USA vs Costa Rica World Cup ’86 Qualifier Ticket

This rather plain ticket is significant because it marks the end of an era. This was the last time the USA was disappointed by not qualifying for the World Cup (unfortunately, they were eliminated from qualifying for the 2018 World Cup—breaking the 24 year run).

I was at the game in my home town of Torrance, California. It was played at El Camino College’s Murdoch stadium. This is the place I fell in love with soccer following the LA Aztecs and later the LA Lazers—but it was packed with Costa Rican fans.

The USA lost the game 1-0 and the players were despondent, especially Ricky Davis. The team consisted of mostly indoor soccer players because the NASL had folded the prior year and the MISL was thriving at the time.

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