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Article: United States shocks Portugal in opener; Reversal: 'Losers' pull off World Cup upset
- Article from:
- Telegraph - Herald (Dubuque)
- Article date:
- June 6, 2002
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright 2002 Telegraph - Herald (Dubuque). Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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SUWON, South Korea (AP) - What a way to start a World Cup.
Branded last-place losers for four years, the United States gave
soccer - and the folks back home - a wakeup call Wednesday with a
shocking 3-2 upset of Portugal, the world's fifth-ranked team.
"I think this victory will grab the attention of a lot of people
in the United States," U.S. coach Bruce Arena said.
Missing Claudio Reyna, their best player, and Clint Mathis, their
most imaginative attacker, the Americans took a 3-0 lead in the first
36 minutes behind goals by John O'Brien and Brian McBride, and a
cross by Landon Donovan that a Portuguese defender knocked into his
own net.
The U.S. players looked stunned by their success.
"I ...