1. 2002 World Cup South Korea Vs Spain
2. 2002 World Cup South Korea Vs Germany
3. 2002 World Cup South Korea
4. 2002 World Cup South Korea Team

By – NEW YORK, NY (Oct 14, 2013) US Soccer Players – The 2002 World Cup finals in South Korea and Japan will go down as the tournament with the most shock results. Although Brazil won the World Cup against Germany, a game between two traditional titans, the third-place match featured co-hosts South Korea and Turkey, two surprise teams. Then there was the United States. The USMNT reached the quarterfinals - losing to Germany in a tight, controversial (more on that later) game - and had its best World Cup since finishing third in 1930. For the USMNT, this was the first time the team showed any real depth. MLS was barely seven years old, but it had already helped get American players exposure to the rigors of a competitive league. Coach Bruce Arena had several options at his disposal.

2002 World Cup South Korea Vs Spain

2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan ™. Cup Korea/Japan Michael Ballack of Germany scores the winning goal past goalkeeper Woon Jae Lee of South Korea.

2002 World Cup South Korea Vs Germany

2002 World Cup South Korea

Aside from the core veterans - the team he brought to the finals averaged 29 years in age - he had many youngsters from the 1999 Under-17 World Cup squad. Joining Clint Mathis and Claudio Reyna was Landon Donovan and DaMarcus Beasley - the last two still active members of the US team - and Brad Friedel in goal. Although no one knew it at the time, this team was about to make history. The USA entered the tournament having won just four World Cup finals games in 72 years. No one thought they could defeat their group D opponents Portugal in the opener, and co-hosts South Korea and Poland made advancing a tough assignment.

2002 World Cup South Korea Team

Due to the time difference, the USA played Portugal on ESPN2 at 4:55am Eastern Time on June 5th. Those who got up early that morning were in for a treat. Portugal, a team loaded with stars like Fernando Couto and Luis Figo, were favorites to beat the USA and win the group. Instead, it was the USA who won the game, 3-2, on a humid afternoon in Suwon thanks to goals from John O'Brien, an own goal by Jorge Costa, and a wonderful header from Brian McBride. “We came into this game believing we could win this game, and our guys played a great 30 to 40 minutes in the first half that really won the game for us,' Arena told reporters after the game.

McBride provided what would be the eventual game-winner, sneaking in between two Portuguese defenders to slam home a diving header off a perfect cross from his former Milwaukee Rampage teammate Tony Sanneh on the right side. “The important thing was to come out quick,” said McBride, adding, “We needed to make sure and put them on their heels and that’s what we did.' The team played well despite some mixed results in the first round. On June 10, the USA tied co-hosts South Korea 1-1. Four days later, the USA lost to Poland 3-1. The Americans, with a 1-1-1 record, finished second in Group D (behind South Korea) and clinched a spot in the Round of 16, where they faced CONCACAF rivals Mexico.