Mexico, South Korea to Play in Coliseum Soccer Tournament

Although the improving U.S. national soccer team is at home for the Marlboro Cup of Los Angeles, the Coliseum crowds are likely to favor a couple of the opponents named Monday to play in the four-team tournament.

The national teams of Mexico and South Korea, countries that have vast representation among the population of Los Angeles, will play in the second game of the tournament on Aug. 10.

In an earlier game that night, the United States will meet Juventus, 22-time champion of the Italian League. The winners will play for the championship Aug. 13.

The United States and South Korea, which tied, 0-0, in the 1988 Summer Olympics, are attempting to qualify this year for the 1990 World Cup in Italy.

Mexico has been disqualified from competing in Italy because it used over-age players in an international junior tournament.

The United States reached the final in both previous Marlboro Cups this year. It lost the first in April at Miami to Santa Fe of Colombia but won the second earlier this month at the New Jersey Meadowlands with a 3-0 victory over Peru’s national team. The third Marlboro Cup of the year is scheduled for July 20-23 at Chicago.