Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, August 6, 1995 TAG: 9508070104
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: E-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: New York Times
DATELINE: EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. LENGTH: Medium
The Parmalat Cup, which will conclude this afternoon at Giants Stadium, is being used by the U.S. Soccer Federation as a dress rehearsal for Major League Soccer, the professional league that is supposed to be the legacy of last summer's World Cup.
Friday night's doubleheader was a rather encouraging first rehearsal. A crowd of 34,826 turned out to see Parma of Italy defeat the U.S. national team by 2-1 and Boca Juniors of Argentina edge Benfica of Portugal by 3-2 on penalty kicks after a 1-1 tie in regulation.
The American loss spoiled the debut of Coach Steve Sampson, who as an interim coach guided the Americans to the U.S. Cup '95 championship and a surprising fourth-place finish in the America Cup tournament. The United States played with only four starters from its 3-0 victory over Argentina, a triumph that apparently sealed the job for Sampson as full-time coach.
Alexi Lalas headed a ball into his own net, putting the United States behind by 1-0. But the pressure by the United States paid off in the 55th minute when Mike Lapper put a left-footed shot past Luca Bucci. But a goal by Tomas Brolin, from a rebound off Alessandro Melli's shot in the 74th minute gave Parma the victory.
Today, Parma will clash with Boca Juniors for the championship after the Americans meet Benfica in the consolation game at 1 p.m.
The natural grass that was put down on top of the artificial surface for the tournament will be taken off later after the event concludes today. It is very unlikely that natural grass will return to Giants Stadium for the MLS inaugural season, which is scheduled to kick off with 10 teams on March 31 and conclude with the championship game Oct.30.
Charlie Stillitano, the general manager of the New York/New Jersey franchise, who was the director of the Giants Stadium venue for the World Cup, has been trying to persuade the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority to install natural grass permanently, but he has met with heavy resistance.
``The place looks magnificent with grass,'' Stillitano said on Friday.
The grass was in place, but Hristo Stoichkov wasn't. The Bulgarian striker didn't play for Parma Friday night.
Stoichkov, one of the stars of the 1994 World Cup, is the most popular of the players in the tournament, with Claudio Caniggia of Boca Juniors close behind. But Stoichkov, who was transferred to Parma from Barcelona this summer for $15 million, missed the game against the Americans on Friday night because of a bruised thigh.
Stillitano, however, has been assured by Parma officials that Stoichkov will play today.
by CNB