The US at Italia '90

On This Day in 1990, the Americans Held Their Own Against the Host of the World Cup, Their Brightest Moment of the Tournament

The spring of 1990 had been a mixed bag for the United States Men's National Soccer Team. Following their dramatic qualification for their first World Cup in 40 years, the Americans struggled to find consistency in their preparatory matches. A brutal loss to the Soviet Union at Stanford Stadium had exposed their limitations, while unconvincing performances against teams like Malta left observers questioning whether they belonged on the world's biggest soccer stage.

On May 15, coach Bob Gansler announced his 22-man World Cup squad without surprises. At an average age of just 23, it was among the youngest teams ever to compete in a World Cup finals. Most were college products who had been together for over a year, building chemistry through shared struggles and modest successes. Before departing for Italy, they would play three final preparatory matches, starting with a game against Yugoslavian club Partizan Belgrade in New Haven, followed by a trip to Switzerland for games against Liechtenstein and Switzerland.

The performances on European soil continued to expose American deficiencies. An unconvincing 4-1 victory over Liechtenstein—a team that hadn't fielded a squad in nearly six years—offered little encouragement. More troubling was a 2-1 defeat to Switzerland in St. Gallen, where Gansler's team took an early lead before retreating into a defensive shell that eventually imploded. Rather than being chastened, the pragmatic coach stressed he wouldn't hesitate to employ similar tactics in Italy.

The Americans' World Cup base camp in Tirrenia proved to be a far cry from the luxurious accommodations they had expected. Originally scheduled to train at Italy's pristine Coverciano facility alongside the host nation, they were relocated when the draw placed them in the same group as Italy. The alternative was an Olympic training center that players described as "like a prison."

"It was almost like a compound," recalled forward Bruce Murray. Armed guards patrolled the perimeter, and players needed escorts to leave the facility. The contrast with other teams was stark—while television showed major nations emerging from posh hotels, the Americans found themselves in dormitory-style rooms with substandard food and minimal amenities.

The Americans' World Cup debut on June 10 in Florence was a disaster of epic proportions. Gansler had decided to attack Czechoslovakia, viewing them as the most beatable opponent in a group that included favored Italy and rising Austria. The decision to deploy striker Eric Wynalda as an attacking midfielder—despite his limited defensive skills and volatile temperament—proved calamitous. 

For 15 minutes, hope flickered as the Americans held their own. Then reality struck with crushing force. The Czechs' aerial dominance, led by towering striker Tomas Skuhravy, overwhelmed the young Americans. Jozef Chovanec's whipped corners caused havoc, leading to two penalties. Wynalda's lack of discipline culminated in a red card for a needless shove, leaving his teammates a man down.

The 5-1 humiliation left the Americans shell-shocked. "The game was a lot harder than we expected," admitted defender Desmond Armstrong. "From a technical aspect, they were a lot better than we thought." Goalkeeper Tony Meola's anguish was palpable: "I never gave up five goals at Kearny. Heck, in that town, giving up one goal was bad enough."

The aftermath of the Czech debacle was brutal. Italian newspapers savaged the Americans, with Corriere della Sera declaring, "USA, What a Delusion." Former Italian star Giorgio Chinaglia predicted the Americans would be routed, suggesting Italian forwards would have "great occasion to dance" against such weak opposition. One German journalist even asked Gansler what would constitute an acceptable margin of defeat—five goals or six?

Also, the isolation at Tirrenia was taking its toll. After weeks of confinement, tensions boiled over during a training session after the Czech match when Murray and Eric Eichmann came to blows in a melee that saw "the entire team throwing punches" around the goal. "It was letting steam off," reflected midfielder Peter Vermes. The incident, rather than concerning Gansler, seemed to convince him his young team had the competitive edge they would desperately need.

The journey to Rome for the June 14 match against Italy felt like a funeral procession. Helicopters shadowed their bus, while armed police escorts cleared tollbooths without stopping. Most ominously, Italian fans lined the roadside holding up ten fingers—their prediction for Italy's winning margin. Team morale had cratered during their extended stay in Tirrenia. The Americans called a players-only meeting in a Rome hotel ballroom the day before the match. Captain John Stollmeyer delivered a profanity-laced speech that teammates later described as setting records for F-bombs per minute. "I basically called anybody out who was whining and moping," Stollmeyer recalled. "I said: 'We are here for us, and let's just go out there and play.'"

The tactical adjustment was radical. Gone was any pretense of attacking ambition. Gansler deployed a defensive system designed to frustrate Italy's creative players and prevent another humiliation. With Wynalda suspended, the lineup prioritized defensive solidity over offensive threat. On that evening at Rome's Stadio Olimpico, 73,000 expectant Italian fans anticipated a goal festival. What they witnessed instead was one of the most courageous defensive performances in World Cup history.

Italy struck early, as expected. In the 11th minute, Giuseppe Giannini exploited a defensive breakdown, slicing between Mike Windischmann and John Harkes before beating Tony Meola with a gorgeous finish. The match and the World Cup as a whole were a homecoming for Meola, whose parents were born in Italy before relocating to the United States during their adolescent years. Gianluca Vialli's clever back-heel had set up the play, showcasing exactly the kind of intricate combination the Americans feared.

But instead of collapsing as they had against Czechoslovakia, the Americans rallied. Their defensive structure held firm, with sweeper Windischmann and the newcomers Gansler had inserted—Jimmy Banks, Marcelo Balboa, and John Doyle—disrupting Italy's rhythm. Tab Ramos was brilliant in midfield, his ball-handling skills matching anything the Italians could produce.

The Americans' defensive resilience began to frustrate both the Italian team and their supporters. The crowd's initial enthusiasm turned to nervous energy as wave after wave of Italian attacks broke against the American defense. The tactical gamble was working—Italy, expected to score at will, found themselves limited to long-range efforts and half-chances.

The match's pivotal moment came in the 33rd minute when Paul Caligiuri committed a foul in the penalty area. Vialli stepped up to take what seemed like a certain goal, but his effort struck the base of the post, bouncing harmlessly away. The miss sent a collective gasp through the stadium and injected belief into American hearts.

As the second half progressed, something remarkable began to happen. The Americans, far from merely surviving, started to threaten. Their best chance came in the 70th minute when Murray's free kick from 24 yards sailed over the Italian wall. Goalkeeper Walter Zenga made a spectacular save, but the rebound fell perfectly to Vermes just six yards from goal.

"From six yards out, Peter hits it and it hits both of Zenga's ankles," Murray recalled. "The ball starts spinning on the line. In slow motion, you could see the ball spinning." The ball was cleared off the line, but for a moment, an impossible dream had seemed within reach.

As the final whistle approached, the jeers from the Italian crowd grew louder. Their team had managed just one goal against opponents they had expected to demolish. The Americans had achieved something far more valuable than a victory—they had earned respect.

The aftermath of the 1-0 defeat was unlike anything the American players had experienced. As they sat in their locker room, still processing what they had accomplished, an unprecedented scene unfolded. The entire Italian team, led by legends like Paolo Maldini, Roberto Baggio, and Franco Baresi, entered the American dressing room.

"I've never had that happen in my entire life," Murray reflected. "These are superstars... That was incredible." The Italian players wanted to exchange jerseys and offered words of encouragement to their counterparts. A spokesman for the Italian team delivered a message that would resonate for years: "We want you to know that your country should be proud of you."

The respect was mutual and immediate. Players traded not just jerseys but practice gear, with everyone eager to commemorate the match. The transformation in public perception was immediate and visible. On the journey back to Tirrenia, the same Italian fans who had held up ten fingers now offered thumbs up and applause. By the next day, American and Italian flags flew side by side throughout the region.

With their World Cup hopes already dashed, the Americans faced Austria in their final group match. The performance was spirited but ultimately unsuccessful, losing 2-1 despite playing with a man advantage for most of the game after Peter Artner's early dismissal. Bruce Murray scored in the dying minutes to provide a respectable scoreline, but the Americans had been outplayed by opponents who themselves would advance no further.

The final record—three losses, zero points—told only part of the story. The Americans had lost their three matches by a combined score of 8-2, but the progression from the Czech catastrophe to near-heroics against Italy demonstrated remarkable growth and resilience. The 1990 World Cup represented far more than a learning experience for American soccer. The team's journey from humiliation to respectability in just four days captured the nation's attention, which had been largely indifferent to the sport. Their courage in the face of overwhelming odds, particularly against Italy, provided a template for future generations.

The experience opened doors for American players in Europe and helped pave the way for the eventual launch of Major League Soccer. Most importantly, it proved that American soccer players, while lacking the technical sophistication of their European counterparts, possessed the heart and determination to compete at the highest level. Gansler's faith in young American talent had been justified. Though he would be replaced after the tournament, his legacy lived on in the careers of players like Harkes, Ramos, and Wynalda, who became cornerstones of American soccer for the next decade.

The 1990 World Cup had ended in defeat, but it marked the beginning of American soccer's modern era. In the cauldron of Rome's Stadio Olimpico, against the world's most passionate soccer nation, a team of college kids had proven they belonged on the world's biggest stage.

USA vs Trinidad: A Brief History

The US Has Dominated the Series, but the Split in 2023 Raises Concerns

The rivalry between the United States and Trinidad and Tobago spans over four decades, with the Americans holding a commanding 22-4-4 (WDL) overall record. However, the series has produced some of the most memorable and painful moments in U.S. soccer history.

The relationship began positively for the Americans with a 2-1 victory in Port of Spain on March 21, 1982. The most celebrated encounter came on November 19, 1989, when Paul Caligiuri's "Shot Heard Round the World" delivered a 1-0 victory that sent the United States to their first World Cup since 1950. That historic goal in Port of Spain marked the beginning of American soccer's modern era.

For nearly three decades, the U.S. dominated this matchup, winning consistently across World Cup qualifiers and friendly matches. The Americans maintained their superiority through multiple cycles, building what seemed like an insurmountable psychological advantage over the Soca Warriors.

Everything changed on October 10, 2017, in Couva, Trinidad. In one of the most shocking results in CONCACAF history, Trinidad and Tobago defeated the United States 2-1, eliminating the Americans from 2018 World Cup qualification. Alvin Jones and Omar Gonzalez's own goal crushed American dreams, ending a streak of seven consecutive World Cup appearances despite Christian Pulisic's late goal.

The teams' recent encounters have been equally dramatic. The U.S. exacted revenge with a dominant 6-0 Gold Cup victory in July 2023, as Jesús Ferreira scored a hat-trick in Charlotte. However, Trinidad proved that the result was an anomaly in their November 2023 Nations League quarterfinal meetings.

After winning the first leg 3-0 with late goals from Ricardo Pepi, Antonee Robinson, and Gio Reyna, the Americans appeared to have restored normal order. But in the return leg, Trinidad stunned the U.S. again with a 2-1 victory, helped by Sergino Dest's red card, proving they remain America's most unpredictable opponent.

Trinidad Preview

Caribbean Nation Ready to Surprise the Host Nation of the Gold Cup

As the United States prepares for its Gold Cup opener against Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday at PayPal Park in California, the "Soca Warriors," as they're nicknamed, have confidence despite being clear underdogs.

Trinidad just secured qualification for the final round of the 2026 World Cup qualifying, boosting morale heading into this clash. Led by new coach Dwight Yorke, the former Manchester United striker who's demanding higher standards from his squad, Trinidad and Tobago believes they can exploit America's recent struggles.

While the U.S. has lost four straight matches, including Tuesday's humiliating 4-0 defeat to Switzerland, Trinidad and Tobago midfielder Ajani Fortune expressed complete confidence his team can "get a result" against CONCACAF's highest-ranked nation. The 22-year-old Atlanta United player has been finding his rhythm internationally, recently scoring in a 6-2 victory over St. Kitts and Nevis.

Trinidad and Tobago's recent form has been mixed, losing three of their last four matches while conceding 11 goals. However, they've shown resilience in the Gold  Cup competition, remaining unbeaten in their previous two tournament openers without allowing a goal. Historically, when the Soca Warriors score first in Gold Cup group play, they rarely lose.

The team will be without injured midfielder Josiah Trimmingham, but veteran defender Joevin Jones is approaching his 100th international appearance. Striker Levi Garcia, who has 10 international goals, provides the main attacking threat.

This marks Trinidad and Tobago's fourth consecutive Gold Cup appearance, though they haven't advanced from the group stage since 2015. Their last victory over the United States came in the 2023 Nations League, proving they can trouble American sides when conditions align.

Swiss Dominate Americans

Four First-Half Goals Were the Difference in USMNT's Defeat

The United States Men's National Team suffered a devastating 4-0 defeat to Switzerland at GEODIS Park in Nashville on Tuesday night, marking a historic low point for American soccer. The loss represented the team's fourth consecutive defeat, their longest losing streak since 2007, and the most goals conceded in a first half in over four decades.

Switzerland dominated from the opening minutes, with Dan Ndoye opening the scoring in the 13th minute after a deflected pass found him in space. The experienced Swiss side, ranked 20th in FIFA's world rankings, capitalized on their veteran presence against a largely inexperienced American lineup. Michel Aebischer doubled the lead in the 23rd minute following excellent work from Johan Manzambi, who tormented the U.S. defense throughout the evening.

The nightmare continued as Breel Embolo scored from close range in the 33rd minute after Matt Turner failed to hold the routine save. Manzambi added the fourth goal just three minutes later, firing into the top corner to complete a humiliating first-half performance that left the 20,602 fans booing their team off the field.

Coach Mauricio Pochettino had made nine changes from Saturday's lineup against Turkey, giving opportunities to younger players including Sebastian Berhalter, son of former coach Gregg Berhalter, who made his national team debut. The defeat highlighted significant concerns ahead of the CONCACAF Gold Cup, which begins June 15 against Trinidad and Tobago. With the 2026 World Cup approaching, the USMNT faces mounting pressure after Switzerland held them without a single shot on goal.

Moore's Goal the Difference in Another Victory Over Argentina

On This Day in 1999, Moore Helped to Transition the US Between 1998 World Cup Failure and 2002 Success, Highlighted By This Goal Against a Famous Opponent

The 1998 World Cup was a disaster for the US Men’s National Team. Some players on the team pointed fingers, mainly at the manager, Steve Sampson. Joe-Max Moore didn’t, acknowledging that one goal in three matches was not good enough. Moore started in two of the three games in France, concluding with the 1-0 defeat to Yugoslavia on Thursday, June 25. Two days later, he played the full 90 minutes for the New England Revolution in a shootout defeat to the Dallas Burn.

Moore remained optimistic, believing this Revolution team could make a run in the second half of the season. That’s admirable coming from someone whose national team just finished last at the World Cup, and New England wasn’t playing much better. The tournament hadn’t even had a Round-of-16 match played before Moore was back in the MLS grind, where his Revolution would finish last in 1998. Moore finished fourth in the league in assists with 11. After the MLS season concluded, Bruce Arena was hired as the new USMNT manager in late October. Despite the poor results over the summer, Arena kept a few World Cup veterans around, including Moore, who played in three of the first four matches under the new manager.

Moore was selected for the roster for the 1999 US Cup, which was scheduled for March. Again, Arena selected a more inexperienced squad in the opening match against Guatemala, with seven starters having less than five caps. But Moore was included in the starting XI and scored the opener in the 22nd minute in the 3-1 victory. A lapse in judgment saw Moore sent off after he shoved Erick Miranda following a kickout on a clearance late in the match — Miranda also received a red card. Moore missed the final, which Mexico won 2-1.

On April 27, the US Soccer Federation announced the friendly with Argentina for June 13 at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C., with the US playing another friendly in Buenos Aires on a later date to be determined (this match never actually took place). Argentina was preparing for the Copa America in July, while the US would play in the fourth edition of the Confederations Cup after qualifying as 1998 Gold Cup runners-up, thanks to Mexico hosting the tournament. Argentina was considered a world power, boasting two World Cup trophies at the time, and more recently, was the Copa America champions in 1991 and 1993. At the 1998 World Cup, the Argentinians dominated their group with three victories before beating England in the Round of 16 on penalties. Argentina fell in the quarterfinals to the Netherlands. Before the match, the US had only one win in five against their South American opponent, and that one win came four years prior in the Copa América.

With Brian McBride out with an injury (though he played for the Columbus Crew that same day), Roy Lassiter, who was recalled after missing the US Cup, was expected to partner with Moore up front. But instead, Arena went with Earnie Stewart and Cobi Jones at the head of a 3-5-2 system. There was some commotion about a 17-year-old in camp possibly making his debut, but Landon Donovan would have to wait for another day. Argentina wasn’t fielding its best squad, but Diego Simone, Javier Zanetti and Mauricio Pochettino were in the starting XI for Marcelo Bielsa’s men.

The US was in control for the first half hour of the match, which included multiple chances but nothing clear-cut. Argentina grew into the match, but the Americans continued to apply the pressure in the first half. Claudio Reyna, whose father came to the US from Argentina in 1968, was a bright spot for the US. The ABC broadcast, featuring Bob Ley, even mentioned him being a new father, as Jack was born two months earlier. The Argentinians started to create a few chances, and in the 37th minute, Zanetti was played in on goal down the left but skied his chip over the crossbar. A couple of minutes later, CJ Brown brought down Gustavo Lopez right on the line of the box. The referee pointed to the spot, despite the appeals. Lopez stepped up to the spot against US goalkeeper Kasey Keller. Keller, earning his 34th cap, guessed correctly and dove to his left. The penalty from Lopez was poor, and Keller held on to keep the match goalless. Keller, who just finished his third season at Leicester City in the Premier League but was now looking for a new club, even made headlines in England for his performance against Argentina.

The Americans came out strong in the second half, similar to the first, and kept the pressure up despite a bit of rain coming down. In the 58th minute, the US had a goal ruled out when Chris Armas played Stewart in on goal, and his chip was lifted over the goalkeeper Germán Burgos, but he was offside. A couple of minutes later, Moore came off the bench to replace the injured Eddie Lewis, and Tony Sanneh flipped over to the left side to allow Moore to come in off the right. Within a few minutes, Moore was let loose and brought down by Pochettino on a counterattack, drawing a yellow card. In the 63rd, Sanneh hit the corner of the post and the crossbar on a header off a set-piece by Reyna. A minute later, Keller was drawn into action again, diving fully extended to his right to deny Hugo Ibarra.

The events continued as Keller was again called into action to stop a shot from Kily Gonzalez, who was in on goal. This was vintage Keller, drawing comparisons during the broadcast to his performance against Brazil a year and a half earlier. In the 69th minute, Gregg Berhalter replaced Robin Fraser along the backline. DC favorite Lassiter replaced Jones in the 77th, and the crowd erupted as the moment was starting to build. Arena made some progressive substitutions in the second half, indicating an intention to win the match. The match stalled over the next 10 minutes with just a few shots and one yellow card against Argentina. The rain continued to come down, and in the 87th, Lopez ripped a shot just wide.

On the ensuing goal kick, Sanneh won the header at midfield. Stewart helped it on with his head, and Lassiter put the pressure on the Argentine backline, forcing the loose ball. Stewart collected on the run, took a couple of touches and played the backheel to the on-rushing Moore. The substitute unleashed a first-time shot, beating Burgos to give the US the lead.

“I knew I struck it well and on goal,” Moore said. “When I looked up and saw I had the keeper on the wrong foot, I knew it was a goal.”

There were still two minutes plus stoppage time to hold off the seventh-ranked team in the world. The Americans kept their composure, and after two extra minutes, the result was final, with the US having beaten Argentina for the second time in a row. The other win mentioned on the broadcast was a group-stage upset at the 1995 Copa America. Moore started and provided the assist on Eric Wynalda’s goal in the 3-0 victory. Moore, who made the World Cup roster in 1994 but didn’t play, believed everyone on the team was on the same playing field early in the new cycle.

“I think everybody starts at the same level. I think I’ve got a few years left in me,” Moore said.

Moore made the Confederations Cup roster and scored a splendid free-kick in the 2-0 win over Germany to conclude Group B, escaping the group in second place. This would lead to a third-place finish in the tournament. By the end of the year, Moore was in England playing in the Premier League for Everton. Moore would have another massive moment for the US this cycle, scoring twice in a 2-1 victory in World Cup Qualifying, which sent the team to Japan/South Korea. His second, with the match tied 1-1 in the second, came from the penalty spot. He made the World Cup roster in 2002, coming off the bench twice in the tournament.

Historic Draw With England

On This Day in 2010, Green Flubbed Dempsey's Shot and the Americans Earned a Crucial Point Against England at the World Cup

Following their confidence-building 3-1 victory over Australia just one week earlier, the United States Men's National Team arrived at Royal Bafokeng Stadium for the most anticipated match in American soccer history. The buildup had been unprecedented - a 70½-foot billboard of Clint Dempsey near Penn Station in Manhattan, posters of Landon Donovan along London's Piccadilly Circus, and an estimated 132,000 tickets purchased by Americans, more than any nation outside South Africa.

The English tabloids had dismissed Group C as "E.A.S.Y. - England, Algeria, Slovenia, Yanks," but Bob Bradley's team carried genuine belief after their Confederations Cup success against Spain. Nine Americans had competed in the English Premier League during the season, bringing familiarity and confidence to a matchup that would be the ultimate litmus test of American soccer's standing relative to the world's elite.

Yet questions remained about the American defense, particularly after Tim Cahill had exploited their vulnerabilities against Australia. Center back Oguchi Onyewu had not played a full 90 minutes since rupturing his patellar tendon in October, while England boasted an attack led by Wayne Rooney and supported by midfielders Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and Joe Cole - players capable of punishing any defensive lapse.

Once again, the Americans chased the game within minutes of this June 12 kickoff. Just as they had conceded to Jan Koller of the Czech Republic in the fifth minute four years earlier, the US defense cracked early against England. In the fourth minute, after an England throw-in, Lampard pushed the ball to Emile Heskey, who eluded Jay DeMerit and sliced a pass to Gerrard. The Liverpool captain sprinted free ahead of a momentarily inattentive Ricardo Clark and pushed the ball into the net from 10 yards with the outside of his right foot, past the diving Tim Howard.

The Americans nearly faced an even greater crisis in the 30th minute when Howard charged off his line to challenge Heskey for a cross, only to have the England striker slide into his ribs, studs up. Howard writhed on the turf, and for several tense moments, it appeared the US might lose their goalkeeper.

"He had every right to go for that ball, the same as I did," Howard said. "Initially, I was in a lot of pain. I was going to give myself 5 or 10 minutes to get through it. I felt a lot of discomfort."

Five minutes before halftime, the Americans received the break that defined their World Cup. Twenty-five yards from goal, Clint Dempsey spun to his left, then to his right, separating himself from Gerrard before firing a left-footed shot that seemed harmless enough. England goalkeeper Robert Green positioned himself to make what should have been a routine save. The ball bounced once, then twice, and Green scooped it up on one knee. But as he attempted to gather the ball, it seemed to short-hop him and skidded off his gloves. Green turned to his right and dived desperately, hoping to redeem his mistake, but the ball rolled slowly, agonizingly over the goal line.

"I hit it with my left," Dempsey recalled. "I hit it well, but I hit it right in the center of goal. At the last minute, it did look like it moved a little bit, because these balls move all over the place, but still, it's a shot you'd think the keeper would make a save on. At the same time, I'll take it because that's the second goal I've scored in the World Cup."

For Dempsey, the goal carried special significance. He had become only the second American, after Brian McBride, to score in two World Cups, and he had done so on the sport's biggest stage against one of its most traditional powers.

With the score level, the Americans demonstrated the defensive cohesion that had been their calling card since the Spain upset in the Confederations Cup. Onyewu grew more comfortable and assertive as the match progressed. DeMerit played with characteristic scrappiness, while Cherundolo and Carlos Bocanegra refused to let attackers get behind them. Michael Bradley was particularly effective, dropping deep in midfield to disrupt England's rhythm and provide additional defensive support. The American defense successfully neutralized Rooney, England's most dangerous threat. 

"That's the only way you can make his day difficult," DeMerit explained. "If you let a player like that turn and run at you, you're going to have a long day."

The US nearly completed a stunning upset in the second half. In the 64th minute, Jozy Altidore demonstrated the pace England's defense lacked, outrunning Jamie Carragher with embarrassing ease. But Green, seeking redemption for his earlier error, made some amends by turning Altidore's angled shot onto the post. Howard, playing through his rib injury with the help of a halftime cortisone shot, made several crucial saves to preserve the draw. His steadfast performance provided the foundation for the American resistance.

“This ball’s doing silly things,” Howard said. “Unfortunately, at this level, those things happen. I feel terribly for him, but with goalkeeping, you have to have broad shoulders.”

The 1-1 draw represented more than just a point in the Group C standings—it validated American soccer's progress on the world stage. While not matching the stunning 1-0 upset of 1950, it demonstrated that the US could compete with traditional powers through organization, determination, and tactical discipline.

"The result is terrific," Donovan said afterward. "A few of us were talking about how we're a little disappointed that we didn't play better with the ball, didn't maybe find a way to win the game. Maybe another day we do. I think all things considered, playing one of the best teams in the world, getting a point out of the first game is a big plus."

The performance was characteristically American - full of resolve rather than beauty, with defenders hustling, sliding, diving, and heading away crosses. It was precisely the type of effort that had carried them to success against Spain and would be essential for advancement from the group stage.

"We're glad it's over," Howard said. "We talked about England for six months, a lot of hype and pressure. Now it's about soccer for the Americans."

With Slovenia and Algeria remaining in Group C, the Americans had positioned themselves perfectly for advancement to the Round of 16. The draw with England had provided both confidence and momentum as they prepared for their next challenge.

Balboa's 100th Cap

On This Day in 1995, a Victory Over Nigeria Rekindled Post-World Cup Hope as Balboa Hit the Century Mark in Appearances

Eleven months after the World Cup's final whistle echoed through the Rose Bowl, American soccer found itself at a disturbingly familiar crossroads. The euphoria of hosting the world's most prestigious tournament had faded into skeptical whispers about whether the sport could survive without the spectacle that had temporarily captivated the nation. As the 1995 U.S. Cup opened on a warm afternoon in Foxboro, Massachusetts, the United States Men's National team faced a challenge that extended far beyond defeating Nigeria—they needed to prove that soccer in the United States was more than a fleeting summer romance.

The post-World Cup landscape painted a sobering picture. Major League Soccer, promised as the tournament's lasting legacy, remained a year away from its inaugural season, delayed by financial uncertainties and organizational growing pains. The national team was in flux, with interim coach Steve Sampson trying to fill the considerable void left by Bora Milutinovic's controversial dismissal in April. Most telling of all, the team's record since that magical run to the Round of 16 stood at a dismal 1-2-5 (WDL), casting doubt on whether the World Cup success had been genuine progress or merely home-field advantage.

"We are going to have to prove ourselves again," defender Marcelo Balboa acknowledged before the match, "and prove to the American people that soccer is still alive."

The Super Eagles of Nigeria provided a formidable test for this mission of sporting resurrection. Though fielding only five players from their World Cup squad, the team possessed the pace and technical ability that had made them one of the tournament's most exciting squads. Their youthful lineup, anchored by the mercurial Austin "Jay Jay" Okocha, represented the dynamic attacking force that had troubled American defenses throughout their post-World Cup struggles.

For Sampson, the match offered his first opportunity to implement the more aggressive philosophy he believed would unlock the team's potential. Gone was Milutinovic's cautious pragmatism, replaced by an attacking mindset emphasizing forward movement and creative risk-taking. The challenge was executing this vision while maintaining the defensive discipline that had carried the Americans through their World Cup run.

The opening exchanges of this June 11 match at Foxboro Stadium suggested the Americans might struggle to balance these competing demands. Nigeria struck first in the eighth minute when Okocha seized upon a deflected cross, stepping forward to unleash a 20-yard drive that beat goalkeeper Brad Friedel. The goal was an early reminder of the Super Eagles' pace and opportunism, qualities that had troubled more established opponents.

Yet the American response came swiftly and emphatically, revealing the growing confidence that Sampson had sought to instill. Just two minutes after falling behind, John Harkes collected a pass from Roy Wegerle on the left side, pushed the ball to his right, and struck a 25-yard shot that skipped past Nigerian goalkeeper Peter Rufai for the equalizer.

"They want to play attacking-minded soccer, and I want to play attacking-minded soccer, and I think you saw the result today," Sampson would later reflect, his satisfaction evident in the team's willingness to match Nigeria's aggressive approach.

The first half continued frenetically, with both teams demonstrating the attacking intent that defined the match. Nigeria regained its advantage in the 19th minute through Taiwo Wasiu, who capitalized on a defensive mistake by Mike Burns to strip the ball and score quickly. The goal exposed the vulnerabilities that plagued the Americans in recent months, as individual errors undermined collective progress. Burns, however, would find redemption before the half's end. With seconds remaining on the clock, his swerving free kick from the right side found Balboa at the far post, where the veteran defender rose above two Nigerian defenders to drive home a header that sent the teams to the locker room level at 2-2.

The goal carried significance beyond its equalizing effect. Balboa was playing his 100th international match, becoming the first American to reach this milestone and joining an exclusive club of just 27 players in world soccer history. His celebration was measured, befitting a player who understood both the personal achievement and the broader context of American soccer's ongoing struggle for legitimacy.

"To get the 100th cap and to top it off with a goal and a win, you can't be much happier," Balboa said afterward, though his satisfaction was tempered by an awareness of the work still ahead.

The second half brought the match's decisive moment and perhaps its most symbolic figure. Cobi Jones, introduced as a substitute at halftime, had spent the opening 45 minutes watching his teammates battle Nigeria's speed and skill. When he entered the match, he brought fresh legs and the incisive movement American soccer often lacked in recent months. The winning goal arrived in the 67th minute through a move that embodied Sampson's attacking philosophy. Earnie Stewart, who had created danger throughout the match, made a penetrating run into the right corner before pulling the ball back into the penalty area. As defender Thomas Dooley cleverly stepped over the pass, Jones arrived perfectly timed to strike the ball first time into the left corner of the net.

"I saw an opening when Earnie made the pass, and I looked up and made the decision to shoot," Jones explained. The goal represented more than individual brilliance; it demonstrated the kind of coordinated attacking movement that had been absent from too many American performances since the World Cup.

The final 23 minutes tested the Americans' resolve as Nigeria pressed desperately for an equalizer. Five minutes after Jones' goal, the Super Eagles created two dangerous chances in quick succession. First, Samson Siasia struck a hard shot from the edge of the box that Friedel saved. Moments later, the goalkeeper could only deflect Okocha's effort from the right side, leaving the ball rolling dangerously close to the goal line before Alexi Lalas arrived to clear it away.

Lalas' intervention carried its own dramatic subplot. Just 25 hours earlier, the defender had played 120 minutes for Padova in Italy, helping his club avoid relegation from Serie A in a crucial playoff. His transatlantic journey—Florence to Milan to London to Boston—had brought him to Foxboro Stadium just an hour before kickoff, exhausted but determined to represent his country.

"Playing for the national team isn't important to some people," Lalas said afterward. "For me, it's everything."

His goal-line clearance and steady second-half performance embodied the commitment that Sampson hoped would define this new American team. As the crowd of 22,578 roared its approval, Lalas' intervention preserved not just a lead but a statement about American soccer's resilience.

The victory's significance extended beyond the scoreline. For the first time since the World Cup, the Americans had scored more than two goals in a match, suggesting that Sampson's attacking philosophy might unlock the creative potential constrained under previous management. The 3-2 scoreline also marked just the second time since the World Cup that the team had found the net more than once, a statistic that had haunted their recent struggles.

"When you have good players, you get good results," Sampson observed, though he was careful to credit his predecessor's foundation. "This didn't come together overnight. Bora developed this team over a number of years, and these are the fruits of his labor."

The coach's comments reflected the delicate balance he faced in rebuilding confidence while acknowledging continuity. The players who had succeeded at the World Cup remained the core of this team, but they needed to rediscover the belief that had carried them through that tournament's challenges.

The victory set the stage for the tournament's centerpiece: a clash with Mexico at RFK Stadium in Washington that would test whether this renewed confidence could withstand the pressure of facing their most significant regional rival. Mexico represented everything American soccer aspired to become—a consistent World Cup participant with deep domestic infrastructure and passionate fan support.

"They want to play attacking-minded soccer, and I want to play attacking-minded soccer, and I think you saw the result today. I think it's important not that we start entertaining the American public and showing them what we can do on the field," Sampson emphasized, understanding that each performance carried implications beyond immediate results. The American soccer community watched for signs that the World Cup had created lasting change rather than temporary excitement.

As the teams left Foxboro Stadium, American soccer faced a familiar challenge: maintaining momentum without the spotlight that had made the World Cup so compelling. The crowd of 22,578 was respectable but far from the sold-out spectacles that had defined the previous summer. Major League Soccer remained months away, leaving fans limited opportunities to sustain their interest in the sport.

Yet the victory over Nigeria provided something valuable—evidence that American soccer possessed the foundation for sustained success. Balboa's milestone, Jones' winner, and Lalas' commitment all suggested that the World Cup had created more than temporary enthusiasm. The Americans had demonstrated they could compete with established opponents while playing attractive, attacking soccer.

US Advance at Copa America

On This Day in 2016, The Americans Prove Their Mettle in a Gritty Victory Over Paraguay

After their emphatic 4-0 statement victory over Costa Rica in Chicago, the United States men's national team arrived in Philadelphia with renewed confidence and a clear path to the Copa America Centenario quarterfinals in 2016. The mathematics were simple: avoid defeat against Paraguay at Lincoln Financial Field.

Yet for a team that had been teetering on the brink of elimination just days earlier, nothing about this tournament had proven simple. The specter of their opening defeat to Colombia still loomed, and with it, the mounting pressure on head coach Jurgen Klinsmann, whose job security had become a topic of public discussion following pointed comments from U.S. Soccer Federation President Sunil Gulati about the team's recent disappointments in major competitions.

On the eve of the Paraguay match, Klinsmann embraced the pressure with characteristic defiance. Rather than advocating for defensive caution, the German-born coach promised an aggressive approach that would define his team's character.

"We don't have the character to just sit back and let them come and hope for a counter," Klinsmann declared to reporters. "That's not us. We have to be really involved in the game. We have to set the tone. We have to keep a high level of aggressiveness and keep the determination going from the first second of the game."

The coach's confidence wasn't born from blind optimism but from experience. His team had navigated similar pressure two years earlier in Brazil, emerging from the so-called "Group of Death" at the 2014 World Cup by defeating Ghana and drawing with Portugal. That resilience would be tested again on a warm June 11 evening in Philadelphia, where 37,455 fans gathered to witness whether the Americans could convert their revival into sustained success.

Klinsmann's tactical continuity reflected his confidence in the group. For the third consecutive match, he deployed the same starting eleven, maintaining the 4-4-2 formation that had unlocked Costa Rica's defense. The familiarity bred confidence, particularly for a defense anchored by the emerging partnership of John Brooks and Geoff Cameron, with Brad Guzan providing veteran leadership between the posts.

The early signs suggested Paraguay would test that defensive resolve. Just eleven minutes into the match, the South Americans created the kind of dangerous situation that had plagued the Americans against Colombia. Miguel Almirón spearheaded a swift three-on-one counterattack that should have resulted in the opening goal. Instead, it became the defining moment that announced John Brooks's arrival as a world-class defender.

The 23-year-old center-back, who had endured criticism for inconsistent performances over the previous year, stepped forward with perfect timing and executed a sliding tackle that not only dispossessed Almirón but set the tone for what would become a masterclass in defensive resilience. The play exemplified the growth Klinsmann had long preached, the kind of learning through adversity that transforms promising players into reliable international performers.

"A year ago, a lot of people were very critical of him," Klinsmann would later reflect. "And I said, 'Well, he has to have those experiences. He needs to kind of make mistakes to grow.' There's no growth without failure. And so he grew."

With Paraguay's early threat neutralized, the Americans began to assert their own attacking intentions. Gyasi Zardes and DeAndre Yedlin found space on the flanks, probing for openings in a Paraguay defense that appeared organized but not impenetrable. Clint Dempsey, operating with the freedom that had made him so effective against Costa Rica, drew fouls and created half-chances that suggested the breakthrough would come.

It arrived in the 27th minute through a sequence that perfectly encapsulated the Americans' improved movement and understanding. Zardes, collecting the ball near midfield, accelerated down the left wing with the directness that had become his trademark. Rather than attempting to beat his defender with skill, he used his pace to reach the byline before delivering a low cross that split the Paraguayan defense.

The ball found Dempsey at the penalty spot, exactly where the veteran striker's instincts had positioned him. With the composure that had defined his international career, Dempsey drove the ball past goalkeeper Justo Villar for his second goal of the tournament. The strike not only gave the Americans the lead they desperately needed but also provided Dempsey with another milestone moment in Philadelphia. In this city, he had scored his first international goal eleven years earlier.

"When Clint scored that goal," Zardes said, "it makes things much easier."

The goal transformed the atmosphere at Lincoln Financial Field. On the sidelines, Klinsmann allowed himself a moment of visible relief, his animated celebrations reflecting the weight of expectation that had been lifted from his shoulders. Paraguay's response in the remainder of the first half suggested they would not surrender easily. Darío Lezcano nearly equalized in the 45th minute, advancing on goal only to be denied by Guzan's sharp save at the near post. The close call served as a reminder that the Americans' task was far from complete, despite their tactical dominance.

The second half began with the same measured intensity, both teams aware that a single moment could reshape the entire trajectory of the match. That moment came in the 47th minute, though not in the way anyone anticipated. Yedlin, who had been solid in his defensive duties, received a yellow card for a challenge on Almirón at midfield. The caution itself was debatable, but Yedlin's reaction suggested frustration with the decision.

What happened next would haunt the young defender and fundamentally alter the match's complexity. Just one minute later, Yedlin committed another foul on Miguel Samudio, this time with less justification and in full view of Chilean referee Julio Bascuñan. The second yellow card was inevitable, and with it came the red that reduced the Americans to ten men with more than forty minutes remaining.

"It's two yellows, it's fine," Klinsmann would later say of the decision, though he acknowledged that Yedlin had "just lost his head for a second." The ejection forced an immediate tactical adjustment, with Michael Orozco replacing Yedlin in defense as Dempsey was sacrificed with the substitution, and the Americans shifting to a more defensive posture.

Rather than panic, the Americans regrouped with the kind of collective determination that had defined their best performances in major tournaments. Brooks, already outstanding, elevated his performance to another level, making crucial interceptions and clearances that frustrated Paraguay's attempts to capitalize on their numerical advantage. The defensive effort was complemented by Guzan's goalkeeping, particularly during a frantic period with ten minutes remaining when Paraguay mounted their most sustained pressure. The veteran keeper made a spectacular double save, first denying Jorge Benítez from point-blank range before immediately recovering to block Almirón's follow-up attempt.

Paraguay's frustration peaked in the 89th minute when Gustavo Gómez appeared to have equalized, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside. The decision preserved the Americans' slender lead and their tournament hopes, though the final whistle couldn't come soon enough for Klinsmann and his increasingly anxious staff. When referee Bascuñan finally ended the contest, the Americans had secured not just the victory they needed but something more valuable: proof that they could overcome adversity through collective resilience rather than individual brilliance. The 1-0 scoreline told only part of the story; the manner of the victory spoke to character traits that had been questioned throughout Klinsmann's tenure.

The evening's drama wasn't finished. As the American players gathered in their Center City hotel to watch the conclusion of Group A, Costa Rica was completing a stunning 3-2 upset of Colombia in Houston. The result, which seemed inconsequential to American hopes just hours earlier, suddenly transformed the group standings. Colombia's defeat dropped them to second place, elevating the United States to the top of Group A and fundamentally altering their quarterfinal prospects.

Instead of facing a daunting trip to the Meadowlands to meet Brazil, the Americans would head to Seattle's CenturyLink Field to face Group B's runner-up. The likely opponent would be Ecuador, a team they had defeated 1-0 in a pre-tournament friendly just weeks earlier. The possibility of avoiding Brazil, the tournament's most dangerous team, represented an unexpected gift that could extend their Copa America journey.

"It's just a wonderful opportunity for our team now to play these type of games," Klinsmann reflected after learning of their group triumph. "It's grow, grow, grow and rise to the occasion. We have nothing to lose. Why not be courageous? Why not put on pressure and give them a game?"

As the team prepared to leave Philadelphia, the transformation from the group that had been outplayed by Colombia seemed complete. Three matches had produced three different storylines: the humbling defeat that exposed their limitations, the explosive victory that restored their confidence, and the gritty triumph that proved their character. The variety of challenges they had overcome suggested they were prepared for whatever the knockout stages might present. The Copa America quarterfinals awaited, and with them, the opportunity to achieve something that had eluded American teams for seven years: victory in a knockout match at a major tournament.

Tie With Poland After Olympic Disaster

On This Day in 1928, After Losing to Italy at the Olympics, the Americans Showed Spirit in Six-Goal Thriller Against Poland

As the Olympic torch prepared to ignite in Amsterdam for the 1928 Games, American soccer stood at another key moment in its development. The United States Football Association, determined to make a more substantial showing than their brief 1924 Olympic appearance, began an exhaustive selection process that would assemble players from across the nation into a team worthy of international competition.

On April 16, the Olympic Committee announced the final American roster. The sixteen-man squad reflected the sport's growing geographic footprint, with players drawn from established soccer hotbeds: Philadelphia contributed four players, St. Louis sent another four, New Jersey added five representatives, while New York, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania rounded out the delegation. The selection emphasized strict adherence to amateur principles, a point repeatedly stressed at the team's farewell dinner held at New York's Prince George Hotel on May 9. Speaker after speaker highlighted the sacrifice these players were making, temporarily abandoning their civilian careers to represent their country—a stark contrast to the "broken time" compensation provided to players from many European nations. This commitment to amateur ideals would later prove ironic given subsequent Olympic decisions regarding soccer's future.

With Philadelphia lawyer Elmer Schroeder serving as manager and George Burford as coach, the American squad sailed for Europe aboard the French liner De Grasse on May 10, carrying what The New York Times described as "high hopes of winning the crown that never yet has come to this country." Colonel G. Randolph Manning, one of the founders of the U.S. Football Association, accompanied the team, primarily to attend the annual meeting of the Federation Internationale de Football Association in Amsterdam.

Upon arriving in Amsterdam on May 20, the Americans were the last team from the Western Hemisphere to reach the Olympic city. Their South American counterparts—Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, and Mexico—had already established training bases. Despite the fatigue of travel, Captain Schroeder maintained optimistic caution when informed that the United States would face mighty Argentina in their opening match.

"We shall play the best game we know. I have no prediction to make," Schroeder told reporters. "We have the greatest respect for the Argentines, and we hope the best team wins."

Coach Burford acknowledged the difficult draw against Argentina but remained focused on preparation. "We don't know the Argentines, but from what we hear about them, I'd say we have a tough break to go up against them in the first shot. We'll do our best, and we'll start right in training on Monday to get ready for them."

The Americans wasted no time acclimating to European competition, arranging a friendly match against the Ajax Club, one of the strongest Dutch squads, on May 24. On a wet, slippery pitch, the hastily assembled American team held their own, securing a respectable 1-1 draw that attracted considerable local interest despite being privately arranged. Albert Cooper of Trenton, the Americans' towering 6-foot-3 goalkeeper, quickly became a fan favorite among Amsterdam spectators. His commanding presence and shot-stopping ability not only earned cheers but also created a following among local children, who would chase after "den groote man" (the big man) whenever he appeared in public.

Olympic hopes, however, were soon dashed when the Americans faced Argentina on May 29. Youth and inexperience proved no match for South American technical brilliance as the U.S. suffered a crushing 11-2 defeat that eliminated them from further Olympic competition. The Argentine wingmen particularly tormented the American defense, repeatedly slipping past the backs despite Cooper's heroic efforts in goal. The Associated Press reported that Cooper "saved what could be saved and fought a good fight," often finding himself "unsupported when the Argentines pressed." While the scoreline reflected an apparent disparity in skill and cohesion, observers noted the contest was played with exemplary sportsmanship throughout.

"Our defense," American William Findlay said, "could not do a thing with the powerful South Americans. They simply dribbled and walked the ball toward our goal. Cooper played a great game, and if it was not for his goalkeeping, the score would have been much bigger."

Rather than immediately returning home, the eliminated Americans arranged a series of exhibition matches in Poland, a decision carrying special significance as Coach Burford had previously trained Polish teams while engaged in relief work there after World War I. This goodwill tour would produce one of the most remarkable performances of the American squad's European journey. After an exhausting overnight train ride from Berlin to Warsaw without proper sleeping accommodations, the Americans took the field against a select Polish team on June 10 before a distinguished audience that included Polish President Ignatz Moscicki, his Cabinet, and members of the diplomatic corps. Despite visible fatigue, the Americans demonstrated remarkable resilience.

Trailing 1-0 at halftime, the U.S. team emerged from the break with renewed determination. Within the first ten minutes of the second half, the Americans stunned the Polish crowd by scoring three consecutive goals in a brilliant offensive burst that showcased their potential when playing with cohesion and confidence. First, Francis Ryan converted a penalty in the 59th minute to equalize. James Gallagher gave the Americans the lead five minutes later before Rudy Kuntner doubled that lead in the 74th minute to almost seal the victory.

However, the Polish side battled back, managing to score twice more, including an 89th-minute penalty, to level the match at 3-3. Near the end of this tension-filled encounter, controversy erupted when referee Dr. Cejnar awarded a foul against the Americans that provoked passionate disagreement from thousands of spectators who rushed onto the field in protest before being dispersed by police. 

American defender John Duffy distinguished himself as the standout performer despite nursing injuries sustained during an earlier match in Hamburg. His determination embodied the fighting spirit that enabled the Americans to secure a creditable draw under challenging circumstances. The American team continued their tour with matches in Lodz on June 11 and Posen on June 12—both defeats—completing the series that helped foster international goodwill through soccer even as Olympic officials were reconsidering the sport's place in future Games.

Meanwhile, in Amsterdam, Argentina and Uruguay battled to a 1-1 draw in the Olympic final before 40,000 spectators on the same day as the Americans' Polish match. The South American rivals remained deadlocked even after 30 minutes of overtime, necessitating a replay scheduled for the following Wednesday. Uruguay won the replay 2-1.

On July 26, while these post-Olympic exhibitions were still fresh in memory, the International Olympic Committee made a decision that would profoundly impact soccer's Olympic future. The committee voted to bar both soccer and tennis from future Olympic competition until their amateur codes aligned with Olympic ideals.

The controversial vote, described by American delegate General Charles H. Sherrill as "the hottest battle the committee has had over any issue in fifteen years," passed by a narrow 16-14 margin. At issue was soccer's "broken time" regulation permitting compensation to players for workplace absence during competition—ironically, a provision the American team had proudly rejected in favor of pure amateurism.

The decision reflected growing tensions between the Olympics' amateur philosophy and the evolving professional reality of soccer. Latin American nations, joined by Balkan countries, Italy, and other European nations, opposed the exclusion, while representatives from the British Empire and Scandinavia strongly supported it. The IOC simultaneously launched a campaign to restrict future Olympics to fourteen days for all events, potentially eliminating winter sports, hockey, and yachting while returning focus to track and field events that formed the original Greek games. This proposal was scheduled for formal consideration at the following year's meeting in Alexandria, Egypt, as officials prepared for the 1932 Olympics in Los Angeles.

For American soccer, the 1928 Olympic campaign represented both challenges and progress. Though the defeat to Argentina exposed significant technical gaps, the team's resilience against Poland demonstrated American soccer's fighting spirit and potential. More importantly, through their European tour, these amateur players fostered international goodwill and laid the groundwork for future American participation on the world stage, even as soccer itself was temporarily sidelined from Olympic competition.

US Versus Switzerland: A Brief History

It Has Been Mostly Friendlies Between the Two Teams, With One World Cup Draw

The United States and Switzerland have developed a competitive yet challenging rivalry spanning over four decades, with their soccer encounters dating back to the late 1970s. The historical record heavily favors the Swiss, who lead the all-time series 4-4-1 (WDL) across nine meetings, highlighting America's struggles against European opposition.

Their relationship began inauspiciously with a 2-0 Swiss victory in 1978, followed by sporadic encounters throughout the 1980s and early 1990s. The 1994 World Cup meeting at the Pontiac Silverdome proved memorable, despite challenging conditions, with Eric Wynalda's spectacular free kick equalizer in a 1-1 draw representing a crucial point for American soccer's development on the world stage.

For over a decade, the United States couldn't find victory against Switzerland until Michael Bradley's late winner in 2007 broke a frustrating streak. That 1-0 triumph in rain-soaked conditions marked a rare American success in Europe and demonstrated the growing competitiveness of the team under coach Bob Bradley.

Recent encounters have maintained Switzerland's historical advantage. The 2015 friendly showcased both teams' evolving styles, with Brek Shea's free-kick giving the Americans hope before Jozy Altidore's red card shifted momentum toward a 1-1 draw. Their most recent meeting in 2021 followed a familiar pattern, with Sebastian Lletget's early opener being overturned by Swiss resilience and superior depth in a 2-1 defeat.

This matchup consistently reveals telling contrasts: Switzerland's tactical discipline and European pedigree versus America's athletic ambition and inconsistent execution. While the Swiss have maintained steady international relevance, these encounters have often served as measuring sticks for American progress, with each competitive performance representing meaningful development in the USMNT's ongoing quest for global respectability.