Americans-What are your memories of the 1994 World Cup? Did you even notice it?

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It was held in the US so that Americans would finally learn to love football = soccer.

So did you
1) know it was on 2)watch any games on TV 3)go to any games?
Any teams/players/incidents you remember? Have you followed football in any way since?
Or should the rest of the world accept that Americans are perfectly happy with their own sports and will never really take to soccer (even though the US is one of the top 20 ranked teams in the World)?

― Joe Kay (feethurt), Tuesday, 25 May 2004 11:43 (twenty-two years ago)

Ha, good quesion. I think they are only interested if they have a better than evens chance of winning.

― mark grout (mark grout), Tuesday, 25 May 2004 11:45 (twenty-two years ago)

can we Brits contribute? i thought it was a terrific tournament despite absence of England. so many incredible goals, perhaps the highest amount ever? shame the final was a letdown but that's normal i guess.

― stevem (blueski), Tuesday, 25 May 2004 11:45 (twenty-two years ago)

Hell on the subways late at night with drunken football louts getting on the 7 train going the wrong way. Early bad experiences may have contributed to my growing hatred of footie...

― not really kate, Tuesday, 25 May 2004 11:46 (twenty-two years ago)

Is that the tournament where Iran played the USA and everyone in the world wanted Iran to win - authoritarian theocracy an' all?

― Dadaismus (Dada), Tuesday, 25 May 2004 11:47 (twenty-two years ago)

OJ SImpson was the real star that Summer of course

― stevem (blueski), Tuesday, 25 May 2004 11:47 (twenty-two years ago)

Nope, that was France 98, Dada.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Tuesday, 25 May 2004 11:48 (twenty-two years ago)

I have great memories of watching games with Mikey G in a big house in Winton that we rented on the cheap, great Nigerian goals - the matches against Argentina and Italy were fantastic. I also remember getting very drunk

― chris (chris), Tuesday, 25 May 2004 11:50 (twenty-two years ago)

Brazil v Holland one of the classic encounters

― stevem (blueski), Tuesday, 25 May 2004 11:51 (twenty-two years ago)

This thread is hateful.

― Be sure to Loop! Loop, Loop, Loop. (ex machina), Tuesday, 25 May 2004 11:52 (twenty-two years ago)

I was in the Italian Alps between the end of the group stage and the semi-finals so I missed a large chunk of it. We watched Brazil knock out the USA and then the Dutch beat Ireland. Then Sweden beating Romania on penalties. Letchkov's header against Germany made me dance the giddy goat when I got home and saw it properly tho.

― stevem (blueski), Tuesday, 25 May 2004 11:53 (twenty-two years ago)

Hateful on so many levels.

― Possibly Kate Again (kate), Tuesday, 25 May 2004 11:53 (twenty-two years ago)

OJ SImpson was the real star that Summer of course

And he, appropriately 'nuff'nuff, didn't play football.
And he prolly nevah has.

*nods head wearily*

― t\'\'t (t\'\'t), Tuesday, 25 May 2004 11:54 (twenty-two years ago)

i've got so much love to give to this thread :p

― stevem (blueski), Tuesday, 25 May 2004 11:55 (twenty-two years ago)

AMERICAN FOOTBALL RULZ, YOU FAGGOTS

― Be sure to Loop! Loop, Loop, Loop. (ex machina), Tuesday, 25 May 2004 11:55 (twenty-two years ago)

The Republic of Ireland beating Italy and Bulgaria beating the Germans will stay with me forever. Also STOICHKOV!

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Tuesday, 25 May 2004 11:55 (twenty-two years ago)

"And I wouldn't mind Diana Ross before every game...singing of course"
- Des Lynam, post opening ceremony

― stevem (blueski), Tuesday, 25 May 2004 11:56 (twenty-two years ago)

Alan Hansen going "that defender should've been shot" a matter of days after the Escobar murder. D'oh!

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Tuesday, 25 May 2004 11:56 (twenty-two years ago)

ooh yeah, Letchkov's header was a thing of glory, cannoning off that bald pate like bullet from a glock

― chris (chris), Tuesday, 25 May 2004 11:56 (twenty-two years ago)

Maradona's face after scoring against Greece almost made me love him

― stevem (blueski), Tuesday, 25 May 2004 11:58 (twenty-two years ago)

I think Iran- USA was in '94.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Tuesday, 25 May 2004 11:58 (twenty-two years ago)

whacked out on goofballs is a phrase made for that moment

― chris (chris), Tuesday, 25 May 2004 11:59 (twenty-two years ago)

http://sunsite.tus.ac.jp/wc94/images/photos/ARGvsGRE.2.0620.gif

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Tuesday, 25 May 2004 11:59 (twenty-two years ago)

Iran were not in USA 94. It was 98. I am positive on this one.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Tuesday, 25 May 2004 11:59 (twenty-two years ago)

The Republic of Ireland beating Italy and Bulgaria beating the Germans will stay with me forever. Also STOICHKOV!

OTM, am hoping that after Euro 2004 people will be saying PETROV!

― Dadaismus (Dada), Tuesday, 25 May 2004 12:00 (twenty-two years ago)

By sheer coincidence, I was in Pasadena for the final. It was brilliant. There were guys cruising up and down waving Brazilian flags out of their cars and everyone seemed to be really into it. There were parties down at the Rose Bowl on the day of the match and a great time was had by all.

I was in NZ for the last World Cup and they don't give rat's ass about soccer. The night of the Ireland-Germany match, a whole bunch of European backpackers gathered in the awful local pub to watch the match and we had to plead with the woman who owned the pub not to kick us out before the nail-biting end. She was sweeping up around us and putting chairs up on tables and she and the bouncer were openly mocking the low-scoring progress of the game. It wasn't rugby and it wasn't cricket so they just didn't care.

― accentmonkey (accentmonkey), Tuesday, 25 May 2004 12:01 (twenty-two years ago)

Matt is bang on, the USA played Switzerland, Colombia and Romania in the group stages iirc then got knocked out by Brazil

― chris (chris), Tuesday, 25 May 2004 12:02 (twenty-two years ago)

Is it me, or are there no Americans on this thread?

― Possibly Kate Again (kate), Tuesday, 25 May 2004 12:02 (twenty-two years ago)

maybe that answers the question?

― chris (chris), Tuesday, 25 May 2004 12:03 (twenty-two years ago)

i gather that not much attention was paid to the USA's sterling efforts at the last World CUp either

― stevem (blueski), Tuesday, 25 May 2004 12:03 (twenty-two years ago)

(x-post - it's a little early for the Americans still isn't it?)

― stevem (blueski), Tuesday, 25 May 2004 12:04 (twenty-two years ago)

i am seeing (some variant of) the '94 world cup winning squad on sunday, hurrah!

it's just like watching brazil!!!

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Tuesday, 25 May 2004 12:04 (twenty-two years ago)

(I am actually interested in the actual question rather than this jumpers for goalposts bollocks)

― Andrew Farrell (afarrell), Tuesday, 25 May 2004 12:04 (twenty-two years ago)

OK, to answer the actual questions:

Yes, I knew it was happening, because I was in NYC at the time. No, I did not go to any of the games. No, it never made me want to follow football again, in fact, quite the reverse.

There you go, you're welcome.

― Possibly Kate Again (kate), Tuesday, 25 May 2004 12:07 (twenty-two years ago)

This was the world cup where watching brazil was not like watching brazil.

''Is it me, or are there no Americans on this thread?''

Jon 'fucking faggot' williams has posted here.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Tuesday, 25 May 2004 12:09 (twenty-two years ago)

Brazil '98 > Brazil '94 > Brazil '02

― stevem (blueski), Tuesday, 25 May 2004 12:11 (twenty-two years ago)

i gather that not much attention was paid to the USA's sterling efforts at the last World CUp either

A-hem, I for one did exchange a couple of messages on this particular topic with Frank Kogan back then.

― t\'\'t (t\'\'t), Tuesday, 25 May 2004 12:13 (twenty-two years ago)

nah julio, jon left, didnt you see that other thread?

― gareth (gareth), Tuesday, 25 May 2004 12:14 (twenty-two years ago)

Odds on Freddy Adu to become the youngest ever player to play World Cup football in '06, anyone?

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Tuesday, 25 May 2004 12:15 (twenty-two years ago)

I get really annoyed by the (european) football threads that aren't clear that they're about football from the topic.

PS - JULIO R U A HATER?

― Be sure to Loop! Loop, Loop, Loop. (ex machina), Tuesday, 25 May 2004 12:15 (twenty-two years ago)

I was 13 and didn't care about sports one way or the other. So I didn't notice it at all. However I really enjoy football now and am lamely excited about Euro 2004. (I don't know if that's because it'll kill time before the NFL season starts or what though.)

Also I like Adu and all but come on, he's really not that great--not that one has to be to excel in MLS.

― adam (adam), Tuesday, 25 May 2004 12:17 (twenty-two years ago)

Was this the one in Dallas? Because I was in Dallas at the time, and remember lots of tourists in town for that. One English guy came into the record store where I worked and bought bands from England. I asked him why, and he said because it was cheaper to buy them here.

Didn't see any of the games though, as I have no interest in soccer.

― dleone (dleone), Tuesday, 25 May 2004 12:18 (twenty-two years ago)

he will come on yes, to fulfill his marketing man's dream destiny (mind you, will he be younger than Norman Whiteside in 82?)

― chris (chris), Tuesday, 25 May 2004 12:19 (twenty-two years ago)

Best football hair. Ever.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/38321000/jpg/_38321457_valderama1.jpg

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Tuesday, 25 May 2004 12:21 (twenty-two years ago)

I get really annoyed by the (european) football threads that aren't clear that they're about football from the topic.

annoyed? blimey, how can anyone get annoyed by anything so trivial? If you don't know what it's about ask "Excuse me, what is this thread about?" Christ.

― MarkH (MarkH), Tuesday, 25 May 2004 12:23 (twenty-two years ago)

i get annoyed by jon, and amerkans who think their cute little game with the helmets and the odd shaped ball is 'football'. aw jus messin witcha there. this is about FOOTBALL tho. getcha own name.

― stevem (blueski), Tuesday, 25 May 2004 12:26 (twenty-two years ago)

MarkH, a lot of times I'm on dialup loading a long thread just to see that is about some football clubs I care nothing about is freaking annoying and a waste of time (that said, I wish it was more popular in the US).

― Be sure to Loop! Loop, Loop, Loop. (ex machina), Tuesday, 25 May 2004 12:26 (twenty-two years ago)

Stevem, I refer to that as AMERICAN FOOTBALL always!

― Be sure to Loop! Loop, Loop, Loop. (ex machina), Tuesday, 25 May 2004 12:27 (twenty-two years ago)

Best World Cup ever!

Except for the other ones, possibly.

― the bellefox, Tuesday, 25 May 2004 12:27 (twenty-two years ago)

"If he'd done that to me he'd have had the hand of Bob in his face" - Wilson's finest moment, on the subject of Maradona.

Brazil '94: greatest Brazil team ever, obv. And we'll be seeing a version of the team on Sunday! (Tickets still available folks).

I thought Freddy Adu looked pretty good the other week, but then I now have a vested interest in him becoming a major worldwide megastar icon thing because I saw his first competitive goal.

― Tim (Tim), Tuesday, 25 May 2004 12:27 (twenty-two years ago)

Skipping 119 messages at this point... Click here if you want to load them all.

Um, YES.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 23 May 2006 13:19 (twenty years ago)

didnt the french win that one? do they still play the world cup? I thought it was a one off thing to promote soccer

― Mr Jones (Mr Jones), Tuesday, 23 May 2006 13:22 (twenty years ago)

no, yes, no.

― Konal Doddz (blueski), Tuesday, 23 May 2006 13:26 (twenty years ago)

USA are in the upcoming world cup, playing Italy in the group which should be a fairly decent game to watch.

― Ste (Fuzzy), Tuesday, 23 May 2006 13:28 (twenty years ago)

Come on you Eyeties!

― Samuel KB Amphong (Dada), Tuesday, 23 May 2006 13:30 (twenty years ago)

surely usa will win - they are the best!

― Mr Jones (Mr Jones), Tuesday, 23 May 2006 13:30 (twenty years ago)

The mistake FIFA made in the US was not to rename the tournament The World's Cup

― Samuel KB Amphong (Dada), Tuesday, 23 May 2006 13:33 (twenty years ago)

surely usa will win - they are the best!

FIFA Agrees!

(World rankings, April 2006)


1 	Brazil
2 	Czech Republic
3 	Netherlands
4 	USA
5 	Spain
6 	Mexico
7 	France
8 	Portugal
8 	Argentina
10 	England
11 	Denmark
12 	Nigeria
13 	Turkey
14 	Italy
15 	Cameroon
16 	Sweden
17 	Japan
18 	Egypt
19 	Greece
19 	Germany

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Tuesday, 23 May 2006 13:35 (twenty years ago)

I still can't believe that ranking. I'm *happy* with it obviously but I still can't believe it.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 23 May 2006 13:36 (twenty years ago)

The Brazilians sing such a soft bossa nova, but they can kick that ball hard!!!!

― Mr Jones (Mr Jones), Tuesday, 23 May 2006 13:37 (twenty years ago)

That's fine Ned, no-one else believes FIFA rankings either

― Samuel KB Amphong (Dada), Tuesday, 23 May 2006 13:38 (twenty years ago)

I had this poster in my bedroom:

http://home.att.net/~naslpics/teampics/76_kicks.jpg

I got this a year later, when I was 4. I stopped caring about soccer in 1981. Go Kicks!

― Fluffy Bear (Fluffy Bear Hearts Rainbows), Tuesday, 23 May 2006 13:43 (twenty years ago)

Note to Americans - don't get carried away, you only finish that high in the rankings becuase you spend most of your time playing Canada and Guatemala.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Tuesday, 23 May 2006 14:07 (twenty years ago)

Hooray!

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 23 May 2006 14:08 (twenty years ago)

Also bludy hell I know FIFA rankings are bollocks but are the Germans really that low down these days?

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Tuesday, 23 May 2006 14:09 (twenty years ago)

Don't worry, we won't get carried away.

― Nemo (JND), Tuesday, 23 May 2006 14:09 (twenty years ago)

Note to Matt DC: DUH WE IZ MURKUNS HOW DO WI SHOT FUTBOL WITHOUT USE OF HANDZ

― Haikunym (Haikunym), Tuesday, 23 May 2006 14:10 (twenty years ago)

Also: are you really going to brag about your qualifying victories over Wales, Poland, Azerbaijan (oops) and Northern Ireland (oops again)? I mean, as long as you're talking shit, let's do this right!*

*NB: I am not saying that we have a better chance in our (difficult) opening group than you have in your (easy-ass) group.

― Haikunym (Haikunym), Tuesday, 23 May 2006 14:20 (twenty years ago)

USA are gonna get sonned by Ghana in the World Cup. I'm shoving a tenner on a 3-0 victory for the (whatever Ghana's nickname is, considering they're an African team its something like "Grandiose Panthers of Doom")

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Tuesday, 23 May 2006 14:24 (twenty years ago)

Dude, the English will brag over any footballing victory, no matter how small or undeserved.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Tuesday, 23 May 2006 14:25 (twenty years ago)

xpost: Englisher in "all African countries are the same and their savage ways are humourous to me" NON SHOCKER. But you might well be right about Ghana.

― Haikunym (Haikunym), Tuesday, 23 May 2006 14:27 (twenty years ago)

Call me English again and I'll slap you.

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Tuesday, 23 May 2006 14:28 (twenty years ago)

stop acting like you're straight off "Little Britain" then

Ghana's team is the Black Stars, by the way

― Haikunym (Haikunym), Tuesday, 23 May 2006 14:29 (twenty years ago)

as i'm going to be in the States for the final i would very much like USA to do well, i think thats hoping a lot for them to go all the way though.

― Ste (Fuzzy), Tuesday, 23 May 2006 14:30 (twenty years ago)

I think it will be fun to see the USA team, but there are about five other teams I will be rooting for with more intensity and love.

Dom: I have only seen "Little Britain" twice, it was a rubbish insult because I didn't really mean it

― Haikunym (Haikunym), Tuesday, 23 May 2006 14:32 (twenty years ago)

i think USA will definitely win one match in Germany, against either the Czechs or Ghana - but i think the Czechs will pip them to second round. Ghana were terrible at Africa Nations so are unfancied now but who knows.

― Konal Doddz (blueski), Tuesday, 23 May 2006 14:37 (twenty years ago)

This is how I see the Italy/Czech/Ghana/USA group going.

Italy turn up disorganized after the recent "Italian football is a sham from top to bottom" scandals. Ghana start fired up, and take an early 1-0 lead after about 20 minutes. Italy scramble against it for the whole match before scoring an undeserved equaliser from a set piece in the 86th. Commentators use the word "plucky" a lot.

The Czechs beat the Yanks 1-0 in a tight, unexciting match.

Italy finally find their feet against the US, Toni scores a brace, comfortable 2-0 victory. Commentators say "And the Azzuri are back on course". Czech Republic vs Ghana: exciting 2-2 match of the tournament contender.

Ghana thrash USA 3-0, Freddy Adu carted off with career ending cruciate problems on 63 minutes. Italy manage 27 shots on target against the Czech Republic but can't tuck a single one away. Totti is brought on on the 67th minute for Gillardino, and promptly gets sent off for punching a Czech defender apropos of nothing. Match ends 0-0, Nesta misses an injury time penalty. Ghana qualify as winners, Czechs as runners up on goal difference, Berlusconi reported "shook".

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Tuesday, 23 May 2006 14:37 (twenty years ago)

I'm backing Ghana _because_ the "fancied" African team (this year: Ivory Coast) always turns up and does absolutely zip. Plus this is the first time since 86 when nobody's been talking up a legit African contender (probably because of the falls of the houses of Cameroon and Nigeria). So Ghana to "shock" "us" "all".

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Tuesday, 23 May 2006 14:41 (twenty years ago)

Plus America tends to have one "on" tournament followed by one "off" tournament. Great in 94, great in 02, an absolute abortion in 98.

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Tuesday, 23 May 2006 14:49 (twenty years ago)

I remember my girlfriend in 1994 having a puffy sticker of the cartoon dog that was the mascot. I remember as I was driving into Chicago seeing a billboard with a three-dimensional soccer ball sticking out of it.

And that's pretty much it.

― Pleasant Plains /// (Pleasant Plains ///), Tuesday, 23 May 2006 14:50 (twenty years ago)

call us "America" again and Brazil and Argentina and Mexico and Canada and a lot of other countries will slap you

― Haikunym (Haikunym), Tuesday, 23 May 2006 14:54 (twenty years ago)

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Tuesday, 23 May 2006 14:55 (twenty years ago)

[8--[]

― Haikunym (Haikunym), Tuesday, 23 May 2006 14:56 (twenty years ago)

Is that meant to be Landon Donovan?

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Tuesday, 23 May 2006 14:59 (twenty years ago)

If an African team ARE going to do well at this World Cup I think it will be Tunisia, but this is kinda off-topic so will stop now.

― Konal Doddz (blueski), Tuesday, 23 May 2006 15:02 (twenty years ago)

i remember the 1998 world cup very very well, because i lived on Little Brasil Street (aka 46th St) in Manhattan at the time. i have never seen such a quick change of mood.

― Tracey Hand (tracerhand), Tuesday, 23 May 2006 15:02 (twenty years ago)

I remember the 1994 world cup. Some of the games were held in Pontiac (the street signs saying "WORLD CUP 1994" were still up on Woodward Ave the last time I was there). I remember my parents were out of town so I had the house to myself, and I invited over a bunch of friends to watch the match against Brazil (on July 4!). Then, after Brazil went ahead and we knew that the U.S. didn't have a chance of getting an equalizer, we spent the rest of the day setting off illegal fireworks in the backyard. Good times.

― Aaron W (Aaron W), Tuesday, 23 May 2006 15:50 (twenty years ago)

the only thing I remember about the 1994 World Cup was that it spawned an okay pinball game.

― Shakey Mo Collier (Shakey Mo Collier), Tuesday, 23 May 2006 19:01 (twenty years ago)

Yeah, forgot about that one.

http://www.bmigaming.com/Images/world_cup_soccer-1994-f-1.jpg

― Pleasant Plains /// (Pleasant Plains ///), Tuesday, 23 May 2006 19:16 (twenty years ago)

I remember that July 4 - I was walking down Pennsylvania Ave around 24th that was completely dead except for this raucous crowd spilling out of a Brazilian restaurant and I think a string of flags across the street and some motorcycle cops.

― gabbneb (gabbneb), Tuesday, 23 May 2006 19:19 (twenty years ago)

bang it in the mixer!

― Teh HoBBercraft (the pirate king), Tuesday, 23 May 2006 22:24 (twenty years ago)

The 1994 US team was staying at the Dana Point Resort in Orange County, where my sister worked. I saw Cobi Jones and his girlfriend have an argument as they smoked cigarettes.

― polyphonic (polyphonic), Tuesday, 23 May 2006 22:29 (twenty years ago)

Those Bono commercials for the world cup make me want to kick someone in the face.

― The Mercury Krueger (Ex Leon), Tuesday, 23 May 2006 22:30 (twenty years ago)

Morocco 1 (90th minute) US 0 in tonight's friendly. They looked sloppy and tight, defense played well, offense was tentative. Also, Reyna out with hamstring thing.

― mcd (mcd), Wednesday, 24 May 2006 01:44 (twenty years ago)

Hang on, the Dutch are THIRD in the world rankings!??? That is actually madder than the American one.

― Gravel Puzzleworth (Gregory Henry), Wednesday, 24 May 2006 02:15 (twenty years ago)

Morocco 1 (90th minute) US 0 in tonight's friendly. They looked sloppy and tight, defense played well, offense was tentative. Also, Reyna out with hamstring thing.

Doesn't bode well does it.

― Aaron W (Aaron W), Wednesday, 24 May 2006 13:01 (twenty years ago)

Hang on, the Dutch are THIRD in the world rankings!??? That is actually madder than the American one.

esp. as they've beaten the #2 nation twice since Euro 2004.

― Konal Doddz (blueski), Wednesday, 24 May 2006 13:03 (twenty years ago)

I remember my brother and I wrapping ourselves in Holland flags (because he had just been there to play soccer) in our tiny living room right before our parents split up. And not caring about any teams except US and Holland.

― jocelyn (Jocelyn), Thursday, 25 May 2006 04:07 (twenty years ago)

I lived in Dallas and remember working at a music store, and having a lot of Europeans come in to buy stuff. One guy bought a Radiohead CD and said it was cheaper here than in the UK.

― Dominique (dleone), Thursday, 25 May 2006 11:51 (twenty years ago)

that pinball table was ACES, they used to have it in the tut and shive in cheltenham...

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Thursday, 25 May 2006 14:12 (twenty years ago)

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