Drive to Host Cup Games Began in ’84

During the 1984 Olympics, no one expected a third-place battle between Yugoslavia and Italy to stir much interest. But, following a run on the ticket office, 100,374 people packed the Rose Bowl that night.

Maybe, thought Alan Rothenberg, Olympic soccer commissioner, the United States could someday host the World Cup.

Rothenberg, now the CEO of World Cup USA, worked behind the scenes to bring World Cup soccer to America. On July 4, 1988, the United States won the right the host the 1994 event.

Rothenberg, a Los Angeles attorney, was elected president of the U.S. Soccer Federation in 1990. He brought professionalism to the organization, which just a few years before was a disjointed group that raised some funds with bake sales and car washes.

He organized the federation along the lines of the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee--of which he had been a part. As expected, Rothenberg expertly maneuvered Los Angeles into the central role of the event.

On July 17, they’ll play the World Cup finals at the Rose Bowl, the eighth cup game played there--more than in any other U.S. city.