Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, June 4, 1990 TAG: 9006040122
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RONALD BLUM ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
The last nine times soccer's elite have gathered for the World Cup, Americans have watched from a distance. This time, with some help from Mexico and Paul Caligiuri's left foot, the United States will be on the world stage.
"I feel it getting in my system," said Caligiuri, whose goal sent the Americans on their way to Italy. "I feel it getting in my blood."
In six days, the United States will walk onto the field at Comunale Stadium in Florence to take on the host country in the Americans' first World Cup game since a 5-2 loss to Chile on July 2, 1950. Not much is expected from the United States. Many American sports fans don't realize the team exists.
"The thing about being in this country is you don't hear things about the World Cup every day," said midfielder Tab Ramos, a former North Carolina State standout. "Nobody even knows about it."
For a week in early May, the U.S. team practiced at Princeton University. Students walked by the field in the middle of campus as if the players were just a pickup team, not the best in the nation.
Elsewhere, World Cup players are heroes. In the United States, they're just another group of guys kicking around a ball.
"We need to feel that," Caligiuri said of the adulation. "We need to expose soccer and give today's kids those dreams and opportunities."
Caligiuri's goal Nov. 19 in Port of Spain, Trinidad, gave the United States a 1-0 victory and the long-awaited spot among the world's best. The Americans got there with a first-round bye, a second-round victory over Jamaica and a second-place finish behind Costa Rica in the final round of qualifying for teams from North America, Central American and the Caribbean.
It helped that Mexico was kicked out of the tournament on June 30, 1988, for using overage players in qualifying for the under-20 world championship.
After opening against Italy, the Americans must play Czechoslovakia in Rome on June 14 and Austria in Florence on June 19. A trip to the 16-team second round is the goal for the United States, but qualifying was a major accomplishment in itself.
"It's a great achievement just to get there," said Carlos Bilardo, coach of defending champion Argentina. "And the important thing is that they're there and they will be there and get the experience for the next World Cup."
The 1994 World Cup will be played in the United States for the first time.
In 1986, Bulgaria and Uruguay advanced to the second round of Cup play with 0-1-2 records, so it doesn't take much.
"I think we can make the second round if we play well enough," said sweeper Mike Windischmann, the American captain. "We're trying to put soccer on the map here."
Windischmann, who has appeared in more international games than any player in U.S. history, anchors a defense that includes Steve Trittschuh, Jimmy Banks, Paul Krumpe, Marcelo Balboa and former Maryland star Desmond Armstrong.
Ramos is the creator in midfield and Caligiuri has been playing a defensive role. John Harkes, a former Virginia star, is there for offense and Brian Bliss sometimes fills that spot when defense is needed.
But the star of the midfield could be John Stollmeyer, a tough tackler who played on NCAA championship teams at Indiana in 1982-83. Stollmeyer specializes in long throw-ins, often hurling the ball 40 yards in the air.
Then there are the forwards, the most criticized players on the team. The United States scored six goals in eight World Cup-qualifying matches in 1989 and hasn't been much more productive in international games this year.
Peter Vermes, who plays for FC Volendam in the Netherlands, and Chris Sullivan, who plays for Hungary's Raba Eto, rejoined the team in early May after their club seasons. Both have looked sharp.
Bruce Murray has been the steadiest of the forwards. Eric Wynalda, a 20-year-old from San Diego State, burst on the scene in January with four goals in his first 10 international matches.
Chris Henderson and former Wake Forest player Neil Covone can contribute in the midfield or at forward, but both are unlikely to start.
The strongest spot on the team is goalkeeper, but that's not unusual for the United States. Tony Meola, who withdrew from Virginia in December to turn pro, is hoping to play in Europe after the World Cup. With his size (6-foot-1) and quickness, he should be a star. He had shutouts in the final four World Cup qualifiers last year.
Kasey Keller is Meola's backup.
David Vanole, the starting U.S. goalkeeper in 1988 and the first half of 1989, has been brought back to improve team morale.
Stollmeyer and Vanole are the oldest players, at 27. The youngsters have been together since January because there is no major professional outdoor league in the United States.
"They're anxious. They're ambitious," said coach Bob Gansler. "They want to show their wares on the ultimate stage."
The players feel a burden to help establish soccer in the United States, particularly for the next World Cup. They want to be heroes for the next generation of American players.
"We're a country of nothing but potential," Caligiuri said. "We're like a gold mine that hasn't been found yet."
Coach Francisco Maturana, whose Colombian team has beaten the United States twice this year, is like most soccer observers. He doesn't expect the Americans to do well.
"Going to the World Cup is paying your ticket, as I say, to the ball," Maturana said. "But once you get to the ball, you have to dance. The U.S. made a great achievement. Now it depends on how they capitalize on this. I hope it serves them as solid experience for the next time and for a better future when it comes to soccer."
Gansler is realistic, cautioning that American soccer won't improve overnight.
"Anyone who thinks we'll be there with football, baseball and basketball after the 1994 World Cup is a dreamer," the coach said. "Either they're naive or fools. Look how long it took for the NBA to get established. Soccer has got to pay its dues."
by CNB