The U.S. men’s national soccer team had an opportunity to reach the finals of the 2002 FIFA World Cup, a game they could have won, yet were thwarted by a missed handball call during their quarterfinal match against Germany.
2002 FIFA Men’s World Cup: A Stolen Opportunity?
The American team had faced a challenging decade leading up to 2002, struggling to progress past the group stages in previous tournaments. However, they made a comeback in ‘02, finishing second in their group, defeating notable rivals like Portugal with a score of 3-2.
In the Round of 16, the U.S. faced Mexico for their first World Cup encounter and triumphed 2-0 with goals from Brian McBride and Landon Donovan. Their journey continued to the quarterfinal against Germany, where an early goal by Michael Ballack put the Americans on the back foot.
Things took a turn in the 50th minute when a potential handball by German player Torsten Frings went unnoticed by the referee. Had this foul been called, the U.S. would have received a penalty kick and Germany would have been down a player.
That night unfolding before our very eyes begs the question: What if the call had been made?
Could the U.S. have celebrated their first World Cup victory? How would this have shifted the perception and growth of soccer in the country?
With American soccer desperately seeking recognition, a win could have sparked a wave of interest akin to that seen after the women’s team victories in the World Cup, inspiring generations to follow suit.
What If… the U.S. Succeeded?
If the handball was called correctly, crucial moments in American sports history could change dramatically.
- Would players such as Landon Donovan, Claudio Reyna, and Brian McBride become even bigger icons?
- Would soccer steal focus from basketball or football for young American players?
- What opportunities would arise for Bruce Arena to coach at elite levels in Europe?
- How would this reshape the landscape for Major League Soccer (MLS) and youth academies?
The 2002 U.S. men’s soccer squad had the talent to potentially win against Brazil in the final after overcoming South Korea in the semifinals.
Ultimately, we’ll never know how much larger soccer could have grown in the United States had they taken down Germany that fateful day.
