USMNT aim to recreate 1994 heroics in Copa America Centenario opener
"For us, it was a perfect game."
So said Bora Milutinovic, the Serbian-born 'miracle worker' who, in the 1994 World Cup guided the United States to a 2-1 win over pre-tournament favorites Colombia. Nearly 22 years to the day, that match still resonates as one of the country's most transcendent triumphs.
Back then, you'd find it difficult to blame your run-of-the-mill American for not yet having fully grasped the concept of "The Beautiful Game." Even after Paul Caliguiri's 'Shot Heard 'Round The World,' which earned the U.S. a berth to the 1990 World Cup and effectively curtailed their 40-year exile from world soccer's grand spectacle, the nation's perception of the sport's global importance was still in its embryonic phase.
In stepped Milutinovic, who, for the better part of his coaching career, found himself battling against the odds. First with Mexico, whom he took charge of in 1983 and coached to the quarterfinals of the 1986 World Cup, their highest-ever finish. Four years later, with a mere 90 days of preparation, the Serb took over Costa Rica and managed to lead them to the second round of the 1990 edition. And, of course, in 1994, he worked his magic yet again for a country that, before then, hadn't tasted a World Cup victory since 1950 nor reached the knockout stages since the 1930s.
Sandwiched between a 1-1 draw with Switzerland and a 1-0 defeat to Romania was the iconic meeting between the U.S. and Colombia. Before then, the Americans' record against Los Cafeteros -- Pelé's choice to go all the way -- was futile. With the likes of Carlos Valderrama, Freddy Rincon and Faustino Asprilla leading the charge, a Francisco Maturana-led side was on a high, hammering Argentina, 5-0, in a World Cup qualifier in Buenos Aires amid a 28-match unbeaten streak heading into the tournament.
But on June 22, 1994, at a sun-kissed Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., the Americans staged arguably their biggest upset since their 1-0 victory over England in the 1950 World Cup, better known as the "Miracle on Grass." An infamous and costly own goal from Andres Escobar and match-winning strike from Earnie Stewart steered the U.S. to a 2-1 victory and, eventually, a place in the knockout round.
Twenty two years later, the two butt heads once again on U.S. soil, both facing significant pressure to make a statement.
For Colombia, the quest to rediscover their 2014 World Cup form and improve on last summer's quarterfinal exit at Copa America starts this week. José Pékerman has elected to omit the old guard of Radamel Falcao, Teófilo Gutiérrez and Jackson Martínez -- among others -- in favor of building around James Rodriguez and a largely European-based contingent.
For the U.S., who've been far from perfect in recent months, Jurgen Klinsmann's outfit is hell-bent on atoning for a dismal Gold Cup. On the back of four straight wins -- including a 4-0 win over Guatemala in World Cup qualifying -- they'll need to channel their inner 1994 in Friday's Copa America Centenario opener if they have any hopes of stifling Colombia and advancing past the group stage.
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