USA vs Argentina in the 2016 Copa America Centenario Semifinal
Paul Caligiuri is one of America’s most important soccer players of all time. Caligiuri played on the U.S. Men’s National Team for 15 years and is most remembered for his ‘Shot Heard Round the World’ which qualified the United States for the 1990 FIFA World Cup. It was this goal in 1989 which changed everything for the USA and launched unprecedented growth of the beautiful game in our country. An expert on American soccer and a member of the USMNT team which beat Argentina 3-0 before, here are Caligiuri’s thoughts on how the USA can beat Argentina in the 2016 Copa America.
Twenty-one years ago, a hungry and ambitious United States Men’s National Team beat Argentina in a stunning 3-0 victory. This is perhaps a well forgotten triumphant tale and one that should be remembered now as we face the same rival in the semi final of the 2016 Copa America Centenario.
As you know, in soccer, anything is possible. Who would have thought Chile would defeat Mexico 7-0?” said World Cup star Paul Caligiuri.
History Lesson from U.S. Soccer: Not only did the U.S. MNT finish fourth at the 1995 Copa America, they turned some heads and surprised many soccer observers and experts along the way. Their victories included a triumph against Chile, the team’s first win over a South American team on that continent in 65 years, a surprising 3-0 victory over highly-rated Argentina and a penalty-kick shootout win against archrival Mexico at a neutral venue.
Do you think America can be victorious against Argentina in the 2016 Copa America Centenario? This is the question everyone is pondering. The general, overwhelming popular opinion is no — few soccer fans believe the USA can defeat Argentina and Messi. For that very reason, Paul Caligiuri, believes the USA can win. “The key is not to stop Messi,” says Caligiuri — who played on the 1995 U.S. MNT team that beat Argentina. “The key is to stop people around him from getting him the ball.”
“I played against Argentina in ’95 and we came out with a nothing to lose attitude and attacked and won 3-0. Speed counts and the USA must attack with speed when we play in the semifinal,” said Caligiuri.
A member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame, Caligiuri is the person who U.S. Soccer personally thanks for scoring the goal which qualified the USA to compete in the FIFA World Cup after a 40 year absence. With more experience than most people could ever dream of, Caligiuri — who earned 110 caps on the National team — understands the strategy of soccer.
“The assumption that Argentina will defeat the USA alone pressures Argentina,” explains Caligiuri. “Everyone believes Argentina is going to win – for this reason they are pressured to win this game. If Argentina do not get an early goal, the pressure is going to mount. Our defense has been very strong and has only become better. Argentina’s greatest vulnerability is in their defense.”
Caligiuri believes that for America to win, the keys of the game are putting pressure on Javier Mascherano, Argentina’s midfielder. “The ball flows through Mascherano and he usually has lots of space around him,” said Caligiuri. “It would be great to match up a Landon Donovan type player with Mascherano to prevent him from having time and space. For America to win the semifinal, the keys to the game are quick counter attacks and taking advantage of our set plays – corner kicks and free kicks. We are very good on set plays.”
How would you deal with Lionel Messi? “Messi is such a great player,” said Caligiuri.
There is no stopping Messi, so stop the rest. Stop the build up to prevent the attack.”
Regardless of the final score of the 2016 Copa America Centenario semifinal, this is an amazing opportunity for the American sports fan to fall in love with soccer. It will be interesting to see how the U.S. Men’s National Team Head Coach Jurgen Klinsmann deals with the twenty-eight year old Barcelona FC star player.
Watching Messi — who is perhaps one of the greatest player of all time — play in the USA against our country is going to take soccer to new level in the USA,” said Caligiuri.
5’7″ and 151 pound Messi is a formidable force on the soccer field and the only soccer player to win five FIFA Ballons d’Or, the award for being the world’s best male player. Messi is the top goal scorer in the Spanish league La Liga, it is an honor to play on the same field and a remarkable opportunity for our US MNT.
More from U.S. Soccer:
To truly appreciate the quality of the team that U.S. Soccer sent to the 1995 Copa America, it must be noted that a dozen from that squad have been elected to the National Soccer Hall of Fame. The impressive list includes goalkeeper Kasey Keller; defenders Marcelo Balboa, Alexi Lalas, Paul Caligiuri and Thomas Dooley; midfielders John Harkes, Tab Ramos, Cobi Jones, Earnie Stewart, Joe-Max Moore and Claudio Reyna; and forward Eric Wynalda. Another teammate, goalkeeper Brad Friedel, who retired from professional soccer in 2015, is also considered to be a strong candidate when he becomes eligible.
Back then, the USMNT journeyed to Uruguay to prove they could play with the world’s best. A year older and wiser after reaching the second round of the 1994 World Cup, the USA proved to the rest of the soccer world our country was for real. Fast forward to the present, we are still proving our abilities on the pitch and the USA vs Argentina match on June 21st is one more step towards this goal.
His goal changed soccer in the USA on FIFA TV https://youtu.be/Q-JP0uay6Aw
