Plenty of Firsts in Victory Over Bolivia

On This Day in 2018, Young Americans Signal New Era with Convincing Win Against Bolivia

As the 2018 World Cup approached, the United States Men's National Team found itself in unfamiliar territory—on the outside looking in. The stunning 2-1 loss to Trinidad and Tobago in October 2017 ended the Americans' streak of seven consecutive World Cup appearances, prompting soul-searching throughout U.S. Soccer. But on May 28, 2018, at Talen Energy Stadium in Chester, Pennsylvania, a new generation of American talent offered a glimpse of a promising future.

The fallout from missing the World Cup had been severe. Bruce Arena resigned just days after the Trinidad debacle, and by spring 2018, interim coach Dave Sarachan was tasked with beginning the long rebuilding process. Rather than relying on veterans of failed campaigns past, Sarachan turned decisively toward youth.

"As I've talked about throughout this process, the theme is to offer opportunity to this younger generation of talented players that have potential down the road with the program," Sarachan said before the Bolivia match. "We've had first-time call-ups in every camp since November, and this is another extension of that."

This approach starkly contrasts the situation described in Bruce Arena's forthcoming book, "What's Wrong With Us: A Coach's Blunt Take on the State of American Soccer After a Lifetime on the Touchline," scheduled for release just before the World Cup. In it, Arena warned that without significant changes in leadership and player development, the U.S. might face similar disappointments in the future.

The youth movement had already shown promise in March when an experimental American lineup secured a 1-0 friendly win against Paraguay in Cary, North Carolina. Bobby Wood converted a penalty kick just before halftime after Tyler Adams had been fouled in the box, and the young Americans held on for the victory.

Sarachan doubled down on his commitment to youth for the Bolivia friendly, selecting a lineup with an average age of just 22 years and 160 days. Four teenagers started, including Borussia Dortmund's Christian Pulisic (19), Schalke's Weston McKennie (19), Paris Saint-Germain's Tim Weah (18) and Werder Bremen's Josh Sargent (18). Four players – goalkeeper Alex Bono (24), defenders Erik Palmer-Brown (21) and Antonee Robinson (20) and the 18-year-old Sargent – were making their senior debuts. Nottingham Forest's Eric Lichaj, with a relatively veteran 15 caps, wore the captain's armband.

Against a weak Bolivian side, the Americans were energetic, ambitious, and at times, carefree. Their technical work didn't always click, with touches occasionally off and partnerships still developing. But their individual quality ultimately shone through. Zimmerman, at 25, was a relative veteran among this group, and he opened the scoring in the 37th minute when he rose highest to nod in Corona's corner kick from 11 yards – his first international goal in just his third appearance.

The second half brought the evening's most memorable moments, courtesy of the teenage duo of Sargent and Weah – the first-ever U.S. starters born in the 2000s. Sargent, who had yet to play a professional first-team match, displayed remarkable awareness and confidence in the 52nd minute. As Bolivian goalkeeper Carlos Lampe exchanged passes with defender Luis Haquin, Sargent applied pressure between them. When Lampe attempted to chip the ball over him, the teenager turned, intercepted the pass, and calmly finished past the embarrassed keeper.

"I saw him start to chip the ball over, so I started backing up a little bit, and had a good touch to turn it around and good shot," Sargent explained afterward.

Seven minutes later, Robinson showcased his speed down the left flank, beating a defender and delivering a one-hop cross into the penalty area. Weah timed his run perfectly and volleyed home with his right foot for his first international goal.

"Once I saw the service come in, I was like, I got to get there. I got to get this. This is my opportunity to get the goal," an exuberant Weah said post-match. "I got it, and it was just an amazing feeling. I love this country, and scoring for this country in front of all these fans was such an amazing thing."

By the final whistle, six players had earned their first caps, with Matthew Olosunde and Keaton Parks coming off the bench to join the debutants. Even Pulisic, despite playing on tired legs after a long Bundesliga season, showed flashes of the leadership that would make him the centerpiece of the American rebuild. The Pennsylvania native received a warm reception from the 11,882 fans in attendance, playing for the senior national team in his home state for the first time.

The 3-0 victory marked the fourth match under Sarachan, with the Americans posting a 2-0-2 record while recording three consecutive shutouts. Rather than preparing for the World Cup in Russia, the USMNT was taking early steps toward Qatar 2022.

"We have a wider pool of good, young players than we have had for many years, but they are still young," Sarachan cautioned after the match. "We want to be optimistic and there is hope, but we have to let this play out before we start anointing this generation."

With the Bolivia match behind them, the Americans would head to Europe for friendlies against Ireland on June 2 in Dublin and France on June 9 in Lyon. Sarachan planned significant roster changes for those European tests, with only about a dozen players continuing from the Bolivia squad.

While American fans would watch the 2018 World Cup without their team for the first time since 1986, the performance against Bolivia provided genuine cause for optimism. In Sargent and Weah, the U.S. had discovered two teenage talents who joined Pulisic as the face of a new generation. And in players like Robinson, McKennie, and others, the foundation was being laid for what U.S. Soccer hoped would be a successful qualification campaign for 2022.

"They're reading a lot about themselves and so on," Sarachan noted about his young team. "They're still steps. If you want to get to A, you still start at D and then to C, then to B. We're very quick to jump them up into the A category. I think that's a process that we have to manage, with expectations, with a lot of noise on the outside."

On this night in Chester, Pennsylvania, that journey from D toward A had taken a promising step forward.

McKennie's Goal Against Dusseldorf

On This Day in 2020, the Midfielder's Diving Header was a Brief Glimmer During Difficult Times

When David Wagner took the managerial reins at Schalke 04 in the summer of 2019, Weston McKennie found himself at a juncture in his young career. The 21-year-old American midfielder had already established himself as a presence in Gelsenkirchen. Still, under Wagner's guidance, McKennie's role evolved into something more essential, becoming a cornerstone for a Royal Blues side with European ambitions. His versatility proved invaluable to Wagner's tactical approach, with the Texas native deployed across multiple positions in midfield and occasionally in defense, showcasing his tactical intelligence and physical prowess.

By March 2020, McKennie had also begun finding his scoring touch. His goal against Hoffenheim on March 7 demonstrated his aerial ability and knack for timely runs—attributes that would later define one of the most memorable moments of his career. Despite his personal development, however, Schalke's form had become increasingly concerning, with results deteriorating even before an unprecedented global crisis would change everything.

On March 13, 2020, the German Bundesliga became one of countless sporting competitions worldwide to suspend operations as the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the globe. For 81 long days, the usually vibrant stadiums of Germany fell silent, with players confined to individual training regimens and virtual team meetings. The uncertainty of the situation weighed heavily on clubs like Schalke, whose financial difficulties were exacerbated by the sudden loss of matchday revenue.

When the Bundesliga became the first major European league to return to action in mid-May, it did so under strictly controlled conditions—empty stadiums, rigorous testing protocols and socially distanced celebrations. The eerie silence of these "geisterspiele" (ghost games) created an atmosphere unlike anything players had experienced before, requiring a different mental fortitude.

Schalke's return to competitive action proved disastrous. A 4-0 thrashing at the hands of rivals Borussia Dortmund in the Revierderby laid bare the team's vulnerabilities, with the absence of passionate support from the Veltins-Arena faithful keenly felt. The following week brought no respite, as Wagner's men slumped to a 3-0 defeat against Augsburg. In two matches, seven goals were conceded, and none were scored. Schalke's post-pandemic form had the club in free fall. The situation grew increasingly desperate as the team extended its winless streak to eight matches. The once-proud Königsblauen, who had started the season with hopes of European qualification, now slid down the table, their confidence visibly shattered. As they prepared to face relegation-threatened Fortuna Dusseldorf on May 27, pressure mounted on Wagner and his players to arrest the decline.

The Merkur Spiel-Arena stood eerily quiet as Schalke and Dusseldorf played out a cautious first half, neither side willing to risk the early mistake. With both teams struggling for form, the technical quality reflected their fragile confidence. No fans urged them forward, no chants echoed around the stadium—just the players' calls and the hollow thud of boot on ball reverberating around the empty stands.

Eight minutes after the restart, the match finally sparked into life. Schalke won a free kick on the left flank, presenting Bastian Oczipka with the chance to deliver one of his trademark crosses. As he stepped up, McKennie began his run from the edge of the box, timing his movement perfectly to evade his marker. Oczipka's delivery was exquisite—curling with pace toward the far post—and McKennie's response was even better. The American launched himself horizontally, extending his entire body in a spectacular diving header that sent the ball arrowing into the bottom corner beyond the despairing dive of Fortuna goalkeeper Florian Kastenmeier.

The goal was a moment of pure commitment and athletic brilliance in a period otherwise devoid of highlights for Schalke. McKennie's celebration was muted—a reflection of the strange circumstances and perhaps an acknowledgment that the job was far from complete. But for the first time in 247 minutes of post-pandemic football, Schalke had found the net. More significantly, they had taken the lead in a Bundesliga match for the first time since February. For the traveling Schalke contingent watching from home, McKennie's diving header represented more than just the opening goal—it was a desperately needed injection of hope, a reminder of the quality within their beleaguered squad. The American had now scored Schalke's last two goals in league play, remarkably separated by 81 days due to the coronavirus suspension. 

The optimism generated by McKennie's moment of brilliance proved short-lived. Just ten minutes after taking the lead, Schalke's fragile defense cracked. Rouwen Hennings nodded home a 63rd-minute equalizer after goalkeeper Markus Schubert could only parry Kevin Stöger's fierce free kick. The goal stood after a brief VAR check, and Schalke's shoulders visibly slumped. Worse was to follow five minutes later when more defensive disorganization allowed Fortuna to complete their comeback. In a painful twist for McKennie, he found himself caught ball-watching as Kenan Karaman ghosted in at the far post to head home from point-blank range. From potential hero to unwitting villain in the space of fifteen minutes—such was the cruel nature of football's fine margins.

Despite throwing men forward in the closing stages and McKennie's desperate attempts to reach a late cross at the back post, Schalke couldn't find an equalizer. The 2-1 defeat extended their winless run to nine matches and kept them five points adrift of a European qualification spot that once seemed well within their grasp.

Three days after the disappointing defeat in Dusseldorf, McKennie would make headlines for reasons that transcended football. On May 30, during Schalke's home match against Werder Bremen, the American wore a handmade armband bearing the words "Justice for George." The gesture came in response to the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin—an event that had sparked protests across the United States and around the world.

"To be able to use my platform to bring attention to a problem that has been going on too long feels good!!!" McKennie posted on Twitter after the match. "We have to stand up for what we believe in, and I believe that it is time that we are heard! #justiceforgeorgefloyd #saynotoracism."

McKennie's statement became the first of many footballer demonstrations in the following weeks. The following weekend, Bundesliga players, including Jadon Sancho, Achraf Hakimi and Marcus Thuram, made similar gestures of solidarity. By June 7, entire teams were kneeling before matches in unified anti-racism statements, with referees and officials joining in the demonstrations.

In a season defined by unprecedented challenges both on and off the pitch, McKennie's diving header against Fortuna Dusseldorf ultimately became a footnote in Schalke's disappointing campaign. After being has high as third in the table in late November, Schalke won its last league match of the season on January 17, meaning that winless streak continued and finished at 16 matches without a win after final day defeat to Freiburg. But his courage in using his platform to speak out against injustice revealed a young man whose impact extended far beyond the white lines of the football pitch. While his goal provided only momentary joy for Schalke supporters, his stance against racism resonated far more widely, helping to amplify important conversations within the football world and beyond.

Cobi's Rocket in Historic Win Over Scotland

 On This Day in 1996, Jones Scored the Winner as U.S. Soccer's Evolution Continued on Connecticut Soil

On a sun-drenched Memorial Day weekend in New Britain, Connecticut, the United States Men's National Team stood at another milestone in its soccer evolution. Having emerged from the shadows of decades of international irrelevance with their 1994 World Cup hosting duties, the Americans were now tasked with proving their sustainable progress. A third-place finish at the CONCACAF Gold Cup in January had provided little momentum. Still, coach Steve Sampson knew that consistent results against established European opposition would accurately measure American soccer's growth.

Scotland was the opponent on the afternoon of May 26, a team with a history and pedigree that dwarfed America's soccer resume. In three previous meetings, the Scots had dominated the series with an 11-0 aggregate scoreline. With Scotland preparing for the prestigious European Championship tournament just weeks away, the Americans sought to demonstrate how far they had come.

The U.S. team had not played together since the 3-0 victory over Guatemala in the Gold Cup, where they secured a respectable third-place finish. The four-month layoff created concerns about cohesion, players now scattered across the newly formed Major League Soccer and various European clubs.

"The last time we played together was in the Gold Cup," Sampson had noted before the match. "The key to this game is we get back together, we begin to get back on the same page."

For Sampson, the friendly represented more than just a warm-up fixture. It began a long road toward World Cup '98 in France—a qualification journey that would intensify with CONCACAF qualifying matches in the fall. Finding the right combination of veterans and emerging talent would be crucial to those aspirations. Scotland, meanwhile, viewed the match as valuable preparation before facing the Netherlands, England, and Switzerland in the European Championship. Though without top scorer Ally McCoist and initially resting several midfield stars, including Gary McAllister and John Collins, the Scots still fielded a lineup expected to handle their American hosts.

A crowd of 8,526 filled Willow Brook Park, with thousands of Scottish-Americans creating pockets of blue throughout the stands. The visitors rewarded their supporters early, striking first in the ninth minute when Gordon Durie, playing his first match for Scotland in two years, pounced on a rebound after Scott Booth's shot caromed off the right post. With U.S. goalkeeper Juergen Sommer caught out of position, Durie easily slotted home to give Scotland the lead.

The Americans' early deficit did not deflate them; rather, it sharpened their focus. Four minutes after Durie's opener, the U.S. earned a penalty kick when Derek Whyte clumsily tripped Tab Ramos on the right side of the penalty area. Eric Wynalda, the team's all-time leading scorer, stepped to the spot and confidently converted for his 23rd international goal, extending his American record.

As the first half progressed, the U.S. team grew more comfortable, spurred on by captain John Harkes' commanding presence in midfield. The Americans had evolved from a team that once defended desperately to one that now pressed forward with purpose and creativity.

"I was very satisfied with the way we played once everybody got on the same page," Sampson reflected. "We needed about 20 minutes to settle and had to tighten things defensively, but once we got organized, I was happy to see the way we got forward and the extent to which we were effectively running off the ball."

As the second half unfolded, the Americans continued creating better chances. Twice, Harkes sent Wynalda through on breakaways, but the striker couldn't capitalize—once denied by Scottish goalkeeper Jim Leighton and another attempt sailing high over the crossbar.

The breakthrough finally came in the 72nd minute through Cobi Jones, a player who had found new freedom under Sampson's coaching. When Harkes won possession in midfield, beating Stuart McCall to a loose ball, he quickly spotted Jones making a run. After receiving the pass, the midfielder cut inside and unleashed a spectacular 30-yard strike that dipped beyond Leighton's reach and into the upper left corner.

"I saw an opening when John made the pass, and I looked up and made the decision to shoot," Jones explained afterward. "The shot seemed to dip, and I think it caught the keeper off guard."

The goal was emblematic of a new confidence in American soccer—a willingness to attempt the audacious rather than the safe option. "I think Sampson has given us a lot more freedom," Jones said. "The idea is that sometimes you have to take those shots to open things up. Other national teams do it. Sometimes they go in."

When the final whistle blew on the 2-1 victory, there were no wild celebrations from the American players. This was not the euphoria of an unexpected upset but rather the satisfaction of a job well done. "This was a very significant victory for us," Sampson would later say. "The game had great meaning for them, heading into the European Championship, and this win showed just how far U.S. soccer has come."

"The underdog thing worked for us for a while," defender Alexi Lalas said. "Now we have to go out and win games we're expected to win. We're happy, but we've critiqued our performance, and we're not completely pleased. That's how far we've come."

With the victory secured, the U.S. team turned its attention to U.S. Cup '96, a four-nation tournament featuring Ireland, Bolivia, and Mexico. The Americans would face Ireland on June 9 in Foxboro, Massachusetts, followed by Bolivia on June 12 in Washington, D.C., culminating with a showdown against rivals Mexico on June 16 in Pasadena, California. Beyond that summer competition loomed the true prize—World Cup qualification for France '98. The foundation built from hosting the 1994 World Cup was bearing fruit, with a confident American team capable of competing with established soccer nations.

"If there is such a thing as a 2-1 rout, this was it," wrote Jerry Trecker of the Hartford Courant. "The World Cup 1994 foundation continues to bear fruit for the U.S. national team. We have a team that deserves to be ranked in the world's top 20."

On this spring day in Connecticut, Jones's moment of inspiration had provided more than just a winning goal—it had offered another glimpse of American soccer's growing maturity on the international stage.

First Olympic Victory

On This Day in 1924, Stradan's Penalty Propels America to Olympic Victory

American soccer was at a crucial crossroads as the United States Men's National Team prepared for the 1924 Olympic Games in Paris. The sport was experiencing growth at both professional and amateur levels, with the American Soccer League gaining momentum and a new National Amateur Cup competition initiated in the 1923-24 season. Despite not participating in the first Olympics after World War I, the United States Football Association (USFA) was determined to make its mark on the international stage in Paris.

The road to Olympic participation required overcoming significant organizational hurdles. A special committee strongly advocated for U.S. involvement, urging stakeholders to rise above "petty jealousies" and recognize the event's international importance. "The issue is not a matter of district or state importance, but is of national, yes, international importance, and our participation therein will redound to the glory not only of the USA, but to the glory of the United States of America," declared the committee in its appeal.

Team selection proved to be a methodical process. Soccer experts from across the country submitted recommendations, with George Matthew Collins, soccer editor of the Boston Daily Globe, appointed as team manager. The final roster was determined after a tryout match against the Scots A.C. of Passaic at Olympic Park in Paterson, New Jersey. The squad represented the amateur ideal, with no college players included.

Four players came from the ranks of Fleisher Yarn F.C. of Philadelphia, the amateur team that had surprisingly won the American Cup in 1922-23 by eliminating professional powerhouses like Bethlehem, Paterson F.C., and J. & P. Coats. They had also claimed the first U.S. National Amateur Cup. Pennsylvania contributed five additional players, while New Jersey provided three, including goalkeeper James Douglas, a third-generation player with a rich soccer lineage. The remaining spots were filled by representatives from California, Missouri, New York, Illinois and Massachusetts.

On May 25, the Americans made their Olympic debut against Estonia at Pershing Stadium in Paris. Conditions were far from ideal—rain had made the pitch slippery, and the American players, many of whom had never played together before, appeared to lack physical conditioning. The New York Times reported that only 1,000 spectators attended the match, starkly contrasting the 30,000 gathered elsewhere to watch Spain face Italy.

Despite these challenges, the Americans struck first. Ten minutes into the match, Andy Stradan, the center forward from Fleisher Yarn, converted a penalty kick to give the U.S. a 1-0 lead. As Gabriel Hanot, France's recognized soccer expert, warned his countrymen to "beware of the Americans," his caution seemed justified.

However, the lead proved precarious. Experts described Estonia as "well-versed in the technicalities of the game as probably any eleven in the Olympics," and the team grew increasingly dominant as the match progressed. The Baltic champions, whose reputation "carried terror to the soccer fans of Lettland and Lithuania," displayed superior technical skills and combination play that the Americans struggled to contain.

"The Esths, who are the champions of the Baltic... put up a hard and clever battle for a tie. In the second half, they dominated the play, keeping the ball in American territory but were unlucky in shooting at the goal," reported the Daily News.

The American defense adopted desperate measures to preserve its advantage. According to Collins' account, they resorted to "holding, pushing and tripping," which drew the ire of the French crowd, who responded with boos and hisses. Some suggested this hostility stemmed from lingering resentment over an American victory against the French rugby team the previous day.

Estonia nearly equalized in the second half when awarded a penalty kick. The initial attempt sailed over the crossbar in a moment of good fortune for the Americans. When the referee ordered a retake because the kick had been taken before his whistle, the second effort struck the crossbar, allowing Douglas to clear the danger.

Douglas emerged as the match's hero, making "countless saves" to preserve the slim American advantage. "The victory was lucky," acknowledged the Daily News reporter. "The victors were outplayed during the entire second half, but the speed of the Americans was too much for the Estonians, with their smooth-working attack and expert knowledge of the fine points of the game."

The Associated Press drew parallels to the American rugby team's recent success, noting that the soccer players had "earned the admiration of the population by the earnestness of their training and the strictness of their discipline." Like their rugby counterparts, the soccer team relied more on "speed and physical strength than skill" to secure the victory.

The Americans' Olympic journey continued four days later against Uruguay, a team that had completed an impressive 15-game European tour in preparation for the Games. Playing before 20,000 spectators at Bergeyre Stadium, the U.S. team was immediately on the defensive against the skilled South Americans.

Missing two players—Brix, who had suffered a kidney puncture late in the Estonia match, and Rudd, who injured his ankle in practice—the Americans were overwhelmed from the start. Uruguay scored twice in the first 15 minutes and added a third before halftime. The crowd applauded the Uruguayans' "remarkable short passing" and "spectacular and skilled" play.

Though the Americans adjusted their formation in the second half and prevented further scoring, the final 3-0 result reflected Uruguay's dominance. The Associated Press summarized that the U.S. team "was outplayed, outgeneraled, outrun... they were outclassed in everything but courage." Uruguay's display was described as "football never before seen in Europe and such as seldom has been equalled even by England's best professional teams."

After their Olympic elimination, the American team continued their European tour, defeating Poland 3-2 in Warsaw before losing 3-1 to the Irish Free State in Dublin. Uruguay claimed the gold medal with five wins, scoring 20 goals while conceding only two.

In his post-Olympic report to the USFA, Collins reflected on the experience with both pride and pragmatism. "While I do not wish to complain, I know that many teams competing in the Olympics do not live up to the standards of Amateurism set up by you gentlemen, but thank God the United States Football Association can look with pride on their first effort in soccer at the Olympic Games. We did not win the championship of the World at Soccer, but we did leave behind us the impression that we played for the love of the game and Sport only."

Collins recommended better preparation for future Olympics, suggesting either sending the winner of the U.S. Amateur Cup or selecting players with sufficient time to become acquainted with each other's playing styles. He emphasized the challenges faced by the 1924 squad: "Realize, gentlemen, that many of the players were absolute strangers to each other and met on the steamer going over for the first time. They had only five days in which to acclimatize themselves and train for their first game."

Despite its brief Olympic participation, the 1924 team marked an important milestone in American soccer history. Their physical, determined style demonstrated that U.S. players could compete on the world stage even with limited resources and preparation. More significantly, the Americans' defensive adjustment against Uruguay—switching to an unusual 1-4-5 formation—represented what Collins described as "the first innovation, even though accidental, in the classical 2-3-5 (or pyramid) that had been the dominant style for the previous 30 years."

For the financially struggling USFA, the tournament provided valuable international experience but did little to elevate soccer's profile in a nation increasingly focused on baseball and football. Nevertheless, this Olympic campaign laid the groundwork for future American participation in international competition and established. The standards of courage and determination would come to characterize U.S. soccer on the world stage.

First Win Over Mexico

On This Day in 1934, Donelli's Four Goals Propelled America to the World Cup Finals in Italy

As the United States entered the 1934 World Cup qualifying campaign, expectations were tempered by the organizational challenges and financial constraints of the Depression era. American soccer had weathered significant turmoil since its impressive showing at the inaugural 1930 World Cup, where the team had reached the semifinals. The once-mighty American Soccer League had declined dramatically, and the U.S. Soccer Football Association (USSFA) struggled to maintain its footing amid economic hardship.

The qualifying process for the 1934 tournament was marked by confusion worldwide. FIFA had implemented a new knockout format requiring 32 teams to qualify for 16 spots. In the Americas, only four nations entered: Cuba, Haiti, Mexico, and the United States. After Cuba advanced past Haiti but fell to Mexico, the stage was set for a decisive Mexico-USA showdown to determine which North American team would represent the region in Italy.

The American preparation was characteristically rushed and disorganized. Elmer Schroeder, who had become the USSFA's first American-born president, took on the additional role of team manager. Schroeder selected David Gould, a Scottish-born coach from the University of Pennsylvania, to lead the squad. Player selection consisted of three exhibition matches—hardly sufficient to build cohesion for international competition.

The team was chosen after one tryout game between the German-Americans of Philadelphia and a selection of the best professional players from other teams. The final 19-man roster featured a mix of professionals and amateurs, with just four veterans from the 1930 World Cup squad: Billy Gonsalves, Thomas Florie, George Moorhouse and Jimmy Gallagher.

The most unexpected addition to the team came from western Pennsylvania—Aldo "Buff" Donelli, an amateur player who had driven "flying down Route 22 from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia" just to attend the tryouts. Despite his impressive record with the Curry Silver Tops and Heidelberg club, Donelli faced resistance from the established professionals, who viewed the coal country amateur skeptically.

"There was a clique among the New England and St. Louis players," Donelli later recalled, "and they wanted to keep me out of the lineup." It reportedly took an ultimatum from star player Gonsalves—"If you don't play Donelli, I'm not playing!"—to secure his position in the starting eleven.

On May 24, the Americans faced Mexico at Rome's Stadio Nazionale del PNF before 10,000 spectators, including Italian dictator Benito Mussolini and U.S. Ambassador Breckenridge Long. FIFA's curious decision to stage this qualifying match in Italy just days before the tournament meant the winner would stay for the World Cup proper while the loser would make the long journey home after just one match. A day before the game, members of the team met Pope Pius. Elmer A. Schroeder, president of the United States Football Association, headed the party.

The Americans took the field with a physical advantage but a technical disadvantage. The New York Times reported, "The Mexican players appeared to be technically superior to the Americans, but they were all of much slighter build and obliged to yield to the more vigorous game of their heavier opponents."

Donelli wasted little time making his mark. In the 15th minute, American defender Czerkiewicz intercepted a Mexican pass and delivered a long ball to Donelli, who broke away from his defenders. "I was able to go around the man very easily," Donelli remembered. "One opponent fell as he ran after me, and I had no problem beating the goalie." The Americans led 1-0.

Mexico equalized in the 22nd minute through Alonso, but the Americans quickly reclaimed the lead. McLean found Donelli on the left flank, and the center forward struck a clean shot along the ground past Mexican goalkeeper Navarro. The Americans took a 2-1 lead into halftime.

The match turned further in the Americans' favor in the second half when Mexican defender Azpiri was ejected for attempting to stop Donelli with his hands. With the numerical advantage, the U.S. capitalized when Nilsen slipped a pass to Donelli, who broke away from two defenders. He ripped a shot on the run, and Navarro made no attempt to stop it, extending the lead to 3-1.

Mexico managed to pull one back to make it 3-2, but Donelli wasn't finished. He sealed his historic performance with a fourth goal after receiving a pass from Florie. He confused the opposing defenders with a quick shot between two of them that snuck into the net. The final whistle confirmed a 4-2 American victory. Donelli became the second player in U.S. Soccer history to score four goals in a single international match, matching Archie Stark's feat against Canada in 1925.

As reported in the press, Mussolini "warmly congratulated United States Ambassador Long, who sat on his right, on the success of his countrymen." The Americans had earned the right to face the host nation in the World Cup proper.

Three days later, the jubilation turned to stark reality when the Americans met Italy at the same venue. Before 25,000 partisan fans and with Mussolini again in attendance, the technically superior Italians, bolstered by naturalized Argentine stars Luisito Monti and Raimundo Orsi, raced to a 3-0 halftime lead. The Italians were particularly focused on neutralizing the American scoring threat.

"Monti! I can still see him," Donelli later recalled. "Because I scored four goals against Mexico, Monti would not let me alone. He was tough, and he was a big man."

Despite the close marking, Donelli managed one moment of brilliance ten minutes into the second half. "There was a mix-up in their play, and the ball just came loose," he explained. "I was in back of the play and instead of dribbling it up, which normally almost everybody would have done, take another step to the right and then take a shot, I didn't take any steps. I just took a shot from there, and I put it up in the far left corner." It was the Americans' lone goal in a 7-1 defeat.

"Losing to Italy was no disgrace," Billy Gonsalves told reporters after the tournament. "They went on to win the World Cup. We complimented ourselves on getting that one lonely goal against a team of that caliber, world-class players from two world-class soccer powers."

The victory over Mexico and a respectable showing against the eventual champions caught the attention of European clubs. Donelli received a $5,000 offer from Lazio to remain in Italy—a considerable sum during the Depression—while Gonsalves fielded interest from multiple European sides. Both declined, sensing the troubled political climate in fascist Italy.

Upon returning home, Donelli largely abandoned soccer for American football, eventually becoming the head coach at Duquesne University and later for the Pittsburgh Steelers. His brief but brilliant international soccer career—just two games with five goals—is one of the most efficient in U.S. Soccer history.

Despite the team's brief participation, the 1934 World Cup campaign marked an important milestone in American soccer. The victory over Mexico established what would become North America's fiercest soccer rivalry. At the same time, the physical, determined American style demonstrated that even with limited resources and preparation, U.S. players could compete on the world stage.

For the financially struggling USSFA, the tournament provided needed revenue but did little to elevate soccer's profile in a nation increasingly focused on baseball, college football, and the emerging professional gridiron game. It would be another 16 years before the United States would again qualify for the World Cup, making this fleeting Roman triumph a bright spot in an otherwise challenging period for American soccer.

Cardoso's European Final Focus Amid Transfer Rumors

Midfielder Preps for the Final La Liga Match and Conference League Final, While Atlético Madrid Show Interest 

Johnny Cardoso finds himself at the center of a transfer storm as Real Betis prepare for their final La Liga match against Valencia on Friday. Still, the United States international remains laser-focused on making history with his current club.

Despite being Atlético Madrid's primary midfield target for the summer window, Cardoso has maintained his composure ahead of Betis' crucial Conference League final against Chelsea next Wednesday. "My mentality is here now," the 23-year-old stated during UEFA's Open Media Day, emphasizing his commitment to the present rather than speculation about his future.

Diego Simeone has identified the New Jersey-born midfielder as the ideal solution to Atlético's long-standing need for a defensive midfielder. After failed attempts to sign Atalanta's Éderson and limited success with Arthur Vermeeren, who was loaned to Leipzig after just seven months, Simeone sees Cardoso as the perfect blend of youth and La Liga experience.

The financial dynamics are complex, with Cardoso carrying an €80 million release clause, though sources suggest this figure is negotiable. However, Tottenham Hotspur holds a priority option on the USMNT star, potentially complicating any potential deal with Atlético.

Cardoso's immediate focus remains on Wednesday's Conference League final in Poland, where Betis could claim their first-ever European trophy. The midfielder briefly missed training this week due to a minor knock but quickly reassured fans, stating, "I'm fine, everything is going very well."

With his family, including his parents and girlfriend, traveling to Poland for support, Cardoso dreams of scoring in the final while maintaining his professional focus. Tonight's match against Valencia serves as Betis' final preparation for their European showdown, with the club having secured sixth place and qualification for the Europa League next season. The fixture has been moved to Friday to give Betis extra preparation time, though this decision has frustrated Chelsea's management.

Serie A Finale

American Contingent in Italy Ready for Final Matches

Serie A concludes its dramatic 2024-25 campaign, and several United States internationals will be center stage in pivotal final-day fixtures that could define their clubs' European ambitions and relegation battles.

AC Milan hosts relegated Monza at San Siro on Saturday, with Americans Christian Pulisic and Yunus Musah looking to salvage some pride from a catastrophic season. For the first time since 2015-16, Milan will finish outside European qualification, currently sitting ninth after a late-season collapse that included a Coppa Italia final defeat to Bologna and a crushing loss at Roma.

The Rossoneri face an embarrassing backdrop as their ultras plan to walk out after 15 minutes. Milan risk equaling their lowest home win total in a 21st-century season, needing a victory to avoid matching their dismal eight home victories from 2007-08 and 2020-21.

Pulisic, who requested time off from USMNT Gold Cup duties after a grueling season, will likely feature in manager Sergio Conceição's possible starting lineup alongside Musah in midfield. The Americans will hope to end their disappointing campaign on a positive note against a Monza side that has managed just three wins from 37 matches - one of the worst tallies in Serie A history.

Sunday's marquee fixture sees Venezia host Juventus at Stadio Penzo, featuring a fascinating USMNT subplot as Weston McKennie and Tim Weah face off against Gianluca Busio in a match with enormous stakes.

Juventus need just one point to secure Champions League football, with McKennie expected to start despite limping off with an ankle injury last week. The versatile midfielder has been crucial to Juve's push for fourth place, while Weah will miss the Gold Cup due to Club World Cup commitments with the Bianconeri.

On the opposite side, Busio anchors Venezia's midfield as the Lagunari fight for Serie A survival. Sitting 19th and two points from safety, Venezia must beat Juventus and hope other results go their way to avoid immediate relegation back to Serie B. It would be their first top-flight home victory over Juventus since 1962.

Weah and Lille Win Ligue 1

On This Day in 2021, Lille Beat Angers on the Final Day to Dethrone PSG, Making Weah the First American Winner

The spring of 2021 brought a triumphant conclusion to a long road of recovery and redemption for Timothy Weah. As Lille's team bus pulled into the Stade Raymond Kopa on May 23, the 21-year-old American forward could sense history within reach. After a season-long battle against French football powerhouse Paris Saint-Germain—Weah's former club—Lille stood on the precipice of an achievement few had thought possible when the campaign began nine months earlier.

For Weah personally, the 2020-21 season represented a rebirth. After transferring from PSG to Lille for €10 million in June 2019, the promising American had seen his debut season in northern France cruelly derailed by back-to-back hamstring injuries, limiting him to just three appearances. The first setback came against Amiens, sidelining him for six months, before a heartbreaking recurrence during his comeback match against Marseille effectively ended his season. By March 2020, he was in Finland undergoing surgery with specialist Lasse Lempainen, facing an uncertain future.

Yet as the 2020-21 campaign dawned, Weah emerged with renewed determination. His return came during Lille's second match of the season against Reims, a modest 16-minute cameo that signaled the beginning of his true Lille career. Progress came incrementally, with moments of brilliance punctuating his recovery journey. In December, he netted his first Europa League goal for Lille in a bittersweet 3-2 defeat against his former club Celtic. He claimed his maiden Ligue 1 strike days later, securing a 2-0 victory over Dijon on December 16.

Throughout the season, manager Christophe Galtier deployed Weah strategically across the front line—sometimes as a central forward, other times on either wing. Though not always a starter, the son of Liberian legend George Weah embraced his role, providing energetic performances whether given 15 minutes or a full half. His versatility proved invaluable as Lille mounted an increasingly credible title challenge against PSG's star-studded squad.

By spring, what had seemed improbable was becoming possible. A pivotal 1-0 victory at the Parc des Princes on April 3 gave Lille control of their destiny. As veteran defender José Fonte revealed, that triumph silenced doubters "counting us out." The win fostered belief throughout the squad, including among rotation players like Weah, who played 55 minutes in that win over PSG and understood that every small contribution was vital to the collective goal.

As May 23 approached, Lille's lead over PSG had narrowed to a single point. The mathematics were simple: win against Angers and claim the title regardless of PSG's result against Brest. Though Weah watched from the bench that Sunday afternoon, the tension was palpable as his teammates took the field at the Stade Raymond Kopa.

The breakthrough came quickly. Canadian striker Jonathan David, who had formed a lethal partnership with veteran Turkish forward Burak Yılmaz throughout the campaign, latched onto Renato Sanches's precise pass in the 10th minute, slotting the ball home to give Lille an early lead. As half-time approached, Yılmaz, Lille's player of the season, doubled the advantage from the penalty spot after David was fouled by Angers goalkeeper Paul Bernardoni.

Though Angelo Fulgini's injury-time header provided a moment of anxiety, Lille's 2-1 victory was never truly in jeopardy. Celebrations erupted among the players, coaching staff, and the small contingent of traveling supporters when the final whistle blew. Weah, despite not featuring in the match, was at the heart of the festivities, embracing teammates with whom he had forged a special bond during a challenging but ultimately glorious season.

The title represented a seismic achievement in French football. Lille had dethroned PSG with a fraction of the resources—the Qatari-backed Parisians' budget dwarfed Lille's modest finances. With just three defeats across the entire league campaign and a club-record 83 points, Lille had authored one of the most remarkable underdog stories in modern European football.

For Lille, it was their fourth top-flight championship and first since Eden Hazard inspired them to glory a decade earlier in 2011. For Weah, though technically his third Ligue 1 medal after playing minor roles in PSG's 2018 and 2019 triumphs, this one carried incomparably more significance, having made 28 league appearances and scored three crucial goals despite not starting the season finale.

The chemistry within Lille's squad had proven decisive throughout the campaign. As Fonte had noted earlier, the diverse mix of nationalities and backgrounds had become a strength rather than a hindrance. Young talents were guided by experienced heads in a close-knit group that gave itself entirely to Galtier's tactical vision.

"Everybody in the dressing room speaks French," Fonte had explained. "We give ourselves to the other cultures and we give ourselves to them, and they try to know about us. So there's a great chemistry between us."

For Weah, the summer of 2021 promised no respite. Within days of Lille's triumph, he was already preparing to join the United States Men's National Team for their May 30 friendly against Switzerland. The following day, coach Gregg Berhalter named him to the 23-man squad for the CONCACAF Nations League final four in Denver—an inaugural tournament featuring heavyweight clashes against Honduras and potentially Mexico or Costa Rica.

Weah's inclusion in a star-studded American lineup that included Christian Pulisic (fresh from winning the Champions League with Chelsea), Weston McKennie, Gio Reyna and Sergiño Dest spoke volumes about his standing within a "golden generation" of American talent. Despite his interrupted club season, Berhalter valued Weah's experience, technical ability, and the winning mentality he had cultivated at Lille.

Looking ahead to the 2021-22 campaign, Weah faced new challenges. Champions League football awaited Lille, testing them against Europe's elite clubs. Meanwhile, the August 1 Trophée des Champions clash against PSG offered an immediate opportunity to claim more silverware and further cement Lille's status as France's new football force.

For the American, whose career had already encompassed stints at three of Europe's most storied clubs—PSG, Celtic, and now Lille—the title triumph represented both validation and a launching pad. At just 21, with injury struggles seemingly behind him and a championship medal around his neck, Timothy Weah's journey was far from complete. Still, his place in Lille's unlikely success story was forever secured.

Premier League Final Day

Americans Set for Season Finale in English Top Flight

As the Premier League reaches its dramatic conclusion this Sunday, several United States internationals will take center stage in crucial final-day fixtures that could define their clubs' campaigns, with their summer plans already sorted.

The weekend's marquee matchup sees newly crowned FA Cup champions Crystal Palace travel to Anfield to face Premier League winners Liverpool. Americans Chris Richards and Matt Turner, fresh from their historic Wembley triumph over Manchester City, will look to cap their remarkable season with a strong performance against Arne Slot's title winners.

Palace manager Oliver Glasner described the fixture as "when the league winner meets the FA Cup winner - it's a great ending of the season." However, the Eagles will be without captain Marc Guéhi due to an eye injury sustained during the FA Cup Final, potentially giving Richards increased responsibility in defense.

At the Vitality Stadium, Tyler Adams and AFC Bournemouth host relegated Leicester City in their bid to secure a ninth-place finish, matching their best-ever Premier League position from 2016-17. The Cherries have enjoyed what they describe as another record-breaking season, achieving their highest goal tally and breaking their points record for consecutive seasons.

Adams has been integral to Bournemouth's impressive campaign, which included memorable victories over Arsenal, Southampton, and Manchester City, plus their best-ever away record in Premier League history.

Meanwhile, Antonee Robinson, who will miss out at the Gold Cup this summer, and Fulham face Manchester City in a fixture where the Cottagers will look to end their 19-game winless streak against Pep Guardiola's side, dating back to 2009. Fulham could also finish as high as ninth with a victory on Sunday.

Bold Gold Cup Roster

Pochettino Signals Cultural Reset Before the Last Tournament Before the World Cup

Mauricio Pochettino has delivered a clear message to the United States men's national team: no player's World Cup spot is guaranteed. The Argentine coach's 27-player roster for upcoming friendlies against Turkey and Switzerland, which serves as preparation for the Gold Cup, conspicuously omits several established stars while opening doors for fresh talent.

Most notably absent is Christian Pulisic, who requested time off after logging over 3,500 minutes in a grueling European season while battling nagging injuries, including a chronic hip flexor problem. Other core players missing include Weston McKennie, Timothy Weah, Giovanni Reyna, Antonee Robinson, and Yunus Musah due to various factors, including Club World Cup commitments and injury concerns.

Rather than viewing these absences as setbacks, Pochettino frames them as opportunities. "I think it's important to create this challenge," he stated, emphasizing that newcomers must be "desperate to come, to perform" and understand this could be their "last possibility to be with us."

The roster features five uncapped players, including intriguing first-time call-ups like Orlando City defender Alex Freeman (son of NFL legend Antonio Freeman), Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Sebastian Berhalter (son of former USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter), FC Köln forward Damion Downs, and Philadelphia Union midfielder Quinn Sullivan.

Pochettino's philosophy centers on cultivating a winning culture where players arrive at camp entirely focused on national team duties. He has explicitly rejected any complacent attitudes, demanding total commitment from the first day of training camp.

With Major League Soccer providing 16 players—the highest number for a FIFA window since 2023—this roster represents both opportunity and warning. As the 2026 World Cup approaches on home soil, Pochettino is reshaping team culture while challenging every player to earn their place through performance and dedication rather than past accomplishments.