Friendlies

14.05.1988: USA 0-2 Colombia
Line-up: Vanole – Krumpe, Trittschuh, Doyle, Banks, Diffley, Davis, Gabarra (Eichmann), Vermes, Goulet (Murray), Borja (Klopas)

01.06.1988: USA 1-1 Chile
Goal: Eichmann
Line-up: Fuchs – Doyle, Balboa, Velazco, James (Megson), Fraser, Sullivan (Fox), Grimes (Murray), Eichmann, Pastor (Kirk), Gabarra

03.06.1988: USA 1-3 Chile
Goal: Borja (pen.)
Line-up: Dodd – Fraser, Balboa, Velazco, James (Kirk), Megson (Sullivan), Fox (Cogsville), Borja, Eichmann, Pastor, Murray

05.06.1988: USA 0-3 Chile
Line-up: Fuchs – Fraser, Trittschuh, Gillen (Pastor), Banks (Covone), Cogsville (Fox), Diffley, Grimes, Eichmann, Kirk, Collins (Sullivan)

07.06.1988: USA 0-1 Ecuador
Line-up: Meola – Gillen (Grimes), Balboa, Trittschuh, Diffley, Cogsville, Fox, Borja, Klopas, Collins, Kerr

10.06.1988: USA 0-2 Ecuador
Line-up: Vanole – Balboa, Trittschuh, Windischmann, Klopas (Diffley), Davis, Gabarra, Murray, Vermes, Pastor (Fraser), Eichmann

12.06.1988: USA 0-0 Ecuador
Line-up: Duback – Krumpe, Trittschuh, Windischmann (Balboa), Bliss (Diffley), Fox (Fraser), Davis, Gabarra, Kirk (Eichmann), Vermes, Murray

14.06.1988: USA 1-0 Costa Rica
Goal: Ryerson (pen.)
Line-up: Dodd – Agoos, Gillen, Grimes, Onalfo, Covone, Cogsville (Luzniak), Raphael (S. Snow), Ryerson, K. Snow (Sullivan), Thompson

13.07.1988: USA 0-2 Poland
Line-up: Duback – Doyle, Trittschuh (Banks), Windischmann, Bliss, Krumpe, Stollmeyer, Gabarra, Klopas, Vermes, Murray (Armstrong)

World Cup qualifying second knock-out round

First leg
24.07.1988
Jamaica 0-0 USA
Line-up: Vanole – Armstrong (Trittschuh 76), Crow, Doyle, Windischmann, Davis, Stollmeyer, Bliss, Klopas, Vermes, Murray (Borja 61)

Second leg
13.08.1988
USA 5-1 Jamaica
Goals: Bliss, Pérez (pen.), Klopas 2, Krumpe
Line-up (4-3-3): Vanole – Armstrong, Crow, Trittschuh, Windischmann (Pérez h-t) – Krumpe, Davis (c), Bliss – Klopas, Vermes, Gabarra (Murray 64)

USA through to the qualification group stage with a 5-1 aggregate score.

A 30 minutes long clip is available via Youtube, although it only contains about 25 minutes from the first half, so one needs to watch this reel in order to get a view of all six goals. The game takes place at a packed St. Louis Soccer Park in Missouri (6100 crowd), and the temperature around kick-off is 27 C. After that scoreless draw in the first leg, the US were favourites to progress through, although the commentators make sure to point out that the US team were not quite used to such a tag. If they lost, it would “set the [soccer] programme back two or three years”, according to head coach Lothar Osiander. 

They are two 4-3-3 units going at one another. USA have the solid David Vanole as their first choice goalkeeper, a position which he’s been holding for more than two years at this point. At the back, Kevin Crow is the spare man, while Mike Windischmann is seen operating the left-sided defensive flank, with Desmond Armstrong initially holding the right-back position. Steve Trittschuh appears to be marking Ramon Christian. Captain Rick Davis is the centre midfielder among the three, with Paul Krumpe to his right and the energetic Brian Bliss to his left. 21 year old Frankie Klopas, a youngster of which big things are expected, operates the right-sided forward role, with Peter Vermes in the middle and Jim Gabarra, sporting his terrific mullet, to the left. Vermes, incidentally, is constantly tracked by Jamaica centre-back Frederick Thompson.

The visitors have Barrington Gaynor at right- and Dave Brooks at left-back, with captain Anthony Corbett the spare man in the heart of their defence, with Thompson the man-marker. Their central midfielder is Carl Grant, who has Winston Anglin and Alton Sterling ahead of him to his right and left respectively. The three up top are Dennis Hudson (right), Ramon Christian (centre) and Michael Tulloch (left). 

The footage which we’re privy to contains not a whole lot in terms of quality, although there are opportunities in both directions. Gabarra has a speculative effort not too far wide, while both Anglin and Christian arrive at chances down the other side. Windischmann at one point needs to bail his ‘keeper out by a late saving block. 

The only first half goal comes from the US’ Bliss, who neatly side-foots home following some fine work by the agile Vermes to the right inside the area, with Corbett unable to block the cross. 

After the break, Vermes twice hits the woodwork at 1-0, before a low free-kick from just outside the box sees Sterling tie the score at one-all. Midway through the half, exciting attacking midfielder Hugo Pérez, a half-time substitute, restores the home side’s lead following a penalty which he’d earned himself after tripping over Brooks’ foot. From then onwards it turns into a rout with a brace from Klopas and a goal from Krumpe, two of them set up by substitute Bruce Murray. 

USA at the 1988 Olympic Games

18.09.1988: USA 1-1 Argentina
Goal: Windischmann
Line-up: Vanole – Krumpe, Crow, Armstrong, Bliss, Ramos (Harkes), Davis, Caligiuri, Vermes, Goulet (Windischmann), Murray

20.09.1988: South Korea 0-0 USA
Line-up: Vanole – Krumpe, Crow, Armstrong, Bliss, Harkes (Stollmeyer), Davis, Caligiuri, Klopas, Goulet, Ramos (Doyle)

22.09.1988: USA 2-4 Soviet Union
Goals: Goulet, Doyle
Line-up: Vanole – Krumpe (Armstrong), Crow, Doyle, Bliss, Davis, Stollmeyer (Goulet), Caligiuri, Klopas, Vermes, Murray 

A very credible opening day draw against Argentina, whose Olympic side may not have been as good as their ‘A’ select, but still. Then they followed that up with a goalless draw against the host nation, and an expected loss against the Soviet Union, who had a very strong team. The Soviets were 4-0 up before Goulet and Doyle pulled each their goal back. This meant that USA bowed out after the group stage. 

Managerial change

The Olympic football tournament became Osiander and Pérez’ final matches in charge of the USMNT, and by medio January 1989 a 47 year old Hungary born man of German descent, Bob Gansler, took over. He had led the country’s U20 team for the two previous years. Gansler would be assisted by 46 year old Joe Machnik, a former goalkeeper. 

World Cup qualifying group stage

Match 1
16.04.1989: Costa Rica 1-0 USA
Line-up (4-4-2): Duback – Balboa, Windischmann (c), Trittschuh, Bliss – Harkes, Stollmeyer, Ramos (Klopas 75), Murray – Vermes, Goulet (Gabarra 80)
The US came up against a defensively well organized Costarican unit, and just couldn’t break them down after having gone a goal down early. 

Match 2  
30.04.1989: USA 1-0 Costa Rica
Goal: Ramos (72)
Line-up: Vanole – Balboa, Windischmann, Trittschuh, Bliss (Gabarra 81) – Harkes, Stollmeyer, Ramos – Klopas (Vermes 42), Goulet, Murray
Ramos’ goal took a wicked deflection off Costa Rica captain Flores, while Vanole saved a late penalty after Trittschuh had handled on the line. The visitors also had two goals disallowed after what seemed like marginal decisions. 

Match 3
13.05.1989: USA 1-1 Trinidad & Tobago
Goal: Trittschuh (48)
Line-up (3-5-2): Vanole – Balboa, Windischmann (c), Trittschuh – Klopas, Ramos (Gabarra 62), Stollmeyer, Harkes, Pastor (Vermes h-t) – Goulet, Murray
USA had to make do with a draw having conceded late in a game they ought to have seen out after Trittschuh’s excellent goal early in the second half.

Match 4
17.06.1989: USA 2-1 Guatemala
Goals: Murray (3), Eichmann (68)
Line-up (3-5-2): Vanole – Banks, Windischmann (c), Trittschuh – Bliss (Doyle 85), Ramos, Stollmeyer, Harkes, Gyau (Caligiuri h-t) – Eichmann, Murray
A hard-fought US win on home turf in a match with not a lot of goalscoring opportunities. Murray’s excellent early volley gave them the upper hand, though they lost their way somewhat, and allowed the visitors to equalize. Eichmann’s close range prod turned out to be the hugely important winner.

Match 5 
17.09.1989: El Salvador 0-1 USA
Goal: Pérez (61)
Line-up (3-5-2): Meola – Banks, Windischmann (c), Trittschuh – Ramos, Pérez, Stollmeyer, Harkes, Bliss – Vermes (Eichmann 80), Murray
USA claim a vital, necessary win on neutral ground in Honduras, but they have to wait until Pérez’ header on the hour. The El Salvador born schemer was making his first appearance of the qualification group stage, and showed some fine combinations with Ramos along the right hand side. Meola was forced into a fine first half save from a long distance free-kick, but USA were rarely threatened. Both Vermes and Ramos were denied by Rivera in the first half, while the ‘keeper foiled the visitors on a number of occasions after the break. Deserved two points for USA, although they were made to work hard. 

Match 6
08.10.1989: Guatemala 0-0 USA
Line-up: Meola – Banks, Windischmann, Trittschuh, Doyle, Harkes, Stollmeyer, Bliss, Gabarra (Klopas 61), Vermes, Murray (Eck 77)
USA couldn’t find a goal to take them level on points with Trinidad&Tobago in the quest for second place, but perhaps was this a point earned rather than one lost. There was no Ramos or Eichmann due to suspension, while big Doyle came in for a rare start, something which also applied to Gabarra. 

Match 7 
05.11.1989: USA 0-0 El Salvador
Line-up (3-5-2): Meola – Banks, Windischmann (c), Trittschuh – Armstrong (Klopas 57), Ramos, Stollmeyer, Harkes, Bliss (Gabarra 83) – Eichmann, Murray
In need of a win before their final qualifier in Port of Spain, USA struggle to come to terms not only with the opposition, but also with the very windy conditions. They toil right through the game, but have precious little creativity on the day, and are hardly a difficult proposition for the since long eliminated El Salvadorians to handle. There are a few attampts, but none really threatening, and 0-0 describes the game well. Trailing the Trinis by a point, USA now must win their outstanding World Cup qualifier in two weeks’ time. 

Match 8
19.11.1989: Trinidad & Tobago 0-1 USA
Goal: Caligiuri (31)
Line-up (3-5-2): Meola – Trittschuh, Windischmann (c), Doyle – Krumpe (Stollmeyer 62), Ramos, Caligiuri, Harkes, Bliss – Vermes, Murray
USA made it to Italia ’90 thanks to a very measured performance in difficult and intimidating surroundings in Trinidad&Tobago. Having made a number of changes since their last outing, manager Gansler got his reward, not least having added Caligiuri to the defensive midfield role which had been Stollmeyer’s right through the campaign until this final fixture. The West Germany based pro scored with a wonder strike after half an hour, and USA rarely looked like conceding as they left a very accomplished and professional impression for most of the 90 minutes. They stifled their hosts’ attacking threats, and ultimately earned their win, even if they also didn’t create much that goal apart. Not that they needed. Not that they cared. 

Qualification verdict

It was never straight forward for USA, who struggled to find the back of the net. Only six goals in their eight group stage qualifier was hardly an impressive tally, but conversely they only let in three, so their eventual success was built on a rock solid defensive. In the opener at Costa Rica they conceded early, and couldn’t get back on level terms, even if they gave a decent account of themselves. As we saw it, they began their set of eight matches in a 4-4-2 formation, but would switch to 3-5-2 for the remaining seven. 

They avenged the loss in Costa Rica by returning the favour on the Ticos by winning 1-0, although there was more than just a hint of fortune about their victory, as the visitors had had two goals chalked off and goalkeeper David Vanole had saved a penalty. Tab Ramos’ matchwinning goal came courtesy of a deflection. A win is however a win, and they were on their way, although they were dented by an 88th minute equalizer as they were held by Trinidad&Tobago in their next match, also at home. 

Manager Bob Gansler had identified key personell who would start each of these eight qualifiers. They were libero Mike Windischmann, the captain in the centre of their three man defensive line, Steve Trittschuh, also a part of the central defensive unit, workhorse midfielder John Harkes, as well as enthusiastic striker Bruce Murray. The latter featured in a couple of different positions early on, but would soon become the manager’s first pick up front, despite his lack of goals return. His solitary strike was a fantastic volley in the 2-1 home win against Guatemala. Another trusted player was John Stollmeyer, who started their seven first group stage qualifiers, and Brian Bliss, too, who was often a defensive wide midfielder across their quintet. 

The USA team was a remarkably young one, with players typically in their early 20s. They were a gutsy team; there was usually plenty of commitment and effort. They were well balanced, and also contained some gifted individuals in terms of technical ability. Said Ramos, another key component who only missed one of the eight matches due to suspension for having accumulated two yellow cards, had vision and flair, but would at times drift out of games. 

Big Trittschuh scored an immaculate goal in that 1-1 with Trinidad&Tobago, when he chested down a ball into the area and fired home before the ball had touched the ground. As the Trinis would go on a run where they won three and drew one from four, to set them up nicely before the group’s finale with USA travelling to the Southern Caribbean, the equalizer which the Americans had conceded so late in their home game against Trinidad&Tobago had looked increasingly costly. However, they won successive games against Guatemala at home and then against El Salvador on neutral terrain in Honduras, before another couple of blanks against the same two opponents in the respective return fixtures. This meant USA, level on points but with a slightly inferior goal difference, needed to win that clash on the island of Trinidad. 

The management had shaken things up a little for that match, as players who had been regulars throughout were relegated to the substitutes’ bench, first and foremost holding midfielder Stollmeyer. Paul Caligiuri, who came in for him in his first start in this series, won the plaudits with his remarkable matchwinning goal, the shot “heard around the world”, as commentator JP Dellacamera so famously uttered. Half an hour into a surprisingly mundane contest, the West Germany based defender/midfielder’s goal settled it, with USA rarely troubled. Young Tony Meola in goal had at the end of that game kept a clean sheet in his four appearances at the end of the qualification. USA had qualified for Italia ’90 at the expense of the Trinis, who had given it a great effort. 

It must be added that some big players either didn’t figure at all or only figured very sparingly due to injury, first and foremost the team captain, namely midfielder Rick Davis, but also players such as Hugo Pérez, whose only appearance in eight saw him score the only goal of the game at Honduras against El Salvador, the country of his origin. Desmond Armstrong and Paul Krumpe also had their issues, and only had a single appearance each. 

1989 international friendlies

04.06.1989: USA 3-0 Peru
Goals: Bliss, Ramos, Murray
Line-up: Meola – Banks, Windischmann, Trittschuh, Bliss, Harkes, Stollmeyer, Ramos, Eichmann, Gyau (Pastor), Murray (Gabarra)

24.06.1989: USA 0-1 Colombia
Line-up: Vanole (Meola) – Banks, Windischmann, Trittschuh, Bliss, Harkes, Stollmeyer (Doyle), Caligiuri (Pastor), Eichmann, Murray, Gabarra (Gyau)

13.08.1989: USA 1-2 South Korea
Goal: Harkes
Line-up: Vanole – Banks (Trittschuh), Balboa, Windischmann, Doyle, Harkes, Stollmeyer, Bliss (Gabarra), Eichmann, Murray (S. Snow), Caligiuri

14.11.1989: USA 2-1 Bermuda
Goals: Doyle, Eichmann
Line-up: Meola – Krumpe, Windischmann, Trittschuh (Doyle), Banks, Harkes (Eichmann), Caligiuri (Stollmeyer), Ramos, Vermes, Murray (Eck), Pérez (Bliss)

In 1988, the US’ friendlies had had quite experimental line-ups, and while this to a degree continued in this batch of 1989 friendlies, they were also certainly looking stronger and more competitive in terms of the sides which they put out. 

Players like Hugo Pérez and Rick Davis were said to be some of the USMNT’s biggest assets, though they were unable to showcase their talent on a consistent level. They were both struggling with injuries.

Young goalkeeper Tony Meola (turned 20 in Feb ’89) was starting to stake a claim for a place in the squad (at the very least), although ousting the experienced David Vanole seemed a difficult task. Seasoned defenders Mike Windischmann and Steve Trittschuh had been regulars even during these friendlies, and a relatively reliable young defender by the name of Desmond Armstrong was also looking a likely candidate for a starting berth. The versatile Brian Bliss was capable of slotting in at various positions, preferably as the left-sided alternative in a midfield three or at left-back, while John Stollmeyer’s clever head saw him fit for the deeper among the three midfield roles. John Harkes would also be there or thereabouts in terms of starting line-ups, and Paul Caligiuri would also fill in when available. In addition, they had the immensely gifted Tab Ramos, of Uruguayan heritage, for one of the midfield berths. They seemed well equipped in this department. 

Up front, in a trio of forwards, Peter Vermes, of Hungarian parents, was consistently featuring, and so too was Bruce Murray. Brent Goulet was another player who seemed to struggle with injuries, and so didn’t take part as often as he and/or the national team management would’ve been hoping. A player of some promise in Frank Klopas had looked a favourite of Lothar Osiander’s, and he provided yet another option also under the new regime, as did Jim Gabarra, who was also capable of slotting in in midfield. 

Altogether, they had plenty of players available to them, but were they good enough to compete with top nations from other continents?