Tournaments-Part 13- US Cup 1995

 

The 1992 and 1993 editions of the US Cup were used as dress rehearsals for the 1994 World Cup in the USA in terms of stadia as well as much needed experience for the hosts USA to face quality opposition.

The 1994 edition was not played as the World Cup was taking place.

This 1995 Edition took place a year after the World Cup.

The United States had performed satisfactorily in the 1994 World Cup by advancing to the Second Round.

They were eager to build up on the success of the World Cup, but they would have to do it without their Manager Bora Milutinovic.

He departed just months before this Tournament. Big names such as Carlos Queiroz and Carlos Alberto Parreira were linked with the vacant post, in the meantime Steve Sampson was charged to lead the team in the interim period.

Following the US Cup, the United States were to participate in the 1995 Edition of Copa America.

The United States had maintained the backbone of the 1994 World Cup squad. This included the likes of Thomas Dooley, Marcelo Balboa, Paul Caliguri, Alexi Lalas, John Harkes, Tab Ramos, Cobi Jones, Claudio Reyna, Earnie Stewart, Roy Wegerle, and Eric Wynalda.

1994 Captain and goalkeeper Tony Meola was out of reckoning at this point; therefore, Brad Friedel and Kasey Keller were challenging for the number one spot.

Mexico were still managed by 1994 World Cup Manager Miguel Meija Baron and had maintained much of the same team.

Just like the United States, they were to take part in the Copa America as well.

Colombia had gone through a traumatic 1994 World Cup culminating with the murder of Andres Escobar.

Pacho Maturana had resigned as manager following the World Cup, his assistant Hernan Dario Gomez was the new Manager of the team.

He maintained the bulk of Maturana’s side, but decided to rest Parma star Faustino Asprilla to keep him fresh for the Copa America.

In general, this Tournament served as preparation for the Copa America.

The fourth team in this Tournament were 1994 African Nations Cup Champions and 1994 World Cup participants Nigeria.

The Nigerians were missing a number of key players. Dutch Manager Clemens Westerhoff had left his post after the World Cup. The team was managed by Shaibu Amodu, the former coach of BCC Lions.

Though Brazilian legend and 1970 World Cup winning captain Carlos Alberto was present to oversee their program.

 

The US Cup kicked off on June 11^th, 1995, with the USA facing Nigeria at Boston’s Foxboro Stadium. The match marked Marcelo Balboa’s 100^th cap.

The Americans were missing Alexi Lalas. He arrived just two hours from kickoff from Italy following a relegation play-off with his club Padova. He nevertheless played in the second half.

Sampson’s tactics consisted of playing with two central defenders and a sweeper in a 5-3-2 formation.

USA were missing Tab Ramos through injury and Eric Wynalda, not released by his German club Bochum.

Nigeria took the lead in the 8^th minute through ‘Jay-Jay’ Okocha, but USA tied the match quickly (just two minutes later) through John Harkes.

Nigeria took the lead once more through Taiwo Wasui in the 19^th minute, taking advantage of Mike Burns’ clearance failure.

Balboa tied the match at the stroke of halftime with a header.

In the second-half, Sampson made tactical adjustments. Stewart moved from the right side of midfield to upfront to replace the subbed off Wegerle.

Cobi Jones entered to play at right midfield.

Lalas came on to partner Bliss in the center of defense and Caligiuri moved to the left back position.

USA would win this match (3-2) with Cobi Jones knocking in Stewart’s cross.

Afterwards Cobi Jones praised Sampson’s more direct and attacking approach in contrast to Milutinovic.

After this match, Stewart left the squad to go on vacation.

 

Photo From: Soccer America, Vol. 48, No. 23, Issue 1210, June 26, 1995

(June 11, 1995, US Cup, USA 3-Nigeria 2)

The next match was on June 17^th, at Piscataway, New Jersey, between Colombia and Nigeria.

Nigeria were missing Okocha, who was recalled by Eintracht Frankfurt.

The match was settled (1-0) when the Colombian John Jaime Gomez’s free kick was deflected by the Nigerian wall in the 79^th minute.

 

On the following day (June 18^th), USA faced regional rivals Mexico at Washington, DC.

Mexico had arrived two days before the match. They were missing Claudio Suarez and Juan Ramirez Perales through injury. Vidrio and Guillermo Hernandez would replace them for this match.

For the Americans, Friedel had started the first match against Nigeria, Kasey Keller would get the nod for this match.

This match would be Claudio Reyna’s star making match. In the fourth minute, he set up Wegerle for the opener.

Sampson stated afterwards that he noticed in the first fifteen minutes, Mexico were pushing many players in midfield. Therefore, he decided to push up Dooley from defense to midfield.

Dooley would score the second goal himself, set up by Reyna.

The rout was on when in the 36^th minute, Harkes scored the third goal, knocking in a rebound after Jorge Canpos had parried Wynalda’s attempt.

Claudio Reyna rounded out a memorable match by scoring the fourth goal in the 68^th minute.

 

A few days later, on June 21^st, at Washington, DC, Mexico salvaged some pride by keeping a shut-out and holding Colombia to a scoreless tie.

On June 24^th, at Dallas, Mexico and Nigeria ended their respective Tournaments with Mexico finishing on a high by defeating Nigeria (2-1).

Jonathan Akpoborie had given Nigeria the lead in the 46th minute. Alberto Garcia Aspe tied the match in the 57th minute with a free kick.

Ignacio Ambriz settled the match with a long-range shot in the 77th minute.

 

The Tournament ended on June 25th, at Piscataway, NJ, as the USA hosted Colombia, a replay of the 1994 World Cup match.

John Harkes was named Captain as the match was being played in his home state.

Sampson also named Friedel to start in goal and afterwards would name him as the starting goalkeeper.

USA would have a more defensive shape in this match. There were few chances with USA having a penalty kick claim in the 15th minute after Fernandez’s foul on Wynalda.

The match lacked excitement with few clear-cut chances and the crowd showed their discontent by booing.

The match ended as a scoreless tie, and this was enough for USA to win the US Cup on points.

Photo From: Soccer America, Vol. 49, No. 2, Issue 1212, July 10, 1995

(June 25, 1995, US Cup, USA 0-Colombia 0)

Photo From: Soccer America, Vol. 50, No. 1, Issue 1235, January 22, 1996

(June 25, 1995, US Cup, USA 0-Colombia 0)

Photo From: Soccer America, Vol. 50, No. 10, Issue 1244, April 8, 1996

(June 25, 1995, US Cup, USA 0-Colombia 0)

There seemed to be a festive atmosphere with the Americans.

The USA appeared to have improved in a few years’ time and attempts were being made to advance the game here. In fact, MLS was scheduled to be launched that year, but pushed back to 1996.

After this Tournament and another positive showing at the Copa America weeks later, Sampson was rewarded by being appointed as the full-time Manager and would be in charge until the 1998 World Cup.

As for Mexico, Miguel Meija Baron would be dismissed after the 1995 Copa America and another loss to the United States (this time on a penalty kick shoot-out) and replaced with …. Bora Milutinovic.

Colombia Manager Hernan Dario Gomez declared that his team was not yet ready and were preparing for the Copa America.

The US Cup would be back in 1996 but would lose in significance in the coming years. The United States were now more involved in International competitions and this competition was no longer a necessity to gain experience.

 

 

References:

Soccer America, Vol. 48, No. 23, Issue 1210, June 26, 1995

Soccer America, Vol. 49, No. 1, Issue 1211, July 3, 1995

Soccer America, Vol. 49, No. 2, Issue 1212, July 10, 1995