Eric Wynalda – Then
Before we were introduced to the wonders of Clint Dempsey, Landon Donovan and Brian McBride, Eric Wynalda was leading the goal scoring pack. Wynalda appeared on the pitch in the first 3 games and made his presence known with an impressive goal against Switzerland. 24 years have passed since the World Cup in USA, so where is he now?
Eric Wynalda – Then
Eric Wynalda – Now
Off the pitch and into the manager’s box, it was for Wynalda. He took point for teams like Cal FC, Atlanta Silverbacks, and L.A. Wolves. Wynalda also successfully worked as an analyst for ESPN and also did work as a columnist for Major League Soccer Magazine. He and Amanda Fletcher got married in 2014, and now the couple have 3 kids of their own, as well as 3 from Eric’s first marriage.
Eric Wynalda – Now
Tab Ramos – Then
Despite being in the opening line-up for every one of USA’s games at the World Cup in 1994, the round of 16 showed him tragedy. The defensive midfielder fractured his skull when he made contact with Brazil’s Leonardo – who was sent off with a red card. Brazil beat USA 1-0, knocking the Americans out of the competition.
Tab Ramos – Then
Tab Ramos – Now
In 2005, Ramos was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame. Ramos has held the position of head coach for the United States under-20 side since 2011. He successfully brought them to the final of the U-20 CONCACAF Championship in 2013. It took four more years, for them to win against Honduras. He currently resides in New Jersey with his girlfriend and kids.
Tab Ramos – Now
Tony Meola – Then
We’re familiar with all the big names when it comes to goalkeeping, but for some reason we keep forgetting this one. Tony Meola proudly placed himself between the posts in 1990, 1994 and 2002. When the 1994 World Cup came around, Meola wore the captain’s band and wore it with pride until their untimely departure in the round of 16.
Tony Meola – Then
Tony Meola – Now
Unfortunately for Meola, managing didn’t seem to be his forte. His quick stint of managing Jacksonville Armada FC in the 2015-16 season was met with little success. Having said that, we can vouch for his success in other areas, like owning his own mortgage company, and even starring in some acting gigs. He also took to American football for a period before becoming a radio host for SiriusXM FC.
Tony Meola – Now
Earnie Stewart – Then
On the other end of the goal scoring for USA was striker Earnie Stewart. He made the opening squad for every game in 94′ and his goal against Colombia made sure that team USA took the victory at 2-1. His goal would soon only be remembered as the own goal that cost Andres Escobar his life since he was shot dead after returning to Colombia.
Earnie Stewart – Then
Earnie Stewart – Now
When the 1994 World Cup was over, Stewart moved to the Dutch Eredivisie and represented VV, Willem II, and NAC. But even after paying in Holland, he didn’t want to leave Dutch football behind. the proof of this was when he became the technical director for NAC Breda and AZ Alkmaar. Since then he returned to the U.S. to work for Philadelphia Union.
Earnie Stewart – Now
Marcelo Balboa – Then
When it comes to longevity in soccer, Marcelo Balboa is the man to look up to. He made sure that USA’s defensive line was as tight as a tourniquet. Balboa played every minute of every game. This remained true even when the Brazilians managed to sneak one past his defenders. He was a player who set stability in the American’s defense.
Marcelo Balboa – Then
Marcelo Balboa – Now
ESPN and ABC got lucky when Marcelo Balboa took up a commentating position for them. In his repertoire include MLS and the World Cup. The former was also the arena where Balboa played – the likes of the Colorado Rapids and MetroStars. He took a major step out of the limelight to become a soccer coach at Monarch High School in Colorado.
Marcelo Balboa – Now
Paul Caligiuri – Then
Here’s another star who played every minute of the World Cup in 1994 – Paul Caligiuri. Can we forget that Caligiuri was one of the main reasons the Americans managed to qualify for the first time in 36 years for the FIFA World Cup 1990. It was the “shot heard around the world,” as everyone remembered it.
Paul Caligiuri – Then
Paul Caligiuri – Now
Caligiuri’s resilience and mastery ensured that he had opportunities after the World Cup. Most of his time was spent in MLS, playing for Columbus Crew and LA Galaxy. Following his retirement, he went on to coach both boys and girls at Cal Poly. Talk about giving back.
Paul Caligiuri – Now
Brad Friedel – Then
Poor Brad Friedel – he didn’t get a chance to strut his stuff on the field in 1994. But even though 1994 wasn’t his platform to show the world what he was made of, he would soon become recognized and loved. Later he would become USA’s number one!
Brad Friedel – Then
Brad Friedel – Now
Believe it or not, Friedel is creeping towards 50, but he has played until he couldn’t anymore. Affectionately titled, “The Human Wall”, he served his time after USA 94′ with Blackburn Rovers and Aston Villa, before eventually making it to Tottenham Hotspur and retiring in 2015.
Brad Friedel – Now
Mike Sorber – Then
Since the USA team of 94′ had so many famous names, Mike Sorber’s seemed to fall into the background. But despite this fact, we shouldn’t forget that he was a key player in their team. He played in every one of their four games in 1994.
Mike Sorber – Then
Mike Sorber – Now
Even though Sorber is still not as famous as the others, he’s surrounded himself in the soccer arena. The former midfielder used his skills to coach college teams, as well as international teams too.
Mike Sorber – Now
Claudio Reyna – Then
Coming from Argentina, we couldn’t have expected anything less from Claudio Reyna. Before he even made the 1994 squad, he was playing for the Virginia Cavaliers from 1991 to 1993. Sadly this star suffered an injury that prevented him from taking part in the World Cup of 1994.
Claudio Reyna – Then
Claudio Reyna – Now
Even though Reyna didn’t make a minute of play on the pitch in 1994, he made bigger impressions. He successfully played for Manchester City – one of the greatest feats for any American player. In 2012 he was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame.
Claudio Reyna – Now
Roy Wegerle – Then
Every team needs a “super-sub”, even USA. Most fans didn’t believe that the 94′ squad had one, but then there was Roy Wegerle. Even though he suffered a knee injury months before the competition, he still played every one of the team’s four games. That was a pretty lucky sub who recovered from his injury.
Roy Wegerle – Then
Roy Wegerle – Now
His substitute status was replaced after the World Cup when he went to play for the Colorado Rapids, DC United, and Tampa Bay Mutiny. Most will remember his short stint as the manager of the Colorado Rapids. From playing soccer, Wegerle has taken a keen interest in golf.
Roy Wegerle – Now
Fernando Clavijo – Then
Clavijo was a champion soccer player, as well as a star coach during his time with St. Louis Storm. Out of the 4 games USA played in the 1994 World Cup, he played in three of them. When he eventually called it quits, he was greeted with a standing ovation.
Fernando Clavijo – Then
Fernando Clavijo – Now
For 15 years following his retirement, Clavijo coached a number of sides and with some pretty impressive success. Some of those squads were: The Seattle SeaDogs, New England Revolution, the Haiti national team, and Colorado Rapids. But it wasn’t only traditional soccer that he took part in, he was also a keen indoor soccer and futsal star. He is one of few players to have achieved induction into both the National Soccer Hall of Fame and the Indoor Soccer Hall of Fame.
Fernando Clavijo – Now
Thomas Dooley – Then
The brilliant defensive midfielder, Thomas Moodley was another U.S. player to grace the field for every minute of play in the 1994 World Cup. He owed a great deal to his experience playing for FC Hornburg and 1. FC Kaiserslautern in Germany. In 1993 he received the title of “U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year”.
Thomas Dooley – Then
Thomas Dooley – Now
The World Cup of 1994 boosted Dooley’s profile and he became sought after. Bayer Leverkusen and Schalke 04 had the honor of his skills until he moved to Columbus Crew. When playing came to an end, he went on to coach 1. FC Saarbrucken. Later he became the head coach of the Philippines national team for 4 years.
Thomas Dooley – Now
Hugo Perez – Then
Perez had already represented his country in 3 different tournaments when the 1994 World Cup came around. Despite all of his previous appearances, he only played one game for USA in 1994 and it was against Brazil. We all know how that ended, and granted he won’t forget either.
Hugo Perez – Then
Hugo Perez – Now
The rest of Hugo Perez’s soccer days were mainly spent at FAS, AKA Club Deportivo Futbolistas Asociados Santanecos, in El Salvador. Aside from having his name entered into the National Soccer Hall of Fame, he worked as an assistant for the University of San Francisco, and also for the national team of El Salvador.
Hugo Perez – Now
Mike Burns – Then
Luckily for Mike Burns, he actually did get to play in the 1998 Soccer World Cup. In 1994 he wasn’t so fortunate, as he just watched from the sidelines. But let us not forget how Burns managed to guarantee his place on the 94′ squad. He represented USA’s U-16 and U-20 national teams at the 1987 U16 FIFA World Cup and 1989 U-20 World Cup respectively.
Mike Burns – Then
Mike Burns – Now
Most of Burns’ career was spent in the MLS with teams like, New England Revolution, San Jose Earthquakes, and Kansas City Wizards. Currently he works as the New England Revolution’s director before moving forward as the general manager.
Mike Burns – Now
Juergen Sommer – Then
Yeah, we know. He’s got quite a German name, but he was nothing less than a full American patriot when the World Cup started. Unfortunately for him he wouldn’t get to play during the tournament, especially since there were other talented goalkeepers on his side.
Juergen Sommer – Then
Juergen Sommer – Now
English football seemed to squeeze the most out of this goalie, mainly teams like Luton Town, Bright & Hove Albion, and Torquay. He spent three seasons with Queen Park Rangers after the World Cup.
Juergen Sommer – Now
