Since returning to the World Cup after a four-decade absence in 1990, the USA had a 1-8-1 record, including a 0-6-1 mark against European sides. The Americans also entered the match with a five-game World Cup losing streak since its 2-1 upset of Colombia at USA ‘94.
The Portuguese boasted respected internationals such as the great Luis Figo, the 1991 FIFA World Player of the Yea,r and goalkeeper Vitor Baia, among others.
But this was going to be a different World Cup. In the tournament opener on May 31, upstart Senegal upset defending champions France, 1-0, giving all underdogs some hope.
Now, it was the USA's chance to turn some heads.
"Bruce mentioned they did come off long European seasons, maybe 60-65 games with top clubs and [in the UEFA] Champions League," Reyna said. "They weren't fully up to speed. We were flying. We were really fit. We had a great training camp in North Carolina. We were sort of foaming at the mouth. They weren't up to speed, and we were able to punish them."
The Americans surprised the Portuguese by deploying a high press.
"We played in a way that caught Portugal off guard," Pope said, "picking up the ball and attacking so quickly. It was a little bit of a perfect storm. We were really good, and they didn't have their best day. And before you know it, the ball was in the back of the net. ... When it rains, it pours."
By the 36th minute, the U.S. had stormed to a stunning 3-0 advantage. It was only the third time in World Cup history that the Americans had scored that many goals in a match. The first two occasions were at the first competition in Uruguay in 1930.
"They were shellshocked," Stewart said.
"It was certainly a sucker punch that no one expected," Reyna said. "Bruce's gameplan was to go out in the first 30 minutes and put them under pressure, press them, make it uncomfortable for them. I imagine they expected a team that would drop off and sit back and hold on for a tie. That was the complete opposite mentality that we had, and it paid off."
It paid off only four minutes after kickoff. Stewart sent a corner kick to McBride, who headed the ball on target off Baia's left hand. Standing only yards away from the net on the right side, John O'Brien cleaned up and slotted the ball home with his left foot.
"You want someone super technical on the ball," Pope said of O'Brien. "It was a nice goal."
