Exploring USMNT Tournament History Though the Digits Players Wore on the Biggest Stage

Claudio Reina He took over the team’s No. 10 shirt and main captain at the start of the 2002 cycle, retaining both until 2006.

Although he missed Portugal’s 3-2 upset in the opening match of 2002, Reina played every minute of the next four games, leading to the team’s memorable quarter-final run. The central midfielder showed his versatility in the round of 16 clash with Mexico, with the right wing-back slotting into his key in the Blues’ decision to switch to his 3-5-2 formation in his arena. demonstrated the ability to Reyna contributed to Bryan McBride’s opening goal that day, making him the only USMNT player to win a World Cup knockout he won a round.

Four years later, Reina joined Casey Keller, the first USMNT player to make a four World Cup roster, and the only player to captain the USMNT at two World Cups, wearing an armband in all three games in Germany. I wore A day after an injury forced him to miss the group stage final against Ghana, Reyna was one of his three players. announce international retirementThe father of current USMNT attacker Gio, Claudio was one of seven players to have double-digit appearances at the World Cup, and the seven games he captained were among the best among American players. is the most.

Reina’s teammate in 2002 and 2006, Landon Donovan She shone in South Africa wearing number 10. his his 47^th His one-minute goal against Slovenia helped his team bounce back from a 2-0 halftime deficit, but he also became the third American man to score in multiple World Cups.

He was responsible for perhaps the most memorable moment in USMNT lore in the following game. The injury-time winner against Algeria saved the USA from a group stage exit, instead propelling the team to the top of the group for the first time since 1930. In his round of knockouts against Ghana, Donovan became the only USMNT player to score in his Cup match in his third straight Worlds match, with 62 penalties he also became the first player to score from a spot. became.^nd A minute equalizer pushed the match into extra time.

1990: Peter Vermes – 3 GPs / 270 minutes
1994: Roy Wegerle – 4 GPs / 103 minutes

1998: Tab Ramos – 2 GPs / 78 minutes
2002: Claudio Reina – 4 GP / 360 minutes

2006: Claudio Reina – 3 GP / 220 minutes

2010: Landon Donovan – 4 GPs / 390 minutes / 3 goals

2014: Mixed Disceld – DNP

USMNT #11 – Brenden Aaronson

After making their USMNT debut that February, Eric Winalda (picture below) Italy ’90 started its third consecutive FIFA World Cup as the team’s 11th-place finish. The San Diego State player, who turned 21 the day before the tournament opened, showed his frustration with his team’s 3–0 deficit when Czechoslovakian Lubomir he shoved Moravczyk from behind. Swiss referee Kurt Roethlisberger showed Wynalda a bright red card in the 52nd minute.^nd By that time, the USA had been reduced to 10 men and he was ruled out of the next game against Italy.

Wynalda returned for the group finale against Austria, but made a correction four years later in the tournament opener at home. After Switzerland’s Georges Breguy scored with his 39,^th After a minute free kick, Winalda returned the favor to equalize just before half-time with a 25-yard free kick into the top left corner that energized the more than 73,000 people in attendance at the Pontiac Silverdome. I was.

“To be honest, I almost couldn’t believe it,” he said of the goal that gave America its first point at the World Cup for the first time in 44 years. I didn’t know what to do. That was my biggest goal in life.”

Wynalda played in all four World Cup ’94 games, and two more in France ’98, becoming the first USMNT player to appear in three World Cups when he started the tournament’s opener against Germany. became.