US Soccer Fedration Centennial Moment: Italia '90

When it comes to pinpointing the moment that soccer became "mainstream" in America, a shot in the dark is as good as one in the Caribbean daylight. On November 9th, 1989 Paul Caligiuri's winning goal in Trinidad (a.k.a. the shot heard around the world) qualified the USA into the 1990 FIFA World Cup.

However, it should not be mistaken as the beginning of America's great soccer past. It was not so much an explosion as a slow leak that eventually pooled into the masses that now follow the world's game inside the United States.

It was annouced this week that Colorado, the venue for the US National Team's upcoming World Cup Qualifying match, reportedly sold out in ONE hour.



This pennant (above) celebrates the USA rejoining the World Cup Finals after 56 years.

The significance of the 1990 World Cup for America cannot be understated. The last time the USA played a World Cup match in Italy, they lost 7:1 in what was then a one-off qualifying game. From that date the USA was absent from soccer's top showcase for over 50 years !

The squad that would represent America in 1990 would be hailed as pioneers and heroes. Albiet the return to Rome was not spectacular, great stride would be made even in its 1:0 loss to the hosts at Italia '90.

Marcelo Balboa (far left) and company were unlucky not to pull off an upset over hosts Italy.

The Management and organization of US Soccer improved predominantly with tune-up friendlies like the MARLBORO CUP where the inexperienced Yanks were tested against fellow qualifiers Uruguay, Colombia, South Korea and the Soviet Union and club giants Juventus, Benfica and Flamengo.

The 1990 World Cup jersey of Marcelo Balboa (above and below) 

Among those heroic players which included Eric Wynalda, Kasey Keller, John Harkes, Tab Ramos and Peter Vermes was Marcelo Balboa who made 128 appearences for the USA. He was the first American to earn 100 caps.

 



The FIFA World Cup ticket from Italy.

Domesticly, Balboa won a league title with the San Francisco Bay Blackhawks. He would win another league championship with the Colorado Foxes before moving on to Leon in Mexico.

 



The 1990 Panini World Cup sticker of Marcelo Balboa.

Marcelo and his teammates would be the first US National Team players to appear on a licensed soccer product (see above) when they were included in the 1990 Panini sticker set.

Marcelo Balboa's Colorado Rapids MLS jersey.



Marcelo Balboa would return to Colorado for the inaugural season of Major League Soccer. Under his leadership, the Rapids made it to the 1997 MLS Cup Final. He was elected to the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2005. 

World Cup Fever Grips Bonhams Football Auction

Bonhams Auctions (Chester, England) held their Sporting Memorabilia sale in conjunction with the first week of the 2010 World Cup. It was no surpise with the frenzy the global tournament reaches, that bidding was intense.

As expected, the England based auction company featured items from their finest moment - the 1966 World Cup - which the nation hosted and won. Topping the list was Geoff Hurst's red England shirt. Although it was only his spare, and never worn, it fetched 8,880 Pound Stirling (approximatly 1 Pound = $1.50) or about $13,138.00 US dollars.

Next in line was from the international career of Welsh legend - John Charles. His 1957-58 season winners medal with Italian club Juventus also brought 8,880.00 Pounds ($13,138). 

Former Scottish International and Newcastle United player Jimmy Scoular's career,   World Cup items, including David Beckham, were highlighted along with these medals and jerseys:

- 1966 England World Cup jersey - Ian Callaghan L2,280 ($3,375)

- 1966 West Germany World Cup jersey - Siegfred Held - L2,520 ($3,730)

- 1952 N. Ireland jersey - Danny Blanchflower - L1,740 (2,575)

- 1986 England World Cup jersey - Kenny Sansom - L1,020 ($1,509)

- 1998 England Team jacket - David Beckham - L264 ($391)

- 1955 Newcastle's F.A. Cup medal - J. Scoular - L6,960 ($10,297)

- 1951 Newcastle's F.A. Cup medal - Fairbrother - L6,000 ($8,877)

- 1984 Watford F.A. Cup runner-up medal - Les Taylor - L3,960 ($5,859)

Other artifacts from autographs to game programs filled the catalog including a 1966 hand-signed England World Cup Team photograph - 3,280 Pounds ($4,854), and a 1937 Scottish Cup match program between Celtic and Aberdeen L420  ($622).

Of interest to American soccer history were the USA jersey swapped with Jimmy Scoular in Scotland's 1952 match with United States L816 ($1,208) and the jersey of Ramon Mifflin who appeared for Team USA in the 1976 Bicentennial Cup against England L 720 ($1,066).

Also proving that paper is not pulp - An autographed poster of PELE's Farewell Game from 1977 rang up L744 ($1,102) and a game program from Liverpool's 1964 Tour match vs. the San Francisco Select Team hammered at L 240 ($355).

Bonhams is associated with Bonham & Buttefields of California. They are expected to feature more international sporting memorabilia in the future.