What if USMNT Had Been Awarded a Handball in the 2002 World Cup Quarterfinal?

Over the course of sporting history, many pivotal moments make us ponder how different the outcome could be if one decision was altered. The series “What If” inspects various scenarios where athletes’ and teams’ paths might have changed due to significant moments that went in another direction. While we can’t truly forecast these outcomes, the discussions are nonetheless intriguing.

Previously:

What if the USMNT had been given the handball call against Germany in the critical quarterfinal of the 2002 World Cup?

The 2002 World Cup marked the first instance of multiple hosts and the tournament’s debut in Asia, being hosted in Japan and South Korea. After being ousted in the Round of 16 in 1994 and failing to advance beyond the group stage in 1998, the USMNT aimed high in 2002. They succeeded in finishing second in their group, notably defeating Portugal 3-2 and drawing against group leaders South Korea. They moved on to the Round of 16 against Mexico for the first time at a World Cup, securing a 2-0 win with goals from Brian McBride and Landon Donovan.

Next up was the powerhouse Germany in the quarterfinal. Michael Ballack put the Germans ahead early with a goal in the 39th minute, but the Americans responded with a flurry of attacks starting the second half.

However, everything shifted in the 50th minute.

During a USMNT corner taken by Donovan, a German player headed the ball away but instead found an unmarked Gregg Berhalter, who took a close attempt at goal. German goalkeeper Oliver Kahn managed a crucial save, but the ball struck midfielder Torsten Frings’s arm. U.S. players immediately rallied for a handball, and replay showed it clearly.

Unfortunately, referee Hugh Dallas did not make the call. Without VAR, the decision was final. Had a penalty been awarded, the U.S. would have had a chance to equalize with Frings being sent off. The USMNT was demonstrating dominance early on, and it is likely they would have capitalized against a German side that was reduced to ten men. Below, we explore the exciting possibilities that could have arisen from a U.S. victory in that match.

Would USMNT Have Reached the 2002 World Cup Final?

If the handball had been called, the ideal situation could have led to a penalty scored by Claudio Reyna, and Germany would have had to fend off a strengthened American squad with a man down. Legendary players like Donovan, McBride, Reyna, Cobi Jones, Eddie Pope, among others, could have turned the game in favor of the U.S. If they progressed, they would face South Korea in the semifinals, a team they had previously drawn with. A victory there would have pit the USMNT against Brazil in the final, which could have set a new milestone for American soccer in the following two decades, regardless of the match outcome.

Would Men’s Soccer Experience Similar Growth to Women’s Soccer After Their First Final?

Many still recall the remarkable triumphs of the USWNT in 1991 and 1999. Their victories undoubtedly inspired a generation of young girls, resulting in talents like Carli Lloyd, Alex Morgan, and Abby Wambach. This emphasis on women’s soccer helped the U.S. win four out of nine World Cups. What impact would a win against Germany in 2002 have on men’s soccer?

Imagine the influence on aspiring young male players in the early 2000s, who might have chosen soccer over traditional sports like football, baseball, or basketball. According to a National Federation of State High Schools study from 2022, there were 374,773 girls participating in soccer, ranking it third among all sports. In contrast, boys ranked fifth for soccer, trailing behind football, track & field, basketball, and baseball.

Would Bruce Arena Have Been Offered Coaching Roles in Europe?

Bruce Arena remains the most successful coach in USMNT history, with 148 matches coached and 81 victories. He was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2010. How might Arena’s career have shifted had he triumphed over Germany in that 2002 quarterfinal? Arena had already led D.C. United to two MLS titles prior to guiding the national team past the Round of 16 for the first time. Given that two of his successors, Bob Bradley and Gregg Berhalter, went on to coach internationally, it seems plausible that Arena might have pursued opportunities in Europe as well.

If he had taken such an offer, it could have altered the team’s fate at the 2006 World Cup, where the USMNT failed to escape the group stage. Arena’s exit followed the tournament, leading to three more MLS titles with the Galaxy from 2011 to 2014 and a second stint with the national team in 2016, where they again failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, a first since 1986. Speculation abounds on the potential changes had the handball been called in 2002.

Would MLS and Youth Academies See Increased Interest?

It’s astonishing to envision how a win against Germany might alter the future of MLS and youth soccer development in the U.S. Such an unexpected triumph could ignite an unprecedented surge of interest in soccer, compelling substantial investment into the youth system. Increased public and corporate demand may have resulted in significant sponsorship for MLS and reformation of youth academies plagued by the pay-to-play model.

Potentially, this could have allowed for a new talent network to emerge, modeled after European youth systems that emphasize skill development and outreach in underserved communities, leading to a generation of world-class players. Players like Christian Pulisic could have appeared in greater numbers, changing the landscape of U.S. soccer in later World Cups.

How Significant Would Soccer Growth Be in the U.S.?

Perhaps the most critical question from this hypothetical analysis is how much more popular soccer would be in the U.S. had the correct call been made against Germany. It’s easy to assume that Landon Donovan would have solidified his status as a sports icon, attracting many new fans to the sport. While it may be unlikely for soccer to become the predominant discipline, the millions who would have tuned in for a semifinal or final could have profoundly impacted the sport’s trajectory. Historically, 26.7 million viewers watched the USWNT’s victory over Japan in the 2015 World Cup, with over 25 million for the men’s final between France and Argentina in 2022. Imagine if top-tier basketball and football recruits had grown up with soccer as their primary sport! The true impact remains unknown.