Forget all the alleged schemes and machinations designed to give the United States the easiest route to the second round of the World Cup. If that was in the works, somebody messed up.
The United States drew rising South American power Colombia, Romania and Switzerland on Sunday as its first-round opponents in next summer's World Cup. All three will be rated ahead of the Americans, especially Colombia, the most improved team in the world in 1993."We have one of the two toughest groups," said American player Peter Vermes. "FIFA didn't set up everything for the U.S., that's for sure."
"Colombia has beaten the United States twice, 1-0 and 2-1," said U.S. coach Bora Milutinovic. "It's time for the United States to beat Colombia."
Actually, Colombia is 8-1 against the Americans, while Switzerland is 3-0-1 and Romania is 0-1-1.
Germany, the defending champion, will open the soccer extravaganza against Bolivia in Chicago on June 17 to start the monthlong tournament.
The Americans, hosts of soccer's showcase for the first time, will open at the Pontiac Silverdome outside Detroit on June 18 against the Swiss. The Americans will play Colombia and Romania at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif.
"It probably is a must game right from the beginning," said U.S. forward Ernie Stewart. "I think we are going to win the first two games. I think we have a good chance to make the second round."
Colombia won its qualifying group with a 5-0-2 record and routed two-time champion Argentina 5-0 in the final qualifying game. Romania used a late surge to win its qualifying sector ahead of Belgium, which along with the United States, Germany, Brazil, Argentina and Italy were top seeds for the 24-team tournament. The Romanians won their last six qualifying games.
Switzerland finished second to Italy in its qualifying group, which kept Portugal and Scotland - perennial World Cup teams - from advancing.
"With the U.S. as the host nation, there is going to be a lot of focus on our group," said Switzerland coach Roy Hodgson. "We're Switzerland, we participate in the World Cup once every 30 years, so everything bothers us."
The U.S. group also will play at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto, Calif. The United States plays Colombia on June 22 and Romania on June 26.
"There are no weak teams in the World Cup, but it's a pretty tough group," said U.S. midfielder Janusz Michallik. "Obviously, everyone hopes to play the weaker teams."
The top two finishers in each of the six groups, plus the best four third-place teams, will advance to the second round. Each round is single elimination after that, leading to the final on July 17 at the Rose Bowl.
"To qualify, we will need five points," said Milutinovich, whose U.S. team - minus several key players - lost to Germany 3-0 on Saturday. "With my team, I'm very sure we'll make it."
Germany will open against Bolivia at Soldier Field and also will face Spain and South Korea. Those teams will play in Chicago, Foxboro, Mass., and Dallas. Spain and South Korea will play in Dallas on opening night.
"Thank God we didn't get an African team," said Germany coach Berte Vogts, who fears the rising teams from that continent. "We've never played Bolivia and I don't know them, but I have time to prepare."
Argentina, which won the 1986 championship and was runner-up in 1990, faces Nigeria, Bulgaria and Greece. They will play in Foxboro, Chicago and Dallas.
Brazil, also a three-time World Cup champion, has Cameroon, Russia and Sweden in its bracket. Their games will take place at the Rose Bowl, Stanford and Pontiac.
Italy, the other three-time World Cup winner, drew Mexico, Ireland and Norway. Those teams will play at Giants Stadium in New Jersey, the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Fla., and RFK Stadium in Washington.
"In this group, you can't play a 50 percent game," said Arrigo Sacchi, coach of Italy.
Belgium got the Netherlands, Morocco and Saudi Arabia. They will play at Orlando, Washington and Giants Stadium.
"The great advantage of playing Belgium is that we know it," Dutch coach Dick Advocaat said. "We see it's players on TV every week. We know how they play. Whereas Saudi Arabia and Morocco are unknown to us."
The 90-minute draw was presided over by Joseph Blatter, the general secretary of FIFA, soccer's rulling body, and watched worldwide by a television audience estimated at 600 million.
The entertainment, in keeping with the glitter image of this neon capital, included performances by Stevie Wonder, Barry Manilow, James Brown and Vanessa Williams. Also taking part were comedian Robin Williams, boxing champion Evander Holyfield and former soccer stars Franz Beckenbauer, Eusebio, Michel Platini and Bobby Charlton.
Noticeably absent was Pele, considered the sport's greatest and most popular player. Pele has been sued by Ricardo Teixeira, the son-in-law of FIFA president Joao Havelange and the head of the Confederation of Brazilian Football. Havelange barred Pele from participating.
"I don't think this is a FIFA issue," Pele said. "I think this is a personal message from Havelange. This doesn't change anything, this is a personal thing. I was invited and dis-invited."