1999 Nike U.S. Cup

The 1999 Nike U.S. Cup was a four nation invitational tournament sponsored by Nike, Inc. and organized by the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) in March 1999. The four teams included the host United States, Mexico, Bolivia and Guatemala. This year, Guatemala was making its first and only appearance in the cup, Bolivia was playing in its second cup and Mexico was appearing for the third time, having won the last two editions, in 1996 and 1997. Mexico would win again this year, for its third consecutive title. While in previous years, the U.S. cup featured four teams in a round robin tournament, with the team having the best record claiming the title, this year USSF elected to use a two-game double header format. The winners of the first two games met for the title in the first game of the second doubleheader while the losers in the first two games played each other in the second doubleheader's later game.

In the first game of the 1999 Nike U.S. Cup, the U.S. defeated Guatemala 3-1. Coming into the match, seven of the U.S. starters had five or less caps. This showed in the early going as Guatemala controlled the run of play. However, the U.S. slowly regained its composure and using its strength in the air, began to send high balls into the Guatemala area. Ante Razov, Ben Olsen and Brian McBride all had headers saved by Guatemala keeper Edgar Estrada in the first half. The first goal of the game came in the 22d minute when Ben Olsen sent a cross into the area from the right. Brian McBride headed the ball towards the front of the goal where Joe-Max Moore quickly blasted into the top of the goal. In the 37th minute, McBride headed in a cross from Razov to give the U.S. a comfortable 2-0 lead going into halftime. However, the Guatemalans came out looking to score and finally found the net after Eddie Lewis took down Guillermo Ortega in the penalty area. Jorge Perez took the penalty kick and put it past U.S. keeper Zach Thornton. As the score remained 2-1, Guatemalan frustrations boiled over and Erick Miranda hacked at Joe-Max Moore in the box approaching the 90th minute. Moore turned around and retaliated only to find both himself and Miranda ejected. Both would miss the second game of the cup. As the victor, the U.S. would go on to the title game against the winner of the second game of the day.

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