WORLD CUP USA ’94 / THE FIRST ROUND : SPOTLIGHT : OLD FANS, OLD FRIENDS

A contingent of fans from Kearny, N.J., is following the U.S. team, which has three players who played in the town: goalkeeper Tony Meola, Tab Ramos and John Harkes.

The fans have the same banner they have been bringing to U.S. games since 1989. In the group are old friends and players that the three national team members grew up with.

“They stole a bedsheet from the hotel and made the sign,” Meola said. “It says, ‘Love, Kearny.’ . . . They were all going to go home after (Wednesday’s game), but now they are going to stay. A couple of them have lost their jobs as of today. I don’t think they care.”