Conference trucks::football;1

    Update from this mornings Boston Globe:
    
    US CUP '95
    
    	June 11		US-Nigeria	  Foxboro	  ABC, 5pm
    	June 17 	Columbia-Nigeria  Piscataway, NJ  ESPN2, noon
    	June 18		US-Mexico	  Washington	  ABC, 3:45pm
    	June 21		Mexico-Columbia   Washington	  ESPN2, 8:30pm
    	June 24		Mexico-Nigeria    Dallas	  ESPN2, noon
        June 25	        US-Columbia	  Piscataway, NJ  ABC, 1:15pm
    
    ESPN will also be broadcasting the US-Uruguay game on March 25th in
    Dallas, and the Women's World Cup in Sweden in June.
    
    The USSF still hopes to play the two games currently scheduled for
    Piscataway at Giants Stadium in the Meadowlands, but the installation
    of grass for the two games would cost about $450,000 and this was
    deemed impractical for the US CUP.  The Piscataway games will be played
    at Rutgers Stadium, a grass field with a capacity of 41,000.
    
    Steve

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: U.S. Soccer, Tom Lange, 312/808-1300
ABC Sports, Andrew Dallos, 212/456-4878
ESPN, Curt Pires, 203/585-2233
Univision, Mal Karwoski, 212/455-5258
Prime, Bob Pollichino, 516/364-2222
Soccer USA Partners, Kevin Payne, 212/841-1580


U.S. SOCCER ANNOUNCES LARGEST TV PACKAGE EVER;
USA v. NIGERIA KICKS OFF U.S. CUP '95 JUNE 11

 NEW YORK (Tuesday, March 14, 1995) -- The largest television package in U.S.
Soccer Federation history will provide unprecedented exposure for U.S.
national soccer teams, it was announced today.
	Included in the package are all six U.S. Cup '95 matches, beginning with
ESPN's coverage of the USA v. Nigeria contest June 11 at Foxboro Stadium
outside of Boston (5 p.m. EDT kickoff) and including ABC Sports' telecast of
two U.S. games:  June 18 against Mexico at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C.,
(3:45 p.m. EDT kickoff) and June 25 versus Colombia at Rutgers Stadium in
Piscataway, N.J. (1:15 p.m. EDT kickoff).
	A total of 84 U.S. Soccer events will be televised by five broadcast
partners over the next four years, including 10 national team games by ABC
Sports.  ESPN intends to broadcast 33 events, including same-day coverage of
the 2nd FIFA Women's World Championship title match June 18.  The U.S.
Women's National Team is the reigning world champion. Games will be broadcast
without commercial interruption, with sponsors instead receiving on-screen
identification. 
	 "The outstanding performances by our U.S. Soccer national teams and the
tremendous response to the 1994 World Cup by sports fans across America were
key factors in the development of this television package," said Alan I.
Rothenberg, U.S. Soccer president.  "The commitment being made by all of our
broadcast partners is evidence that soccer, played at its highest level, is
well on its way to becoming a pre-eminent spectator sport in the United
States."
	 "We are pleased and delighted to once again present coverage of the United
States National Soccer Team as it seeks to qualify for the 1998 World Cup,"
said ABC Sports Senior Vice President David Downs.  "ABC's involvement in the
last World Cup was a rich and rewarding experience for ABC Sports." ESPN2 and
PRIME Network will carry 26 U.S. Soccer events through 1998. ESPN2 will
broadcast up to five U.S. games from the women's world
championship in Sweden. 
	"Coming off the success of the World Cup last year, ESPN is very excited
about continuing its relationship with U.S. Soccer," said ESPN Vice
President, Programming, Steve Risser.  "We look forward to televising the
very best U.S. Soccer has to offer for the next four years as we head towards
the 1998 World Cup."
	 "As part of the Soccer USA Partnership, we are excited about today's
announcement , which will continue to heighten soccer awareness in the United
States," said Prime Sportschannel Networks Sr. Vice President of Programming
and Operations Michael Lardner.  "We at Prime are especially pleased with our
involvement with these matches.  They will enhance our already strong
commitment to soccer both nationally and internationally on our network." 
Univision will televise a minimum of 40 events as U.S. Soccer's official
Spanish-language network.  "U.S. National Team matches are an integral part
of Univision soccer programming," said Univision Vice President of Sports
Tony Oquendo.  "We are excited to be the exclusive Spanish-language
broadcaster of these events, which will take us forward to the next World
Cup."
	ESPN will provide live coverage of the first men's national team game of the
year when the USA takes on Uruguay March 25 at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas.
Kickoff is 5 p.m. EST.   
	"As the exclusive marketing agent for U.S. Soccer since 1990, our company is
proud of the role we've played in helping move soccer and the U.S. national
teams into the forefront of American sport," said Kevin Payne, President and
CEO of Soccer USA Partners.  "We are thrilled to have the television partners
of this caliber to help take our sport to the next level over the next four
years."
	U.S. Cup '95 kicks off Sunday, June 11 when the U.S. National Team hosts
Nigeria at Foxboro Stadium.  Nigeria competed in the World Cup for the first
time in 1994 and finished ninth overall.  Nigeria is 12th in the latest FIFA
world rankings.  The U.S. has played Nigeria only once, suffering a 3-2 loss
June 19, 1988 in a pre-Olympic match. The second U.S. contest of U.S. Cup '95
will be against Mexico Sunday, June 18 at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. 
The U.S. is 3-3-2 against Mexico in the last eight games dating back to 1980,
including a 1-0 victory June 4, 1994 in front of 91,123 fans at the Rose Bowl
in the final World Cup tune-up game for both teams.   Mexico, 15th in the
latest FIFA world rankings, placed 13th in the 1994 World Cup, one position
ahead of the United States.  The U.S. is 23rd in the current FIFA monthly
world rankings.
	Colombia will be the final U.S. opponent Sunday, June 25 at Rutgers Stadium
in Piscataway, N.J.  The U.S. shocked the sports world with a 2-1 triumph
over Colombia in last year's World Cup.  The victory helped the U.S. advance
beyond the first round of the World Cup for the first time since 1930.
Colombia, one of the pre-tournament favorites, finished 19th in the 1994
World Cup but is still 17th in the FIFA world rankings.
	Non-USA U.S. Cup '95 matches include Colombia v. Nigeria June 17 at Rutgers
(Noon EDT, ESPN2), Mexico v. Colombia June 21 at RFK Stadium (8:30 p.m. EDT,
ESPN2), and Nigeria v. Mexico June 24 at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas (Noon EDT,
ESPN).
	The U.S., coached by Bora Milutinovic, won the inaugural U.S. Cup in 1992,
gaining a tie against defending world champion Italy to clinch the title. In
1993, the U.S. defeated England 2-0, the first American win over the English
since 1950. 
	U.S. Cup '95 tickets range in price from $8-$50,  and are available by
calling the following outlets.

 Washington, D.C.  202-34-SCORE (Washington Soccer '96) 202-432-SEAT
(Ticketmaster)
 Dallas   214-323-1323 (North Texas Soccer) 214-647-5700 (Ticketmaster)
 Boston   617-931-2000 (Ticketmaster) 508-931-2000 (Ticketmaster)
 Rutgers   212/307-7171 (Ticketmaster) 201/507-8900 (Ticketmaster)

 MEDIA ACCREDITATION:  Media interested in covering U.S. Cup '95 should apply
for credentials by submitting a U.S. Cup '95 media accreditation application
by mail to the U.S. Soccer Communications Department, 1801 S. Prairie Ave.,
Chicago, Ill., 60616, or via fax at 312/808-9566.  The deadline for
applications is Friday, May 5.  Applications submitted beyond the May 5
deadline will be considered only if accompanied by a $100 late fee.

# # #

    OK I set the video to tape U.S v Uruguay on Saturday and at 7pm it
    cut over to another programme as the game was supended after 85 minutes
    due to heavy rain/winds, I checked the newspapers and there's no report
    of the game being completed.... so what happened anyone?
    
    From what I saw the U.S played only about half of its world cup team
    with the entire midfield absent (ramos, harkes, dooley, reyna). Cobi
    Jones had a good game and there was a Manc called Kuwolski (well the
    commentator said he was in the Mancs reserves) who showed some promise
    but apart from that not a lot of enterprise. Other players absent
    included wynalda, balboa..., meola (now in an acting career), 
    caligulari played in the centre of defence but kept wandering over to
    fullback - still at least his hair looked good! (he does
    head-and-shoulders adverts) and Lalas was captain now spouting a Tony
    meola style pony-tail as well as a goatee. lots of other players came
    and went who i hadn't seen before.
    
    John kerr Jr (of Millwall) playing his first game since 89 scored the
    first after about 14 minutes and Ernie Stewart got the second in the
    2nd half - both were crosses from Cobi Jones - Big Fat Ron should
    definitely think about playing him?
    
    then after about 79 mins Juergen Sommer (of Luton) following obviously
    a tip from a malaysian businessman in the crowd! decided to throw the
    game. Coming out to a block a shot he left his legs wide-open and the
    ball went through it. Then a couple of minutes later he stopped and fell
    on the ball, next thing you now he isn't holding the ball but pushes
    it out to an approaching uruguayan attacker who slots it home and the
    2-0 lead has gone.
    
    regards
                                      
    Andrew.D.Wicks  

    	Just for the record, the USA-Nigeria game has been re-scheduled
    	for 2 PM on June 11 - apparently this was due to pressure from ESPN.
    	Reduced price tickets are available through Massachusetts Youth
    	Soccer Association (MYSA) here in Littleton at 508-486-0516, the
    	best deal being the $25 seats near midfield which are being sold 
    	at $20 for adults and $12 for kids.  
    
    Ken (who got the first set of tickets sold) Roberts

    FOR SALE:
    
    2 tickets to the US CUP '95 Soccer match at Foxboro Stadium
    
    U.S. vs. Nigeria
    Foxboro Stadium
    Sunday June 11th at 2:00pm
    $35 per ticket (face value)
    
    Please contact me at: CONSLT::OWEN if interested
    
    Thanks,
    Steve
    

    The tickets forsale in .5 are now $30 each
    
    Contact CONSLT::OWEN if interested
    
    -Steve
    

    I watched the USA v Nigeria match on television and I really enjoyed
    the "new" attacking style of the USA team --players such as Sorber,
    Lalas, Balboa who played in foreign first division this past season 
    really improved 
    
    any comments
    
    rick

    I was at the match yesterday and it was a real treat to see the US
    playing an attacking style of football.  In particular, Ernie Stewart
    and Cobi Jones were very impressive making attacking runs down the
    flanks from their midfield positions.  The US had many good scoring
    chances, although Alexi Lalas had to preserve the win with a clear off
    of the goal line in the last 10 minutes.
    
    Steve

    US stunned Mexico 4-0 yesterday in Washington D.C., in a match that was
    nationally televised on ABC.  Goals by Roy Wegerle (3rd minute), Thomas
    Dooley (25th min), John Harkes (36th min), and Claudi Reyna (68th min).
    Kasey Keller played in goal and made several big saves early in the
    match.  The US has now scored 7 goals in the last two matches while
    defeating Nigerial and Mexico.  Sunday they play Columbia in the final
    match of this year's US Cup.
    
    Steve

    
    
    
    i'm just back from an east coast footie tour to boston and d.c so
    to fill in the missing results....
    
    Colombia 1 Nigeria 0 - a goal about 7 minutes from the end a free kick 
    that was going wide hit a nigerian player on the head and diverted into 
    the far corner past the keeper.
    
    Colombia 0 Mexico 0 - a real humdinger with the only excitement being
    a pitch invasion at the end.
    
    more when I have time 
    final games this weekend one on espn and the other on abc.
    
    regards
    
    Andrew.D.Wicks

>    Colombia 0 Mexico 0 - a real humdinger with the only excitement being
>    a pitch invasion at the end.
    
Notable for the reappearance of the world's most eccentric goalkeeper? Rene 
Higuita, out of jail and playing for Colombia again. Actually, did this game 
feature BOTH the world's most 'colourful' keepers?

grahame

    Final on Suday was 0 to 0 so USA wins....
    
    Ref missed a penalty kick for USA in the first half.  
    I'd have called a few more fouls, but he was certainly consistant, and
    I lack his international experience (an understatement!!!!).
    I think his first yellow card was appropriate.  The second one was a
    bit of a stretch, but at least he kept control of the match.  Based on
    the first part of the first half I thought things were going to get
    messy (a grudge rematch).
    
    My biggest complaint is that he didn't give enough extra injury time at
    the end of the second half.  First, the injury time out was a lot longer 
    than the extra time given.  Second, he stopped the match at a corner kick. 
    That is NOT a usual time to end things...
    
    Even though it was 0 to 0, there were lots of scoring chances, and it
    was, in my opinion, an exciting match!
    
    Regards,
    				Jeff

    
    >Ref missed a penalty kick for USA in the first half.
	
    Imagine letting a ref take a penalty!
    
    Choppers *:@)