1999 Nike U.S. Cup
Encyclopedia
The 1999 Nike U.S. Cup was a four nation invitational tournament sponsored by Nike, Inc.
and organized by the United States Soccer Federation
(USSF) in March 1999. The four teams included the host United States
, Mexico
, Bolivia
and Guatemala
. This year, Guatemala was making its first and only appearance in the cup, Bolivia was playing in its second cup and Mexico was appearing for the third time, having won the last two editions, in 1996 and 1997. Mexico would win again this year, for its third consecutive title. While in previous years, the U.S. cup featured four teams in a round robin tournament, with the team having the best record claiming the title, this year USSF elected to use a two-game double header format. The winners of the first two games met for the title in the first game of the second doubleheader while the losers in the first two games played each other in the second doubleheader's later game.
defeated Guatemala
3-1. Coming into the match, seven of the U.S. starters had five or less caps. This showed in the early going as Guatemala controlled the run of play. However, the U.S. slowly regained its composure and using its strength in the air, began to send high balls into the Guatemala area. Ante Razov
, Ben Olsen
and Brian McBride
all had headers saved by Guatemala keeper Edgar Estrada
in the first half. The first goal of the game came in the 22d minute when Ben Olsen sent a cross into the area from the right. Brian McBride headed the ball towards the front of the goal where Joe-Max Moore
quickly blasted into the top of the goal. In the 37th minute, McBride headed in a cross from Razov to give the U.S. a comfortable 2-0 lead going into halftime. However, the Guatemalans came out looking to score and finally found the net after Eddie Lewis took down Guillermo Ortega in the penalty area. Jorge Perez took the penalty kick and put it past U.S. keeper Zach Thornton
. As the score remained 2-1, Guatemalan frustrations boiled over and Erick Miranda
hacked at Joe-Max Moore in the box approaching the 90th minute. Moore turned around and retaliated only to find both himself and Miranda ejected. Both would miss the second game of the cup. As the victor, the U.S. would go on to the title game against the winner of the second game of the day.
United States: Zach Thornton, Jeff Agoos, Carlos Llamosa, C.J. Brown, Eddie Lewis, Richie Williams, Joe-Max Moore, Ben Olsen (Frankie Hejduk 63’), Jovan Kirovski, Ante Razov (Chris Armas 60’), Brian McBride
Guatemala: Edgar Estrada, Julio Giron, German Ruano, Ivan Leon (Catolino Molina 51’) Edgar Valencia, Martin Machon, Jorge Perez, Guillermo Ortega, Erick Miranda, Claudio Rojas, Carlos Ruiz (Julio Rodas 46’)
----
In the second game of the doubleheader, Bolivia went up early when Fernando Ochoaizpur scored in the 6th minute. Bolivia held to that lead until Joel Sanchez scored twice within six minutes to give Mexico the victory and a place in the title match.
Mexico: Adolfo Rios, Joel Sanchez, Claudio Suarez, Pavel Pardo, (Raul Lara 67’), Salvador Carmona (Rafael Garcia 79’), Miguel Zepeda, Salvador Cabrera (Alberto Garcia Aspe 46’), Paulo Chavez (Ramon Ramirez 46’), Cuauhtemoc Blanco, Luis Hernandez (4-German Villa 88’), Jose Manuel Abundis
Bolivia: Marco Barrero, Fernando Ochoaizpur, Marco Sandy, Ivan Castillo, Oscar Sanchez, Juan Manuel Pena, Sergio Castillo, Marco Etcheverry, Luis Cristaldo, Jaime Moreno (Juan Berthy 78’), Militon Coimbra
. In the first game, the U.S. and Mexico met for the title. The game turned against the U.S. in the 17th minute. Jose Manuel Abundis carried the ball down the left side of the field before sending a cross in towards Francisco Palencia
. U.S. defender Robin Fraser
closed on Palencia, but Fraser slipped and the cross ran off his body into the net for an own goal. In the melee in front of the goal, Palencia struck U.S. starting goalkeeper Tony Meola
in the face, putting him out of the game. While Meola and U.S. coach Bruce Arena
later argued that Palencia had delibertly struck Meola in the face, no foul was called and the goal counted. The goal held until the 51st minute when Frankie Hejduk scored his second goal of the tournament with a first time shot off a Fraser cross. However, Mexico struck back six minutes later when Joel Sanchez shot from 12 yards out. Backup U.S. keeper Zach Thornton
blocked the shot, but the rebound went to Abundis who scored from two yards out. The U.S. pressed for an equalizer, but Mexico’s defense held and Mexico took the game and the 1999 Nike U.S. Cup title.
United States: Tony Meola (Zach Thornton 17’), Jeff Agoos, Robin Fraser, Eddie Pope (Ben Olsen 68’), 3-David Regis, Eddie Lewis (Clint Mathis 83’), Chris Armas, Jovan Kirovski, Frankie Hejduk, Cobi Jones, Brian McBride
Mexico: Oscar Perez, Joel Sanchez, Pavel Pardo, Salvador Carmona (Miguel Zepeda 46’), Joaquin Beltran, Rual Lara, Alberto Garcia Aspe, Rafael Garcia (Ramon Ramirez 60’), Cuauhtemoc Blanco (Luis Hernandez 46’), Francisco Palencia, (Paulo Chavez 57’), Jose Manuel Abundis (Ricardo Pelaez 77)
----
In the second game of the doubleheader, Guatemala defeated Bolivia 2-1 to take third place. Guatemala scored twice in the first half on goals by Jorge Perez in the 18th minute and Edgar Valencia
in the 26th minute. Juan Carlos Farah of Bolivia scored in the 49th minute but his team was unable to produce another goal and Guatemala took third place based on goal differential.
Guatemala: Julio Englenton, Jose Molina (Catalino Molina 46’), Nelson Caceras, Jorge Perez, Julio Rafael, Claudio Rojas (Carlos Ruiz 78’), Guillermo Ortega, German Ruano, Edgar Valencia (Erik Miranda 67), Julio Rodas, Martin Machon
Bolivia: Marco Barrero, Marco Sandy (Juan Carlos Farrah 46’), Luis Cristaldo, Sergio Castillo (Mauricio Ramos 46’), Marco Etcheverry, Milton Coimbra, Luis Liendo
(Rolando Rea 86’), Juan Manuel Pena, Eduardo Jiguchi (Ricardo Rojas 46’), Juan Berthy Suarez, Ivan Castillo (Richard Virona 46’)
Jorge Pêrez
One Goal Brian McBride
Joe-Max Moore
Juan Carlos Farah Fernando Ochoaizpur
Edgar Valencia
Jose Manuel Abundis
Nike, Inc.
Nike, Inc. is a major publicly traded sportswear and equipment supplier based in the United States. The company is headquartered near Beaverton, Oregon, which is part of the Portland metropolitan area...
and organized by the United States Soccer Federation
United States Soccer Federation
The United States Soccer Federation is the official governing body of the sport of soccer in the United States. Its headquarters are located in Chicago, Illinois. It is a member of FIFA and is responsible for governing amateur and professional soccer, including the men's, women's, youth, futsal...
(USSF) in March 1999. The four teams included the host United States
United States men's national soccer team
The United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
, Mexico
Mexico national football team
The Mexican national football team represents Mexico in association football and is governed by the Mexican Football Federation , the governing body for football in Mexico. Mexico's home stadium is the Estadio Azteca and their head coach is José Manuel de la Torre...
, Bolivia
Bolivia national football team
The Bolivia national football team is the national team of Bolivia and is controlled by the Federación Boliviana de Fútbol. After playing in the 1930 and 1950 World Cups, they qualified just once—in 1994...
and Guatemala
Guatemala national football team
The Guatemala national football team is the association football team representing the country of Guatemala and is controlled by the Federación Nacional de Fútbol de Guatemala. Founded in 1919, it affiliated to FIFA in 1946, and it is a member of CONCACAF....
. This year, Guatemala was making its first and only appearance in the cup, Bolivia was playing in its second cup and Mexico was appearing for the third time, having won the last two editions, in 1996 and 1997. Mexico would win again this year, for its third consecutive title. While in previous years, the U.S. cup featured four teams in a round robin tournament, with the team having the best record claiming the title, this year USSF elected to use a two-game double header format. The winners of the first two games met for the title in the first game of the second doubleheader while the losers in the first two games played each other in the second doubleheader's later game.
March 11: First Doubleheader
In the first game of the 1999 Nike U.S. Cup, the U.S.United States men's national soccer team
The United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
defeated Guatemala
Guatemala national football team
The Guatemala national football team is the association football team representing the country of Guatemala and is controlled by the Federación Nacional de Fútbol de Guatemala. Founded in 1919, it affiliated to FIFA in 1946, and it is a member of CONCACAF....
3-1. Coming into the match, seven of the U.S. starters had five or less caps. This showed in the early going as Guatemala controlled the run of play. However, the U.S. slowly regained its composure and using its strength in the air, began to send high balls into the Guatemala area. Ante Razov
Ante Razov
Ante Razov is a retired American soccer player of Croatian descent who last played for Chivas USA in Major League Soccer.-Club:...
, Ben Olsen
Ben Olsen
Benjamin Robert "Ben" Olsen is a former American professional soccer player and the current manager of D.C. United. Born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Olsen grew up playing for FC Delco, an elite club program near Philadelphia...
and Brian McBride
Brian McBride
Brian Robert McBride is a retired American soccer player who finished his career for Chicago Fire in Major League Soccer , but spent the majority of his time in MLS playing for the Columbus Crew. For much of his career he played in Europe, notably for Fulham in the English Premier League...
all had headers saved by Guatemala keeper Edgar Estrada
Edgar Estrada
Edgar Eladio Estrada Solís , popularly known as El Gato is a Guatemalan footballer who has played goalkeeper for several clubs in Guatemala's top division. He was capped 80 times for the Guatemala national football team....
in the first half. The first goal of the game came in the 22d minute when Ben Olsen sent a cross into the area from the right. Brian McBride headed the ball towards the front of the goal where Joe-Max Moore
Joe-Max Moore
Joe-Max Moore is a former American soccer forward who played for the United States national team in three World Cups. He played professionally for clubs in Germany, England and the United States. He finished his career with the New England Revolution of Major League Soccer...
quickly blasted into the top of the goal. In the 37th minute, McBride headed in a cross from Razov to give the U.S. a comfortable 2-0 lead going into halftime. However, the Guatemalans came out looking to score and finally found the net after Eddie Lewis took down Guillermo Ortega in the penalty area. Jorge Perez took the penalty kick and put it past U.S. keeper Zach Thornton
Zach Thornton
Zach Thornton is an American soccer player who currently plays for Chivas USA in Major League Soccer.-Youth and college:...
. As the score remained 2-1, Guatemalan frustrations boiled over and Erick Miranda
Erick Miranda
Erick Roberto Miranda Chonay is a retired Guatemalan football defender who has played most of his career for CSD Comunicaciones of the Guatemalan premier division....
hacked at Joe-Max Moore in the box approaching the 90th minute. Moore turned around and retaliated only to find both himself and Miranda ejected. Both would miss the second game of the cup. As the victor, the U.S. would go on to the title game against the winner of the second game of the day.
United States: Zach Thornton, Jeff Agoos, Carlos Llamosa, C.J. Brown, Eddie Lewis, Richie Williams, Joe-Max Moore, Ben Olsen (Frankie Hejduk 63’), Jovan Kirovski, Ante Razov (Chris Armas 60’), Brian McBride
Guatemala: Edgar Estrada, Julio Giron, German Ruano, Ivan Leon (Catolino Molina 51’) Edgar Valencia, Martin Machon, Jorge Perez, Guillermo Ortega, Erick Miranda, Claudio Rojas, Carlos Ruiz (Julio Rodas 46’)
----
In the second game of the doubleheader, Bolivia went up early when Fernando Ochoaizpur scored in the 6th minute. Bolivia held to that lead until Joel Sanchez scored twice within six minutes to give Mexico the victory and a place in the title match.
Mexico: Adolfo Rios, Joel Sanchez, Claudio Suarez, Pavel Pardo, (Raul Lara 67’), Salvador Carmona (Rafael Garcia 79’), Miguel Zepeda, Salvador Cabrera (Alberto Garcia Aspe 46’), Paulo Chavez (Ramon Ramirez 46’), Cuauhtemoc Blanco, Luis Hernandez (4-German Villa 88’), Jose Manuel Abundis
Bolivia: Marco Barrero, Fernando Ochoaizpur, Marco Sandy, Ivan Castillo, Oscar Sanchez, Juan Manuel Pena, Sergio Castillo, Marco Etcheverry, Luis Cristaldo, Jaime Moreno (Juan Berthy 78’), Militon Coimbra
March 13, 1999: Second Doubleheader
The second doubleheader in the 1999 Nike U.S. Cup took place on a clear, 70 F day in San Diego, CaliforniaSan Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
. In the first game, the U.S. and Mexico met for the title. The game turned against the U.S. in the 17th minute. Jose Manuel Abundis carried the ball down the left side of the field before sending a cross in towards Francisco Palencia
Francisco Palencia
Juan Francisco Palencia Hernández is a former Mexican football striker, his last team was Pumas UNAM.- Biography :...
. U.S. defender Robin Fraser
Robin Fraser
Robin Fraser is a retired Jamaican-born American soccer player. He is currently head coach of Chivas USA in Major League Soccer....
closed on Palencia, but Fraser slipped and the cross ran off his body into the net for an own goal. In the melee in front of the goal, Palencia struck U.S. starting goalkeeper Tony Meola
Tony Meola
Antonio Michael "Tony" Meola is an American former soccer goalkeeper who played for the United States national team at the 1990 and 1994 World Cups, and from 1996 to 2006 played in Major League Soccer, the U.S. top soccer division, where he obtained multiple honors...
in the face, putting him out of the game. While Meola and U.S. coach Bruce Arena
Bruce Arena
Bruce Arena is a former coach of the United States men's national soccer team as well as a former professional soccer and lacrosse player...
later argued that Palencia had delibertly struck Meola in the face, no foul was called and the goal counted. The goal held until the 51st minute when Frankie Hejduk scored his second goal of the tournament with a first time shot off a Fraser cross. However, Mexico struck back six minutes later when Joel Sanchez shot from 12 yards out. Backup U.S. keeper Zach Thornton
Zach Thornton
Zach Thornton is an American soccer player who currently plays for Chivas USA in Major League Soccer.-Youth and college:...
blocked the shot, but the rebound went to Abundis who scored from two yards out. The U.S. pressed for an equalizer, but Mexico’s defense held and Mexico took the game and the 1999 Nike U.S. Cup title.
United States: Tony Meola (Zach Thornton 17’), Jeff Agoos, Robin Fraser, Eddie Pope (Ben Olsen 68’), 3-David Regis, Eddie Lewis (Clint Mathis 83’), Chris Armas, Jovan Kirovski, Frankie Hejduk, Cobi Jones, Brian McBride
Mexico: Oscar Perez, Joel Sanchez, Pavel Pardo, Salvador Carmona (Miguel Zepeda 46’), Joaquin Beltran, Rual Lara, Alberto Garcia Aspe, Rafael Garcia (Ramon Ramirez 60’), Cuauhtemoc Blanco (Luis Hernandez 46’), Francisco Palencia, (Paulo Chavez 57’), Jose Manuel Abundis (Ricardo Pelaez 77)
----
In the second game of the doubleheader, Guatemala defeated Bolivia 2-1 to take third place. Guatemala scored twice in the first half on goals by Jorge Perez in the 18th minute and Edgar Valencia
Edgar Valencia
Edgar Everaldo Valencia Bobadilla is a retired Guatemalan football midfielder who spent his career playing for several clubs in Guatemala's top division and was also a member of the Guatemala national team.-Club career:...
in the 26th minute. Juan Carlos Farah of Bolivia scored in the 49th minute but his team was unable to produce another goal and Guatemala took third place based on goal differential.
Guatemala: Julio Englenton, Jose Molina (Catalino Molina 46’), Nelson Caceras, Jorge Perez, Julio Rafael, Claudio Rojas (Carlos Ruiz 78’), Guillermo Ortega, German Ruano, Edgar Valencia (Erik Miranda 67), Julio Rodas, Martin Machon
Bolivia: Marco Barrero, Marco Sandy (Juan Carlos Farrah 46’), Luis Cristaldo, Sergio Castillo (Mauricio Ramos 46’), Marco Etcheverry, Milton Coimbra, Luis Liendo
Luis Liendo
Luis Antonio Liendo Asbún is a Chilean-Bolivian football midfielder, who has played in different leagues throughout South America, Europe and North America...
(Rolando Rea 86’), Juan Manuel Pena, Eduardo Jiguchi (Ricardo Rojas 46’), Juan Berthy Suarez, Ivan Castillo (Richard Virona 46’)
Champion
1999 Nike U.S. Cup Winner: Mexico Mexico national football team The Mexican national football team represents Mexico in association football and is governed by the Mexican Football Federation , the governing body for football in Mexico. Mexico's home stadium is the Estadio Azteca and their head coach is José Manuel de la Torre... Third title |
Scorers
Two Goals Joel Sánchez Frankie HejdukFrankie Hejduk
Frank Daniel "Frankie" Hejduk is an American soccer player who currently plays for Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer. He formerly played as right back for Columbus Crew, where he was team captain, and the United States national team.-Youth and College:Hejduk attended San Dieguito High...
Jorge Pêrez
One Goal Brian McBride
Brian McBride
Brian Robert McBride is a retired American soccer player who finished his career for Chicago Fire in Major League Soccer , but spent the majority of his time in MLS playing for the Columbus Crew. For much of his career he played in Europe, notably for Fulham in the English Premier League...
Joe-Max Moore
Joe-Max Moore
Joe-Max Moore is a former American soccer forward who played for the United States national team in three World Cups. He played professionally for clubs in Germany, England and the United States. He finished his career with the New England Revolution of Major League Soccer...
Juan Carlos Farah Fernando Ochoaizpur
Fernando Ochoaizpur
Fernando Néstor Ochoaizpur is a retired Bolivian footballer, who played as a defender during his career. He was born in Argentina, and was a regular choice for the Bolivia national football team from 1996 to 1999. Ochoaizpur played in several countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Peru, Mexico, and...
Edgar Valencia
Edgar Valencia
Edgar Everaldo Valencia Bobadilla is a retired Guatemalan football midfielder who spent his career playing for several clubs in Guatemala's top division and was also a member of the Guatemala national team.-Club career:...
Jose Manuel Abundis
Final Rankings
| Team | Pts | GP | W | T | L | GF | GA | Dif | Perc | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 100% | ||
| 2 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 50.0% | ||
| 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | |||
| 50.0% | ||||||||||
| 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | |||
| 00,0% | ||||||||||