U.S. Youth Soccer Team Stuns Iraq, Gains World Semifinals
The United States achieved its greatest international soccer success to date Saturday, defeating Iraq, 2-1, to advance to the semifinals of the fifth World Youth Championship in Saudi Arabia.
Not since 1930, when the U.S. reached the semifinals of the first World Cup in Uruguay, has an American team done as well. Only 13 nations participated in that tournament, however, and the U.S. had only to beat Belgium and Paraguay to reach the semifinals, where it lost to Argentina.
In Saudi Arabia, however, the American youngsters (under 20) have surpassed even the most optimistic expectations. They tied Mali, 1-1; upset East Germany, 2-0; were beaten by Brazil, 3-1, and, in Saturday’s quarterfinal, shocked highly favored Iraq, which had beaten Spain, Norway and Argentina in the first round.
The victory in the King Fahd Sports City Stadium in Taif moves the U.S. into Tuesday’s semifinal in Jidda, where it will play Nigeria, which on Saturday upset the Soviet Union, 5-3, on penalty kicks after the game ended at 4-4. The Soviets led 4-0 at one point.
Brazil plays Portugal in the other semifinal.
A goal by midfielder Chris Henderson of Everett, Wash., gave the U.S. the lead in the 17th minute, but the Iraqis tied the match in the 36th minute on a goal by Karrem Mohammed Wali.
North Carolina State freshman Dario Brose of Hughsonville, N.Y., scored the winner in the 57th minute.
U.S. Coach Bob Gansler had nothing but praise for his team.
“You have to give the kids credit,” he said. “They did exactly what we asked them to do. We had to slow the game down and take the crowd (of 27,000) out of it. They (the U.S. players) did a tremendous tactical job.”
Gansler singled out Simi Valley’s Cameron Rast, saying the Santa Clara University defender “did his job of shadowing (Iraqi star Hussein Shhaib) Laith well, and this in the end frustrated the Iraqis.”
University of Portland goalkeeper Kasey Keller was again in top form in the nets for the U.S., making several outstanding saves.
