1994 USMNT aimed to set soccer foundation in World Cup

The U.S. men’s national soccer team (USMNT) approached the 1994 World Cup in a pivotal role, knowing they had to advance beyond the group stage to strengthen soccer's future in the U.S. Players like Marcelo Balboa and Cobi Jones expressed the pressure of performing well amid intense scrutiny. The team managed to draw with Switzerland and surprisingly defeat Colombia, ultimately advancing to the knockout stage. Although Brazil eliminated them in the Round of 16, the tournament significantly raised the profile of soccer in America, helping to establish Major League Soccer two years later. Now, with the USMNT heading into the 2026 World Cup featuring a promising lineup, the impact of the 1994 tournament is evident.

• 10:06 AMYahoo Sports — 1994 USA World Cup team could have 'made soccer or broke soccer' in America