After Years Of Being Outperformed

AFTER YEARS OF BEING OUTPERFORMED by European and South American powers, the United States had few followers who expected a strong showing from the soccer team at the 2002 World Cup. But as die-hard U.S. fans awakened one morning, the young, brash Americans delivered a surprise.

Since South Korea hosted the 2002 World Cup, the Americans’ first round against Portugal—one of the pretournament favorites—kicked off at 5 a.m. eastern time. By the dawn’s early light in the United States, the national team opened the scoring in the game’s fourth minute following a corner kick by Earnie Stewart. Brian McBride attempted a header into the net that bounced off goalie Vitor Baia’s hand. However, John O’Brien knocked the rebound into the back of the net, and the United States took a 1–0 lead.

The Americans extended their margin to 3–0 in the first half. Landon Donovan collected the second goal when his shot from an extreme angle deflected off Jorge Costa’s head and sailed past Baia. McBride made the third American goal in the 36th minute with a diving header off a cross from Tony Sanneh.

In the second half, the Portuguese rallied and pulled within one on a United States error. American defender Jeff Agoos, making his World Cup debut at age 34, attempted to clear a cross by Pauleta with his left leg. But instead, he accidentally kicked the ball past his own goalkeeper, Brad Friedel, in minute 71.

Switching to a defensive posture, the Americans kept all but one or two players in their end of the field. Portugal failed to penetrate the tight United States net, and the American nationals won their first World Cup contest since defeating Columbia 2–1 in 1994.

EXTRA < < < < < < < < < < < < < <

POINT Soccer faithfuls in the eastern United States set their alarms for 4 or 5 a.m. that day. Avid fans on the West Coast stayed up until two or three in the morning to cheer on their team. And what a totally unexpected victory among the nations!

People rarely set their alarm early by choice. Work, school, or special trips can require that the buzzer go off in the predawn hours. However, some Christians believe it’s a good idea to awaken early and start each morning with a quiet time. They begin every day praying to the heavenly Father.

GOAL! Set your alarm an extra half hour early. Spend the extra time praying, reading the Bible, and praising God. It could make a big difference in your day.