On January 17, 1994, a 6.7 magnitude earthquake rocked Los Angeles’ San Fernando Valley. Five months later, another earthquake shook the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, 25 miles east of the epicenter: Team USA won its first game at the World Cup, thanks to a goal from Earnie Stewart.
Home fans rejoiced. Team USA went through to the knockout stage, justifying all the hype and razzle-dazzle of a tournament some outsiders said it did not merit. It was snobbish and unfair — America was not a soccer nation before, but it sure was afterward. The competition broke attendance records, attracting 3.6 million spectators, and it became the most financially successful World Cup ever, generating some $100 million in profit.
Alexi Lalas, the USMNT’s ginger, grunge rock central defender, became an unlikely symbol of the team’s dogged spirit, and there was no shame in the eventual 1-0 exit to Brazil in the Round of 16.
There were firsts: Three points were awarded for a win to promote more attacking play, and a World Cup match was held indoors at the Silverdome. On top of that, Russia was no longer the Soviet Union, East and West Germany were reunited, and FIFA unveiled an anthem that no one could hum.
The mental highlights persist over 30 years later. The East Europeans lit up the tournament — Bulgaria’s Hristo Stoichkov carrying the permanent air of a man who had stood in something unpleasant, shot down Argentina. His teammate, the receding Yordan Letchkov, blew away a German side stock full of legends; Romania’s Gheorghe Hagi, “the Diego Maradona of the Carpathians,” lit up the pitch, and Ireland stunned Italy, causing New York’s bars to run out of Guinness.
Sweden was the dark horse, falling eventually to Brazil, whom they’d met in the 1958 final. Nigeria, appearing at its first World Cup tournament, was adopted by neutrals and gave Italy a huge scare.
There were more superstars, some unlikely. Mexico’s Jorge Campos wore a Day-glo goalkeeping shirt so loud it looked as if it had been designed by a hyperactive kid; Belgium’s Michel Preud’homme pulled off inexplicable saves; Argentina’s Maradona made a dramatic exit, and Italy’s Roberto Baggio —n“Il Divin Codino” (“the Divine Ponytail”) — was inspirational. You could sense a nation shiver when he pulled up with a hamstring in the hard-fought semifinal win over Bulgaria.
The final was memorable but for the wrong reasons: the first-ever 0-0 draw and penalties. Baggio, fatigued, blazed over to hand Brazil the trophy for a fourth time. Captain Dunga dedicated it to the late racing legend Ayrton Senna.
But it wasn’t about the final destination; it was soccer’s unforgettable journey that mattered.
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