Ronald Reagan Begs for the World Cup

It all started in a college dorm in Indiana. This week, we look at the story behind the 1994 World Cup bid and a certain President’s persuasive ways. It’s a USA '94-themed email today to mark the anniversary of the greatest tournament held on our shores. Plus, we unearth forgotten photos from that WC, take a look at our first “TV spot,” examine the soccer trial of the century, and much more.

This week’s stories:

• 🎪 The World’s Fair

• 🦚 Ruffling Feathers

• 🙏 Reagan Begs for the World Cup

• ⚖️ Suing US Soccer

• 🗳️ Poll + Last Week’s Answers

• ➡️ And More

OUR HISTORY
The World’s Fair

30 years ago today, the US kicked off their 1994 World Cup campaign. It was a weekend that changed the history of our sport.

From Oprah and Bill Clinton taking charge at the opening ceremony to Jurgen Klinsmann scoring the first goal of the tournament in Chicago, those opening two days had it all.

Interestingly, the hosting USMNT did not participate in the inaugural game, as is now customary. Still, on June 18th, Eric Wynalda stunned the world with a gorgeous free-kick, the denim kits made an appearance on the highest stage, and the Pontiac Silverdome caught a case of soccer fever. This is how that weekend looked.

EXPANSION
Ruffling Feathers

This new league is the talk of the town. Ever since the USL Super League got Division 1 designation, everyone wondered what it’d mean for women’s soccer in the country. Could they compete with NWSL?

Seems like they’re up for the challenge. This past week, the league announced they’d inked a multi-year partnership with Peacock, which will make the streaming service the official home of Super League matches starting this season. The future seems bright.

COVER STORY
Reagan Begs for the World Cup

The announcement happened in the lobby of a college dorm at Indiana Central University. Not the nicest of settings, but that was the first time USSF President Gene Edwards vocalized the US’s intention to host the World Cup.

It was the summer of 1982, and word traveled fast up to Ronald Reagan’s ear. He heard Edwards loud and clear. Plus, with the Cold War seemingly prompting the US to extend its influence across the globe, what could be better than hosting the greatest sporting event on the planet?

From that moment on, Reagan went on a mission. He began hosting local youth teams at the White House, throwing dinners for Team America, and even invited Pele for a meeting. Still, nothing compared to what he was about to do next.

In 1988, Reagan shocked the entire soccer world with an unprecedented direct appeal to FIFA to support the USA ’94 bid. It might be the norm today, but back then, Reagan’s letter directed to FIFA was the first time a major world leader stepped in to make an appeal on behalf of his nation’s soccer federation. His plea was quite persuasive, and for better or worse, it heightened the entangling of world politics and soccer we’d see in subsequent decades.

For good measure, Reagan then followed up his letter with a wine-and-dine at the White House for FIFA President Havelange and Sepp Blatter. What a trifecta.

Although history remembers the opening ceremony at Soldier Field and Roberto Baggio’s penalty miss at the Rose Bowl, the real battles were fought behind closed doors all throughout the 80s. Looking back, some were more shady than others.

The full story of how the US was awarded the 1994 World Cup is nothing short of incredible.

LAW
Suing US Soccer

See you in court. After seven long years of litigation, it seems the NASL will finally get its wish of taking US Soccer and MLS to trial.

The NASL filed an antitrust lawsuit against both entities after losing its Division 2 league designation from the USSF in September 2017.

The NASL alleges that the anti-competitive “Division” structure overseen by the USSF is an "arbitrary criteria that the USSF has manipulated to favor Major League Soccer.”

The trial is set to start on September 9th. Read up on the case here.

CLUBELEVEN
The Supporters Section

State your case. We’ll highlight your best answers next week!

CLUBELEVEN
Aggregates

Mason in Madison: The lines between Fútbol and Football continue to blur. Here’s your chance to catch a USL League One match with Green Bay Packers all-time leading scorer Mason Crosby.

Your Crest: A few of you may have helped FC Naples develop their crest and colors through that survey from a few months back. Check out the final look. 

Plug In: It was a struggle trying to find where to watch the Euros here in the US. Fox let us down with some of their programming decisions this weekend. If it counts for anything, you should check out Vix. They’ll have Copa and Euros all summer for cheap.

Great Spirits: Shoutout to our good friend Diana Hernandez. She recently began working with the Washington Spirit, and the club broke its attendance record over the weekend. Coincidence? I think not.

Truly Unhinged: You won’t be able to unsee this. Weston McKennie went above and beyond for this commercial. It’ll be iconic twenty years down the line.

INNOVATION
Joga Bonito in Rochester

After covering TST, we flew straight to Rochester to complete another upcoming project. We would’ve never expected to find what we did.

By chance, we met former Rochester Lancers player Elliot Fauske, affectionately known as the “Mohican Warrior” around those parts.

At the Rochester Airport, he showed us an innovative product he’s been developing ever since getting to play in Goiás a few years ago. It’s a special ball used in Brazil to dramatically improve your touch, and now he’s brought it to the States. After playing with it at our gate, we can attest it works beautifully.

COMMUNITY
NSC TV x Paris

Our Oakland-based friends over at Neighborhood Sports Club have been up to something special this month. They entered to compete in the 2024 Paris African Cup, and the scenes have been unreal.

You can watch Episode 1 of their time in Paris here. They’re making our country proud.

Also, they’re hosting a month-long pop-up in Paris at Ola’s Café. Expect apparel, a limited edition NSC Cold Brew, food & wine, and a run club. Pretty much all you need if you find yourself visiting the French capital this summer.

CLUBELEVEN
Your Takes 🗯️ 

Last week, we asked you how far you think the USMNT will go in Copa America. Here are some of your answers:

• “Look, I want to say we make it to semis but we are quite irregular so I don't know what to expect at this point. Quarterfinals is my prediction.” - Darío

• “Realistically quarterfinals, but hopefully semis. Anything can happen after that.” - T

In the poll, “Quarterfinal” won with 55% of the vote, while “Group Stage” earned second place with 22% of the vote. To be fair, we asked this question right after the game against Colombia, so that may have swung things a bit.

UP NEXT
CLUBELEVEN Prime Time

Huge shoutout to Sebi Salazar for repping our CLUBELEVEN jersey on ESPN’s Futbol Americas. It was great catching up with him at TST last week.

We’re already working on making these kits available to you all, and by the looks of it, it seems Herc might want one too. Stay tuned 👀 

Enjoying This?

Make sure to forward this email to a friend and help us spread the soccer gospel far and wide! We’ll see you next week with even more untold stories of soccer.

Have a great Tuesday!

Pablo