"In 1970, three American buddies and I sat in what seemed like the 145th row of a grand, cavernous 105,000-seat Azteca Stadium in Mexico City and watched enthralled what today remains the most exciting World Cup game I have seen live: Italy vs. West Germany.
That's odd, because I am not a particularly fond of German or Italian soccer, the two nations that Friday advanced to a Tuesday semifinal in Dortmund. But on that day long ago, in the semifinal of Mexico '70, as German fullback Karl Heinz Schellinger surged forward to tie the match at 1 in the 89th minute, little did I know what was in store for the next 30 minutes. It was breathtaking stuff, with goals galore. Italy won 4-3 in extra time. Germany's Franz Beckenbauer, with his arm in a sling, made so many broken-field runs in a match played in mid-afternoon in the middle of a Mexican summer. That incredible battle will stay with me forever."
For Marcos' full report go to the Tampa Tribune >>
About Me
- USL
- The largest organization of elite-level soccer leagues in North America, United Soccer Leagues is dedicated to growing the sport at the grassroots level in every community. The USL First Division and Second Division (North American men’s professional soccer), the USL Premier Development League (U23 North American men’s amateur), the USL W-League (North American women’s amateur), the USL Super-20 League (U20 North American men’s and women’s amateur) and the USL Super Y-League (North American boy’s and girl’s elite youth amateur) have provided a platform for thousands of players to reach their dreams since 1986. This vision and commitment to develop a soccer nation by fans, investors, administrators, coaches, and players has created the foundation for the growth of the sport, while presenting affordable, exciting family entertainment in over 100 cities and towns on the continent.