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Location: Anaheim, San Diego & Los Angeles, Calif., USA
With Brazil competing in the tournament for the first time via a special invitation, most eyes centered on the defending World Champions. But an impressive performance 2-0 victory by Mexico on a muddy, wet pitch in front of 88,155 rain-soaked fans, handed Mexico their second straight Gold Cup victory. With goals from Luis Garcia and Cuauhtemoc Blanco, the Mexicans were able to stymie the Brazilian attack with help from muddy conditions. Nevertheless, the Brazilians impressed throughout the tournament with a young squad using the experience to prepare for the 1996 Summer Olympic Games.
For the U.S., the tournament wasn’t as disappointing as their third place finish would seem. Only a third consecutive 1-0 defeat at the hands of Brazil kept the U.S. out of the finals after the team easily handled the rest of their opposition, including an impressive 3-0 victory over Guatemala in the third place match. That match featured Eric Wynalda’s tournament-leading fourth goal, which was the 22nd of his international career, setting a new USA goal standard.
The MVP of the tournament, though, was probably former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger. The Nobel Peace Prize winner and lifelong soccer fan helped secure visas for scores of visiting players despite a U.S. government shutdown. |
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| 3rd CONCACAF Gold Cup — United States '96 (Anaheim, Los Angeles & San Diego, Calif.) |
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1-13-96
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Trinidad & Tobago
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3-2 W
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Moore, Wynalda (2)
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Anaheim, Calif.
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12,425
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1-16-96
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El Salvador
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2-0 W
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Balboa, Wynalda
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Anaheim, Calif.
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52,355
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1-18-96
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Brazil (s)
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0-1 L
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Los Angeles, Calif.
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22,038
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1-21-96
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Guatemala (3)
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3-0 W
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Agoos, Kirovski, Wynalda
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Los Angeles, Calif.
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88,000
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(s) Semfinal
(3) Third-place Match |
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Champion: Mexico
Runner-up: Brazil (USA finish: 3rd place) |
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1996 Gold Cup
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