What was the best game the us ever played?

[dxp969]

Looking at the great performances in the 1-0 win against mexico and the 6-0 win against panama I was wondering if we have ever played games on levels far above those games?


In short, Which game do you consider the finest the nats ever played?

[mschofield]

Looking at the great performances in the 1-0 win against mexico and the 6-0 win against panama I was wondering if we have ever played games on levels far above those games?


In short, Which game do you consider the finest the nats ever played?
Any world cup win would have to be in the mix, so, since the list is short:
US 3 - 0 Paraguay, US 3 - 0 Belgium 1930 WC in Uraguay.
US 1 - 0 England 1950 WC in Brazil.
US 2- 1 Colombia 1994 WC in US.
US 3- 2 Portugal, US 2 - 0 Mexico 2002 WC in sk/j.

The best game of those that I've seen is probably the 2-0 mexico win, as it got us into the quarterfinals, and was a pretty dominating win against a high quality team in the highest profile setting, and with high quality goals.
I hope the current team matches and exceeds any of these wins, but until they're qualified and playing in the cup, I don't think that's possible.
Arguments can be made that "great losses" should also be included, and I'd say0-1 to Italy in Italy 1990, 0-1 Brazil in US 1994 and 0-1 to Germany in SKJ 2002 would fall into that category.
But my vote for best game ever would be the Mexico second round win, followed by Colombia, and admitting I'm not giving enough credit to the 1930 team. the 1950 win might be the most interesting we've had, though.

[Calexico77]

I'm obviously biased, because I never saw the 1950 game. . .

But I have to go with the win over Portugal, for a few reasons.

1) 1-0 over a power is a fluke. 3-2 over a power is a glorious battle. The Nats held on. They attacked and never gave in. They showed talent AND character on the biggest stage against a major world power.

2) That win seemed to wake up a lot of dormant soccer fans. Like me. I was sorta into the Galaxy, sorta into the Nats (I was actually supporting Ireland that WC), and then BAM!!! I was a U.S. band-wagon-riding-glory hunter. I've been a major supporter ever since. But I know it was a major wake up call for the entire soccer community in this country, as well.

3) It also set the stage for Euro 2004. It's anybody's game. You just have to fight hard and stay disciplined.

[gohb]

The 2-0 win over Mexico in WC 2002. Absolutely suffocating defense, two fine goals. Complete control of the game (even if they did get lucky with O'Brien's handball).

[andylovesoccer]

I would say either the Mexico or Germany match in WC 2002.

[pasoccerdave]

I would nominate the US win over Argentina 3-0 in the Copa America tournament under Steve Sampson in 1995.

This was a huge shock to South America, a boost to the US Team, and really helped pave the path from WC 1994 to where we've come today.

[lmorin]

The question is which game was best played, not won. I nominate the loss to Germany in WC02. Great, great game.

[Cweedchop]

The question is which game was best played, not won. I nominate the loss to Germany in WC02. Great, great game.

Bingo..

To me, even though we lost on the scoreboard, everyone knew the US was the better team on the day.. We showed the world that the US is capable of putting forth a world class effort at a critical time.. How would the US be viewed today if a few breaks went our way on that fateful Friday?

- what if Kahn doesn't get that micro-touch on Donovan's brilliant solo run and shot on goal?

- what if Landon is allowed to break in all alone early in the match when he was incorrectly called offside?

- what if a handball was called and the US is allowed an opportunity to tie the match?

- what if Reyna's midfield effort had only stayed straight instead of tailing to his left at the worst possible moment?

- what if Sanneh could only direct his header on frame late in the match?


I dare say that match against Germany was the best effort the US has ever put forth..

[StillKickin]

Bingo..

To me, even though we lost on the scoreboard, everyone knew the US was the better team on the day.. We showed the world that the US is capable of putting forth a world class effort at a critical time.. How would the US be viewed today if a few breaks went our way on that fateful Friday?

- what if Kahn doesn't get that micro-touch on Donovan's brilliant solo run and shot on goal?

- what if Landon is allowed to break in all alone early in the match when he was incorrectly called offside?

- what if a handball was called and the US is allowed an opportunity to tie the match?

- what if Reyna's midfield effort had only stayed straight instead of tailing to his left at the worst possible moment?

- what if Sanneh could only direct his header on frame late in the match?


I dare say that match against Germany was the best effort the US has ever put forth..
I'm with you on this one too. I watched the "Coming of Age" DVD last night, and we had so many opportunities to score in addition to what you've listed here, especially in the second half. Good build-up and interplay between McBride and Donovan led to a weak shot by Eddie Lewis; good play by Donovan where he turns in the box, only to get off a weak shot; seems I recall Clint Mathis blasting a fairly open shot over the net.

There were so many what ifs.

[sidefootsitter]

There were so many what ifs.
What if Miro Klose doesn't hit the goalpost?

[Octavius Agustus]

What if Miro Klose doesn't hit the goalpost?

Then it just goes wide and out of play, what's your point. :D

[Tyler66]

The only US games that I've ever seen were the 1-0 loss to Germany and the 2-0 win over Mexico in WC02. It's tough, cuz USA outplayed Germany in that game and this is coming from someone who was supporting Germany in the world cup, but I'm now a USA fan.

[Elninho]

I'd also say the loss to Germany in the World Cup quarters.

However, there are a few other matches worth mentioning...

0-2 loss to the Netherlands, friendly in 2002 - if Ronald Waterreus hadn't had one of the best games of his career in the Dutch goal, the US might have won 3-2 or 4-2.

4-0 win vs. Honduras, friendly in early 2002 - beautiful play throughout, holding Honduras to only one or two shots the entire match; the same Honduras lineup later dismantled Slovenia's World Cup team 5-1.

1-0 win vs. Mexico, friendly in 2004 - Donovan and Zavagnin dominated the middle of the field; the winning goal was in second-half stoppage time, but given the run of play the win was fully deserved.

[scaryice]

There's no way that a game where we didn't even score is the best game we've ever played. Come on.

[goussoccer]

There's no way that a game where we didn't even score is the best game we've ever played. Come on.

Not true...I too would have to go with Germany in a close call over the win against Portugal. Against Portugal, WE hung on, against Germany, they hung on ALL game. For pure joy, pick Portugal or any of the recent wins against Mexico, but for purity of the game across the entire game, we played the best against the best opponent - Germany.

[geordienation]

Gotta be Portugal. Prohibative underdogs, the US played lights out.

[Lord15]

I would nominate the US win over Argentina 3-0 in the Copa America tournament under Steve Sampson in 1995.

This was a huge shock to South America, a boost to the US Team, and really helped pave the path from WC 1994 to where we've come today.


Ding Ding. Winner.

Go back and look at the rosters for Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Columbia and Chile for this tournament. Argentina was the best game, and this was the best tournament, we've ever played.

(Portugal and Germany were badass though)

[russ]

I go with the Mexico 2002 game.I can't pick the Germany game because there were periods where Germany dominated us physically and tactically.

In the Mex game,we broke this team down and turned what had been a cohesive unit in J/K to that point into the old hacking,spitting,whining b****hes we know and love.

We dominated them on and off the scoreboard in a WC elimination.Gotta be good to do that ,real good.

[SABuffalo786]

Gotta be Portugal. Prohibative underdogs, the US played lights out.



Certainly the best first half hour in US history. After Portugal's opening possesion, we were absolutley buzzing.

[Greywacke]

I've always enjoyed reliving the 1-0 victory over Brasil in the '98 Gold Cup.

In terms of crowd atmosphere, I've heard the '97 Hex victory over Costa Rica, 1-0, in Portland was quite a scene. Plus Ramos' goal and the build up to it were pretty.