U.S. Pulls a Soccer Upset for the Ages : Cup ‘93: It took 43 years, but the United States duplicates its stunning defeat of England, 2-0.
As a fine mist rolled into Foxboro Stadium Wednesday night, it brought with it memories of 1950 and the game that was, until now, called the biggest upset in international soccer.
In that game in the first round of the World Cup at Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Joe Gaetjens of the United States jumped high and sent a header into England’s net. The stunning setback for England was thought to foreshadow America’s emergence in the world soccer scene.
“This is all we wanted to make the game go in the United States,” coach Bill Jeffery said in 1950.
The echoes of that game rang loudly here, as the United States upset England, 2-0, in a result that will stun the soccer world just as it did 43 years ago. Improbably, the two U.S. goals came on headers, against a team whose players are regarded as the world’s best in the air.
U.S. soccer officials mark the victory as the announcement of credibility for the sport that is still fighting for attention in a crowded sports marketplace.
The victory, in front of 37,652 in the U.S. Cup ‘93, gives the United States instant credibility on the international scene in the same way as it will be viewed as a humiliating loss for England.
“If this is not on the front cover of every paper tomorrow, I don’t know what else we need to do,” said John Harkes, U.S. midfielder who plays professionally in England. “It’s the best result we can pull.”
British journalists had predicted that if England lost to the lowly American team, it would be “the end of the world.”
The game matched teams whose soccer fortunes met while traveling in opposite directions. England, which won the World Cup in 1966, is in danger of not qualifying for the World Cup final for the first time since 1974. Wednesday’s game was not part of World Cup qualifying for England, but for a country with a soccer heritage, any loss on an international level is unacceptable.
“A couple of days ago, you said a loss would be the end of the world, that’s exactly how it’s going to be seen,” said Roy Wegerle, a U.S. forward who plays in England. “They are going to get so much abuse in the English press because this is an embarrassment that will probably shake the world.”
The U.S. team is on a slightly perceptible rise. Until Thomas Dooley’s goal in the 43rd minute, the United States had gone 388 minutes without scoring. It lost its first game in U.S. Cup ’93 to Brazil, 2-0. The U.S. team had won only one game this season.
Wednesday’s game showed the impact European-based players can have on the U.S. team. Dooley, the German-based player who played at defensive midfield, ran from goal line to goal line. Harkes and Wegerle created chance after chance at midfield and directed one of the team’s most potent attacks. Tab Ramos, who plays in Spain, was instrumental in controlling a high cross that he centered for Dooley’s goal.
Goalkeeper Tony Meola played brilliantly. He was especially strong in the second half, as desperate English players came at him in waves, their red shirts flapping on the backs of their blue shorts. Meola, the U.S. captain, made 15 saves, including two point-blank stops on England’s powerful Ian Wright.
The entire U.S. team elevated its play. Seldom-seen Alexi Lalas, with his curly red hair and long goatee, came on in relief of Dooley and, moments later, scored the second goal.
Ramos curled the ball in off a corner kick and Lalas leaped over English defenders and knocked the ball in the net off the back of his head.
Simultaneous with Lalas’ fist-pumping celebration was the unmistakable sound of a message going out. The ghost of 1950 has returned, rising to haunt England. The end of the world had arrived.
Soccer Notes
Norway and the Netherlands played to a 0-0 tie in a World Cup qualifying match at Rotterdam. The tie elevates the Dutch to a second-place tie with England in Group 2. Norway, which beat England a week ago, is in first place with 12 points and is nearly assured of qualifying. England and the Netherlands have nine points. Poland is fourth with eight points, but has played two fewer games. Only two teams from the group qualify.
