SUWON (South Korea), June 5: The United States recorded their greatest soccer victory in over half a century when they upset fancied Portugal 3-2 in their World Cup opening group D clash on Wednesday.
The United States, whose win revived memories of their 1-0 defeat of England in the 1950 World Cup, took a surprise 3-0 lead after just 36 minutes with goals from midfielders John O’Brien and Landon Donovan and forward Brian McBride.
The Portuguese, appearing at their first finals since 1986, pulled a goal back just before the interval from defender Beto Severo. After piling on the pressure in the second half, an own goal from U.S. defender Jeff Agoos put the Portuguese within striking range.
But they failed to stop the shock defeat to a team, who lost all of their group matches at the last tournament in 1998.
“We came out really strong, we played 30 or 40 minutes of outstanding soccer in the first half,” U.S. coach Bruce Arena said. “I think this victory will grab the attention of a lot of people in the United States.
Asked if if was the biggest U.S. victory ever, he replied: “In the modern era, I think you could argue that this is the best victory that the United States has had.”
Portugal’s coach, Antonio Oliveira, said the United States created a lot of difficulties for his side.
“We already expected them to be very fit. We did not expect to concede any goals,” he added.
“What we tried to do was to get a draw but we didn’t have any luck. We now have to prepare for the next game and we have only one option, which is to win both games.”
The U.S. last won a game at the finals in 1994 on their home soil when they beat Colombia 2-1 in a group game and reached the second round before going out to Brazil. They have not scored three goals in one match at the tournament since 1930.
Portugal, semi-finalists at Euro 2000, were expected to make a serious challenge after scoring more goals than any other European nation in the qualifying competition.
But the United States, 300-1 outsiders to win the tournament compared to Portugal’s 12-1, caught them cold with an early goal in the fourth minute.
O’Brien pounced at the post to score from close range at a corner after Portugal goalkeeper Vitor Baia failed to hold a glancing header from McBride as he dived to his left.
The Portuguese showed nerves in their approach play. After they gave the ball away deep in their own half, the United States went 2-0 up in the 29th minute.
A speculative cross from the right from midfielder Donovan took an unfortunate deflection off Jorge Costa, leaving Baia completely wrong-footed and unable to stop the ball sneaking past the post.
Portugal seemed to lose all their composure. The Americans went 3-0 ahead just seven minutes later when McBride scored with a superb diving head after a cross from the right from Tony Sanneh.
Luis Figo, their 2001 world player of the year, worked hard down the left flank after starting the match on the right.
The Portuguese had virtually all of the game in the second half and narrowed the gap to 3-2 when Agoos put the ball in his own net after a cross from Pauleta.
But the Americans managed to hang on desperately.
“We put the pressure on and we took advantage of our chances,” McBride said. “The second half we probably sat back a little bit, but we bunkered in and held them off.”
Arena paid tribute to his defence. “It was the defence which won the game and we kept Portugal on their heels,” he said, but he added:
“Our World Cup is not over and our goal is to make the second round.”
The U.S. team’s next game is against co-hosts South Korea on June 10.
“They are a very very good team so we have to come out prepared,” McBride said.—Reuters