WORLD CUP USA ’94 / THE FIRST ROUND : Spotlight : IF YOU CAN’T STAND THE HEAT . . .

How hot was it?

The official temperature was announced at 87 degrees at Lake Michigan, alongside Soldier Field, but most believed it was hotter.

The humidity was 49%, skies were clear and there was little breeze, making it feel more like 100 degrees.

“I saw teammates who felt terrible,” Trucco said. “There were times it felt like we couldn’t stand to even wear our uniforms.

“I saw that the opponent couldn’t do what it wanted (because of the heat). I think these schedules are (designed) to kill players. They should change the game times.”

Most World Cup games are scheduled to start in European prime time. That means early afternoon kickoffs in the United States and in oppressive heat. But German Coach Berti Vogts was hardly sympathetic.

“All told, my players are still alive and so are the players from the Bolivian team,” he said. “We just have to get used to it.”