U.S. Back In Action
This time, the United States may actually have the home crowd on its side.
The Americans play Mexico in a World Cup qualifier in Foxboro, Mass., Sunday, and the U.S. Soccer Federation said only 1,000 tickets remain in a stadium with a capacity of 57,877.
“With a sold-out crowd, we expect the atmosphere to be outstanding,” U.S. coach Steve Sampson said during a conference call. “I think this team is ready to play for an American crowd. They can do a lot to lift our performance on the field.”
USSF spokesman Jim Froslid said many Hispanics have bought tickets, but the “composition of the stadium will be much more Anglo than in the past. More than 50 percent.”
The U.S. team has much at stake Sunday. It has slipped three points behind Mexico in the six-team CONCACAF standings, from which three will qualify for the 1998 World Cup in France.