By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Oct 14, 2013) US Soccer Players – The 2002 World Cup finals in South Korea and Japan will go down as the tournament with the most shock results. Although Brazil won the World Cup against Germany, a game between two traditional titans, the third-place match featured co-hosts South Korea and Turkey, two surprise teams. Then there was the United States. The USMNT reached the quarterfinals – losing to Germany in a tight, controversial (more on that later) game – and had its best World Cup since finishing third in 1930.

For the USMNT, this was the first time the team showed any real depth. MLS was barely seven years old, but it had already helped get American players exposure to the rigors of a competitive league. Coach Bruce Arena had several options at his disposal. Aside from the core veterans – the team he brought to the finals averaged 29 years in age – he had many youngsters from the 1999 Under-17 World Cup squad. Joining Clint Mathis and Claudio Reyna was Landon Donovan and DaMarcus Beasley – the last two still active members of the US team – and Brad Friedel in goal. Although no one knew it at the time, this team was about to make history.

The USA entered the tournament having won just four World Cup finals games in 72 years. No one thought they could defeat their group D opponents Portugal in the opener, and co-hosts South Korea and Poland made advancing a tough assignment. Due to the time difference, the USA played Portugal on ESPN2 at 4:55am Eastern Time on June 5th. Those who got up early that morning were in for a treat. Read More