User:123soccer123/Friendlies Joe Robbie Cup

'''Joe Robbie Cup'''

'''Joe Robbie Cup'''

The Joe Robbie Cup was an international invitational tournament organized by the United States Soccer Federation (USSF). It was held from February 18 to 20, 1994, at Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami, Florida. All four participating teams used it as a warm-up for the 1994 FIFA World Cup. The participating teams represented three different FIFA continental confederations: Sweden (UEFA), Colombia and Bolivia (CONMEBOL), and the host nation, the United States (CONCACAF). The tournament was played in a round-robin format, consisting of four matches. Sweden won the title on goal difference after finishing level on points with Colombia, while Colombia finished as runners-up, the United States in third place, and Bolivia in last place.[1]{{Cite web |title=Joe Robbie Cup 1994 (Miami) |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesj/joerobbie94.html |access-date=2026-04-20 |website=www.rsssf.org}}

The Joe Robbie Cup was an international invitational tournament organized by the United States Soccer Federation (USSF). It was held from February 18 to 20, 1994, at Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami, Florida. All four participating teams used it as a warm-up for the 1994 FIFA World Cup. The participating teams represented three different FIFA continental confederations: Sweden (UEFA), Colombia and Bolivia (CONMEBOL), and the host nation, the United States (CONCACAF). The tournament was played in a round-robin format, consisting of four matches. Sweden won the title on goal difference after finishing level on points with Colombia, while Colombia finished as runners-up, the United States in third place, and Bolivia in last place. name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Joe Robbie Cup 1994 (Miami) |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesj/joerobbie94.html |access-date=2026-04-20 |website=www.rsssf.org}}

Background

Background

Joe Robbie Stadium was initially included on the shortlist of potential venues for the 1994 World Cup. However, it was later excluded in March 1992 because the Florida Marlins were scheduled to play their home games there starting in 1993, and their schedule conflicted with the World Cup dates (June 18th–July 17th)[3][4]

Joe Robbie Stadium was initially included on the shortlist of potential venues for the 1994 World Cup. However, it was later excluded in March 1992 because the Florida Marlins were scheduled to play their home games there starting in 1993, and their schedule conflicted with the World Cup dates (June 18th–July 17th){{Cite web |title=World Cup goes indoors for 1994 - UPI Archives |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1992/03/23/World-Cup-goes-indoors-for-1994/8272701326800/ |access-date=2026-04-20 |website=UPI |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Lewis |first=Michael |date=2022-06-15 |title=USA '94 VENUE SELECTION: When the World Cup came to the land of the Giants |url=https://www.frontrowsoccer.com/2022/06/15/usa-94-venue-selection-when-the-world-cup-came-to-the-land-of-the-giants/ |access-date=2026-04-20 |website=Front Row Soccer |language=en-US}}

Match Results

Match Results

The two opening matches on February 18 each drew a crowd of 15,676 fans. The first match between Sweden and Colombia ended in a 0–0 draw (0–0 at halftime). Colombian captain Carlos Valderrama was sent off in the 45th minute after a two-footed tackle on Anders Limpar and a subsequent altercation with Kennet Andersson. Additionally, Swedish defender Joachim Björklund was sent off in the 83rd minute for a tackle from behind [1]. The referee was Helder Dias of the United States [1]. Later that day, the United States faced Bolivia officiated by Mexican referee Acala Pineda. Bolivian forward Jaime Moreno scored against the United States in the 44th minute (0–1 at halftime), and Cobi Jones equalized for the home team in the 78th minute, with the match ending in a 1–1 draw [2][1].

The two opening matches on February 18 each drew a crowd of 15,676 fans. The first match between Sweden and Colombia ended in a 0–0 draw (0–0 at halftime). Colombian captain Carlos Valderrama was sent off in the 45th minute after a two-footed tackle on Anders Limpar and a subsequent altercation with Kennet Andersson. Additionally, Swedish defender Joachim Björklund was sent off in the 83rd minute for a tackle from behind name=":0" />. The referee was Helder Dias of the United States name=":0" />. Later that day, the United States faced Bolivia officiated by Mexican referee Acala Pineda. Bolivian forward Jaime Moreno scored against the United States in the 44th minute (0–1 at halftime), and Cobi Jones equalized for the home team in the 78th minute, with the match ending in a 1–1 draw {{Cite web |date=2015-09-24 |title=USMNT Results: 1990-1994 |url=https://www.ussoccerhistory.org/usnt-results/usmnt-results/usmnt-results-1990-1994/ |access-date=2026-04-20 |website=Society for American Soccer History |language=en-US}}.

Attendance for both matches on February 20 increased to 20,171[1]. Colombia defeated Bolivia 2–0, with Miguel Asprilla scoring in the 29th minute (1–0 at halftime) and Wilson Pérez sealing the victory with a penalty kick in the 77th minute. The referee was D'Aquila of the United States[1]. In the second match of the day between the United States and Sweden, Hugo Pérez opened the scoring for the home team in the 4th minute. But Sweden scored twice in the first half to complete a comeback. Henrik Larsson scored in the 30th minute and Kennet Andersson in the 34th (1–2 at halftime). Mats Lilienberg added another goal in the 56th minute, securing a 3–1 victory for Sweden. The referee was Marrufo Mendoza from Mexico [1].  New York Times reporter Charlie Nobles noted that Pérez was the standout player for the U.S. team, but overall, the U.S. team performed poorly [5]. According to the Associated Press, the Swedish team was brimming with confidence about their preparation after winning the tournament. A total of eight goals were scored in the tournament, with eight different players each netting one. The total attendance for the four matches was 71,694.

Attendance for both matches on February 20 increased to 20,171. Colombia defeated Bolivia 2–0, with Miguel Asprilla scoring in the 29th minute (1–0 at halftime) and Wilson Pérez sealing the victory with a penalty kick in the 77th minute. The referee was D'Aquila of the United States. In the second match of the day between the United States and Sweden, Hugo Pérez opened the scoring for the home team in the 4th minute. But Sweden scored twice in the first half to complete a comeback. Henrik Larsson scored in the 30th minute and Kennet Andersson in the 34th (1–2 at halftime). Mats Lilienberg added another goal in the 56th minute, securing a 3–1 victory for Sweden. The referee was Marrufo Mendoza from Mexico />. New York Times reporter Charlie Nobles noted that Pérez was the standout player for the U.S. team, but overall, the U.S. team performed poorly [5]. According to the Associated Press, the Swedish team was brimming with confidence about their preparation after winning the tournament. A total of eight goals were scored in the tournament, with eight different players each netting one. The total attendance for the four matches was 71,694.

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