WORLD CUP USA ‘94: ROUND OF 16 : Maligned Defense of the U.S. Made Its Mark : Back line: For the most part, Balboa and his hard-nosed mates defused Brazil’s explosive forwards.
So much of their time was spent on the grass Monday afternoon--sliding, diving and lunging--it seemed only natural that a couple of the American players remained sprawled on the turf minutes after the final whistle signaled Brazil’s 1-0 victory over the United States in the round of 16.
Defender Marcelo Balboa, physically and emotionally spent, leaned back on the grass as the happy scene unfolded around him, a sea of Brazilian yellow and green bouncing up and down at Stanford Stadium.
“This is a sad thing for us, a very emotional thing and a hard thing to get over,” Balboa said.
Several yards away from Balboa sat Cobi Jones. Jones, 24, had made his first World Cup start, taking the place of midfielder John Harkes, who received two yellow cards in the first round.
Jones sat on the grass, staring at his feet. Nearby, an official extended a hand to Eric Wynalda and helped him up. Bebeto, whose goal in the 74th minute made the difference, came over and hugged Balboa.
It was an acknowledgment of a job well done--on both sides. Certainly, it had been no secret how the United States intended to approach this match against Brazil. If the Americans were to have any chance, it was going to be an unappealing brand of ugly and unglamorous soccer for 90 minutes . . . 30 more grueling minutes of overtime and then pray for penalty kicks.
Taking a page from the successful Swedish strategy against Brazil, the United States did a formidable job of packing the middle and was able to catch the Brazilians several times with an offside trap in the first half.
“It was interesting that every team that has played against us in the World Cup has changed their tactics,” Bebeto said. “And marked us more one-on-one.”
At times, the United States had seven or eight players back in the first half. Was eight enough?
No, as it turned out. Adopting such a defensive posture really left no margin for error. One minute breakdown in the midfield--which led to Brazil’s goal--and that was the game.
“We knew that we had to keep playing like we did in the first half, and it was just one of those things where we broke down in the middle of the field and they capitalized on it,” Balboa said.
Said midfielder Roy Wegerle: “The first 45 minutes we thought we might upset them. The second 45 minutes, they proved to be too strong and too smart.”
Brazil goalkeeper Claudio Taffarel had ample opportunity to watch, since he faced but four shots. He probably could have provided on-the-spot radio commentary from his vantage point.
“They were marking very well,” Taffarel said. “The American team was showing us a great deal of respect and was playing us very close but was attacking very little. I know it was a hard game. The American soccer team was very physical against us.”
Oddly enough, the U.S. defense was much maligned before the World Cup tournament. It was considered by many to be the primary weakness--too old, too slow. But these four games were a revelation.
“The defense we have really came of age,” assistant coach Timo Liekoski said. “(Alexi) Lalas and Marcelo played exceptionally well. (Paul) Caligiuri is playing better every game.”
The defense wasn’t the only unit to come of age. U.S. Coach Bora Milutinovic was asked about the improvement of his younger players, those who had never participated in a World Cup.
“I want to single out Lalas, Mike Sorber and Cobi Jones,” Milutinovic said. “I mention them because they came straight out of college. They have faced the players who have the greatest experience in the world.
“That should show everybody that the U.S. has a great future in soccer.”
Assistant coach Sigi Schmid agreed, saying: “Look at the experience we’ve gained from four years ago. If we can make half the progress from this time. . . . For Cobi, Alexi, (Mike) Lapper and Claudio (Reyna), this experience is invaluable.
“I like that theme.”
