearances. His first Scottish Premiership goal came as a substitute against St. Mirren, getting behind the defense to score in the 86th minute of a 4-0 victory. This became a pattern for Weah - entering late in matches and making an impact off the bench.

On February 3rd, Weah played a crucial role in Celtic's 2-0 victory over St. Johnstone at McDiarmid Park. The match was a tight affair between the two sides with the most clean sheets in the Scottish Premiership. St. Johnstone goalkeeper Zander Clark made numerous impressive saves to deny Celtic, including stops against Oliver Burke, Jozo Simunovic, Odsonne Edouard and Scott Sinclair. But in the 78th minute, Weah, who entered the match a few minutes earlier, provided the breakthrough when his cross found James Forrest at the back post. The American then sealed the victory on the counter-attack, turning in Callum McGregor's cross after a flowing move to secure Celtic's fifth-straight win and move them six points clear at the top of the table.

It's an incredible feeling to come into a hard game and score," Weah said. "But the assist was more important for me. It's my first of the season and to get it at such an important time was amazing. To see the joy on Jamesie's face was incredible and the celebration with the fans topped it off. The referee told me that he would have given me a yellow card (for his goal celebration), but the fans didn't fall over and told me to be careful the next time. I bet Jamesie is wondering why I didn't get booked. It's weird. But I have to say that the goal and celebration would have been worth a booking, 100 percent."

Weah remained the spark off the bench for the eventual Scottish Champions. In April, he scored another goal in the league against St. Mirrens, which turned out to be his second-to-last match in Scotland. Weah's time at Celtic would come to a premature end in May. Weah was selected for the U.S. U-20 World Cup squad that would begin play on May 24 - the day before Celtic's Scottish Cup final against Hearts. Weah accepted the chance to represent his country, and Celtic terminated his loan two weeks early, stating that Weah "refused to return to Glasgow" for the season's final match. 

"The gaffer told me it is in the best interest of the team that I collect my things and go home," Weah said. He had scored four goals in 16 appearances but saw his playing time decrease after Neil Lennon replaced Rodgers as manager in February.

Weah bid an emotional farewell to Celtic supporters on Instagram, writing "It was a true honour playing for this club and also having the opportunity to interact with legends who paved the way for us. To you, the fans, I will never forget you for all the love, support and kindness you have shown me. I don't know as yet what the future holds but I wish to one day come back to this great club to be with you all. I will forever miss you chanting my name and hearing the beautiful song you have created for me."

Celtic would go on to win the Scottish Cup without Weah, but that is okay. The young American had a stellar tournament, notching two goals and two assists in a run to the quarterfinals. Weah assisted in that famous 3-2 win over France in the Round of 16.