Original subtitles

(man over PA) Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to RFK Stadium

for the 2004 Sierra Mist MLS All-Star Game.

(in Spanish) Damas y caballeros, bienvenidos al estadio RFK

para el juego All Star de Sierra Mist MLS del 2004.

(man #2) Ladies and gentlemen, in order...

♪ Y'all ready for this?

(♪ "Get Ready For This Rap Version" by 2 Unlimited)

♪ Yeah

♪ Yeah

♪ Yeah

(cheering)

♪ Yeah

♪ Yeah

♪ Yeah

♪ Yeah, yeah

(indistinct chatter)

This is a player who's always going forward...

- Excuse me, Mr. McSkimming? - Yes.

Hey, I'm Matthew Tucker.

Sure. Yeah, how are you? Sit down.

Thank you. Hope the seats are all right.

Yes, they're fine.

By the way, you can call me Dent. This is my granddaughter here, Emily.

- Hey, Emily. - Hi.

Striker, both feet.

- Goal-scorer, huh? - Yeah.

Gonna be an all-star one day.

Dent, did you ever imagine back in your day

that you'd see a soccer match in America played in a stadium this big?

I always thought that it was only a matter of time

before we began to catch up with the rest of the world in our passion for the game.

You were the only reporter from the US at the '50 World Cup, right?

I was just doing my job.

Really? I read that you actually paid your way to go down there.

There were plenty of St. Louisians

who cared deeply about our boys and their venture.

'Course... I would have gone anyway,

even if I didn't have a professional reason to be there.

- You want me to tell you all about this...? - Yeah, if you have the time.

- Where shall I start? - How 'bout at the beginning?

Well...

You see, I and most of those boys,

we all were from St. Louis, an area called The Hill.

La Montagna, settled by Italian immigrants around the turn of the century.

Like many immigrant communities all over America,

The Hill had one foot in the old country and one in the new.

And great pride in both places.

An area of about 20 square blocks,

The Hill was a tightly knit, self-contained enclave.

Their world revolved around hard work, family, food,

boccie ball and the church.

Neighbors knew neighbors and neighbors' sons and cousins,

and who was in St. Ambrose and who was not -

whether it be for Sunday Mass,

weddings or... funerals.

(bell tolling)

(man speaking in Latin)

You're late.

Harry, my friend, you look like you're about to have a heart attack.

(in Italian)

Another English lesson?

Why does she have to learn English

if she's going back to Guadalajara in two weeks?

See you later, Salvador.

(speaking in Latin)

Let's get this stiff in the ground. We gotta be in the North Side in 20.

(woman crying)

It's OK, Mama. It's OK. There, there. Let it out.

Please, take me with him!

Gino. Time to go. Let's go.

(woman continues crying)

(woman #2) I know, it's so hard. I know. We all miss him.

Sì.

(Dent) The people on The Hill loved baseball.

Yogi Berra and Joe Garagiola grew up there.

But their greatest passion was reserved for football,

or, as we call it here, soccer.

(whistle blows)

And on The Hill, on any given day,

you could find some of the best soccer players in the country.

Like Frank Borghi, one-time baseball catcher with major-league potential.

Frank had a nose for the ball and an ability to stop it from going in the goal

unlike any keeper I had ever seen.

And I had seen a few.

It was my job to report to the St. Louisians

on the local amateur and semipro leagues.

For me, it wasn't work.

It was a daily joy to watch players who could compete anywhere on any field

at the highest levels of competition.

Like Gino Pariani, quick and strong,

an amazing passer and scorer.

Gino worked best in tandem with Francis "Pee Wee" Wallace.

Off the field, Pee Wee was a jokester. On the field, he was all business.

He played with an intensity second to no one in St. Louis.

- (man) Watch Pee Wee! - (man #2) Nice ball, Gino. Go!

A great attacker, fast and agile,

he was always pressing forward toward the goal.

And whether by solo attack or in tandem with Gino...

(cheering)

...Pee Wee Wallace was not to be denied.

You lookin' for this?

Guys, it's all right. Let's go. Let's go.

All right, get away, get away!

Then there was Charlie Columbo,

nicknamed "Gloves" for the mitts he always wore.

The enforcer, the hit man.

He never competed against a player he didn't want to put in the hospital.

- What? - Don't waste your breath.

- It was a clean tackle! - That look like a clean tackle to you?

- Charlie Gloves always plays clean. - Why you pickin' him up?

- I'm dating his sister. - So what?

(whistle blows)

Get up, Frankie!

All right, move them out! Move!

Harry Keough - smart, crafty.

Always seemed to be in the right place at the right time.

All right, push it up, push it up.

(indistinct yelling)

- Yeah! - (whistle blows)

(cheering)

(whistle blowing)

Good game, Johnny. Good game, guys.

Great game. Great game, guys. Good game.

(overlapping chatter)

Hey, Harry. Where did that come from, huh?

- That one was for you, Borghi. - Good shot.

- Good game, Frank. - Thanks, Dent.

So anyway, let's talk about your goal.

When you're scorin' Borghi, you're either very good or very lucky.

And today I was very lucky.

- You're lookin' more relaxed on the ball. - I've been working on that.

- Now you gotta work on your quickness. - I know. I realize that.

You know why Giesler wanted you to stay after?

I've a pretty good idea.

It's taken a while for us to get the politics of this straightened out, but it's official.

The tryouts for the US World Cup Soccer Team are being held here in St. Louis.

- (all murmuring) - What?

A team from the east are coming here to play the best from our area next Friday.

After the final team is picked, we go to New York to practice.

Maybe play one exhibition game. And then we travel down to Brazil.

Hoo! Brazil?

We'll play at least three games in your pool.

How long is the whole thing gonna take?

It works out to be about ten days of practice, maybe two, three weeks in all.

It's gonna be difficult for some of us to take time off work.

Gentlemen, I apologize for the short time frame. I know it's gonna be tough.

You'll be glad to hear we pay $100 a week, five dollars a day meal money.

And don't forget, it's a free trip to New York and Brazil.

What's the problem, Gino?

Well, uh... I, uh...

I can't make it. I can't do it. I'm getting married in two weeks.

(all groan)

- The girl's crazy about you. She'll wait. - Lay off, Charlie.

You'll have to postpone it. We're gonna need you.

I can't do that. The invitations are out, the caterers are set - the whole shebang.

God, I... I wish I could go. I wish I could go!

Don't worry about it, Gino. What's the point in going anyway?

So we can get slaughtered by a bunch of full-time professional teams?

How well did we do in the last Olympics, Harry? I'll tell you.

We were on the back end of a 9-0 embarrassment is how well we did.

To Italy.

Gino, I don't think you're missing anything.

It should be a privilege to represent your country,

no matter how difficult the circumstances.

- How many here are veterans? - (overlapping) I am.

OK.

In my opinion, the best soccer in this country is played right here in St. Louis.

I want us wearin' the red, white and blue in the world's greatest sporting event.

- I'm in. - Yeah.

(vacuuming)

- Is that the right one? - Yes.

Your mother wants to see you.

- What? - Your mother wants to see you.

I cleaned everything up for the viewing.

Your uncle Joe tells me you might be asking for three weeks off

to go play your games.

Yeah, I asked him. He said it would be all right.

Of course he did, because he's crazy for the soccer.

I told him you're not going.

Embalming school starts in three weeks. You cannot miss classes.

Embalming school?

Mama, how many times have I got to tell you? I'm not going to embalming school.

I don't want to be an undertaker.

- You don't want to better your life? - Ah...

This is a family business, right here.

I'm not having this conversation, not again.

You're a grown man and still you keep running off...

- Frank? - ...to go play boys' games!

She's driving me crazy in there.

How many times do I have to tell her this is not what I want to do?

Come on, Frank. You know your mother. She means well.

She just wants what's best for you.

No, actually, Rosemary, she doesn't know what's best for me.

Let's go to Bruno's and get something to eat.

I'm sorry, baby, I gotta play boccie tonight.

I promised the guys.

It's OK.

So you're gonna do it? You're... you're gonna go and try out?

Yes, I am.

- I won't be late. - OK.

(man commentating indistinctly)

Joey's gotta pick up his hittin'. You always had a better stick.

Thank you very much, Mr. Pee Wee, but you still didn't answer my question.

- What question was that? - That you're gonna be there tomorrow.

I can't do it.

- What are you talking about? - I can't do it.

- That doesn't make sense. - Hey...

- You know you got to be a part of this. - Oh, OK.

- We played together forever. - I know.

Besides, you love the game more than anyone I know.

Except him.

Except Gino, which is why the two of you play as a pair so well.

Look, if nothin' else, we could have a hell of a lot of fun, huh?

Giesler said we're gonna have to fly to Brazil and... I can't do that.

- That's the problem? - That's not a problem.

What do you mean? It's a serious problem.

Pee Wee, just ask God for protection. Yeah, and everything will be all right.

- In the plane? - (man speaking on radio)

You hear that? We got two men on. You hear that?

I got it, I got it. Here's the plan, OK?

We get so loaded before we get on that plane,

I guarantee you won't know the trip even happened.

What do you say?

You know about me and small spaces, Frank.

Pee Wee...

Pee Wee, what happened to you was six years ago.

The time you spent in that psycho ward for...

What do they call it? Shell shock?

How often do you think about that?

That feel like six years ago to you?

Guys. Guys? Stan the Man is up.

- Stan the Man. Stan the Man. - Stan the Man. Stan the Man!

He's got the ball, pulls it to Wallace.

OK, this is the goal, this is the goal.

Ooh!

- You trying to kill me? - (laughing)

Shh.

Come on, let's... let's go over to Randazzo's.

I can't. I got a date with Janet.

You show up like this, Silvio is gonna throw your butt out on the street.

Yeah? Or what Janet will do if I don't show up?

- It'd be a hell of a lot worse. - Yeah.

Did you just say "hell"?

I believe he did.

I must be drunk.

You keep it up, you're gonna be saying "damn" soon.

All right, guys.

I'm gonna go hit the bed. I got the tryouts tomorrow.

- What are you talking about? - I got the tryouts tomorrow! No. I gotta go.

You OK, my young man?

Hey. Hey, Gino. Hey, hey, hey.

What's the matter?

What? What's the matter, Gino?

I just wanna be on that team, Frankie. I just wanna be on the team.

I know you do.

Come on, you have the best girl.

You got the best girl in the world. You really do, Gino.

And you're gonna spend the rest of your life with her.

- Huh? Yeah? - Yeah.

Anyway, you know, we're...

Everybody thinks we're gonna be the clown team down there.

(honks)

Nobody's sayin' it more than Pee Wee, you know that. Huh?

It doesn't matter, Frankie. Just doesn't matter.

- I wanna be on that team. - I know, I know.

I just wanna be on the team.

It's OK.

Sit down. Sit down!

I told you. Never, ever show up late.

It's an insult and I won't have my daughter treated this way.

- I'm really sorry, Silvio. I... - Come here smellin' like a brewery.

Pee Wee set up this...

I'm sick of hearing about Pee Wee. Shut up!

We've more important things to talk about.

Now, there's a tryout for the United States national soccer team tomorrow.

- I already told them I couldn't do it. - Walter Geisler came to ask for my help.

Mr. Giesler? He came here?

You talk too much. Just listen for once.

- Mr. Geisler... - Giesler.

...he talks what a great honor it would be for this family,

for this community - La Montagna -

for this nation, if you wear the uniform of the United States of America.

Do you agree with him?

Well, I do.

- Of course you do, because he's right! - There is a problem...

There is no problem. You will be at that tryout tomorrow.

The team leaves next Sunday and we'll be gone for two weeks, so...

No, Papa, just tell him.

We'll move it up. You're getting married next Saturday.

But the church... The church and the caterers and the hall.

While you got drunk, I arranged everything.

- Except the new invitations. - Yes.

And you will deliver them all yourself tomorrow after the tryout.

Is this OK with you?

And don't do this again.

Here we go again with the tears. I've never seen a grown man cry as much as this.

(man) We have plenty of time. Don't worry about it.

(Dent) How much you know about the East Coast guys?

A little. I played for some of them. Played against some of them.

- That's Walter Bahr. - Yeah, Walter Bahr.

He knows his stuff.

Makes sure everyone else is aware of that too.

Well, pay attention to Clarkie Souza.

Phenomenal. Some kind of magician with the ball.

And fast! Mm.

And Ed McIlvenny. Scotsman. He's probably the best all-around player.

So is Pee Wee gonna show up?

I don't know.

OK, boys. We're not interested in which team scores the most goals.

We're looking for individual play.

Not just how well you do on your own - how you help make your teammates better.

This game's being refereed just like a regulation game.

If you get thrown out, you're out of the running for the team as well.

Bill Jeffrey is gonna be the national team coach.

Anything you want to say, Bill?

Remember, this is a gentleman's game.

Try to play like one.

Right, gentlemen.

Let's get going.

I'm still not saying I'm getting on an airplane.

(man) Let's play some St. Louis soccer, boys.

(overlapping shouts)

- Yes, Pee Wee, carry! - Up on your left!

Yeah!

(Dent) It was clear from the outset that the two teams had very different styles.

The East Coasters played with discipline, precision.

A finesse type of soccer.

The St. Louis team was looser, more improvisational.

Hold it down!

Gloves, get wide! Gloves, get wide!

Get in, Gloves! Get in, Gloves!

Gloves!

Come on!

Get up, Yale boy.

- I didn't go to Yale, you Neanderthal. - What's that? I never went to no college.

- All right. What do you want to do? - I'm gonna run over.

- Take. Take it! - Watch that goal!

- Go, Borghi! - Good save, good save.

(cheering)

Good business in this weather.

- Mr. Jeffrey. - Yeah?

Dent McSkimming. I cover soccer for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

You say the city's got a beat reporter for soccer?

I'm sure you're aware how important the sport is here.

That's what Walter Giesler is constantly trying to impress on me.

The Italians on The Hill have had organized soccer for more than 45 years.

I've covered the sport all over the country.

There's no place with better soccer players than St. Louis.

Then I have to disagree with you, I'm afraid.

Well, name a better goalkeeper than Frank Borghi.

You've seen Pee Wee Wallace. Nobody on that east squad can match him.

- Were we watching the same game? - Charlie Columbo.

Every team needs a Charlie Columbo.

Gino Pariani, Harry Keough, Bob Annis - they're all world-class players.

Do you have a question for me, Mr., um...

McSkimming.

I thought not.

(sighs)

Come on, lighten up. It's not like anyone died. It's just a tryout.

I know, Pee Wee. I mean, I know it's just a tryout but let's just beat these guys.

They play like a bunch of girls.

But Walter Bahr - he's tough enough, wouldn't you say?

Who asked you to chime in, Mick?

Bahr is full of himself. He's acting like he's running the whole show.

I'll try to put him on a stretcher.

Gloves, why don't you just stop your crap, OK?

Play the ball, not the man.

If you get kicked out of this game, you won't make the team. You know that?

Pee Wee. What's the matter with you?

Are you trying not to make the team?

Come on, get your head in the game.

And Gino, I want you and Pee Wee to use each other.

It's time for the two of you to do your magic. Now, come on!

All right, here we go.

(grunts)

(overlapping shouts)

(Dent) In the second half, the best players on the field asserted themselves.

Pee Wee Wallace woke up, and with Gino,

they became their usual lethal combination.

Yes!

(cheering)

But every bit of a match for them were Clarkie Souza,

Ed McIlvenny and Walter Bahr.

Push up. Let's close 'em down.

Don't let 'em play the ball! Yeah!

(whistle blows)

- Come on. - What's up?

Get him off the pitch!

Don't do it. We need him on the team.

(McIlvenny) Is this a game, or what?

- One more, he's out. - Oh, come on.

- What is goin' on here? - Send him off!

- Let's go, let's go, let's go. - (whistle blows)

(player) Clarkie, good going!

You're good... but you're not that good.

- My feet are killin' me. - Me too.

I don't like the looks of what's goin' on over there.

- You think Bahr is helpin' 'em choose? - He better not be.

They're more intimidated when they're playing against the best in the world...

Hey, Frank. You know Walter? Walter Bahr.

I was just wonderin' if this guy was helping you make the decisions.

Yes, he was offering up his opinions.

- Good. Then you mind if I do? - Yes, I do.

OK, get out of here, both of you. We'll let you know.

(♪ Big band)

(Dent) And they did let them know. The St. Louis boys

had something to celebrate in addition to Gino's wedding.

Frank, Harry, Gloves, Pee Wee and Gino made the team.

- Wait... - Let's get out of here.

Charlie! Charlie! Hey, get him off her.

Oh! (giggles)

- I'm goin'. - Put me down.

Come on...

- So close, so far. I got something for you. - For me?

- Congratulations. - Really?

Love ya, buddy.

Charlie, you too?

Wait.

- Thank you. - Let's get outta here.

Come on, everybody, please. Join us. Come on.

Congratulations on making the team.

- We're gonna get you next time. - No problem.

So I said, "All right, let's park." She gets out of the car.

(laughs)

- Pee Wee, come over here. - Hi, Mr. Abruzzo.

- Congratulations, Pee Wee. - Catch up with you later, all right?

It's pretty exciting, being selected for the team to go to Brazil.

Yeah, yeah.

Sit down a minute, Francis. Excuse us for second, huh, Fiora?

- See you later, Pee Wee. - Bye, Fiora.

Monte Cristo?

Mr. Abruzzo, thank you.

Being selected for the US team...

a great, great honor.

Yeah.

You wanna know why soccer is the world's greatest sport?

I'll tell you why. Because all you need is a ball and an open space.

You don't need fancy equipment or special fields.

You don't have to be big or strong or tall.

It's the most democratic of all sports - the people's game.

Your people's game.

And America's game of the future.

So when I congratulate you on making the US team, I wanna see a look on your face

like you've just been elected President of the United States.

Not the look I just saw.

Now get the hell out of here and let me finish my gin game.

And until you take pride in being one of the best soccer players in America,

you don't deserve this.

Fiora, come on, let's finish the game.

All aboard. Station stops -

Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Buffalo...

St. Christopher, for safe travel.

That's beautiful.

Thanks, Pop.

Now, don't you cry.

I'm gonna cry.

- I gotta go, Janet. I gotta go. See ya. - Good luck.

Look after him, OK? Look after him!

Janet... I love you.

I love you too.

(in Spanish)

- I'm gonna miss you. - I'm gonna miss you too.

- I'll be back before you know it, all right? - I know. Frank, I'm really proud of you.

- (whispers) I love you. - I love you too.

- OK, I gotta go. - OK.

(♪ "All She Wants To Do Is Rock" by Wynonie Harris)

- ♪ All she wants to do is rock - ♪ Rock

- ♪ All she wants to do is rock - ♪ Rock, rock

- ♪ All she wants to do is rock - ♪ Rock, rock

♪ Rock-'n'-roll...

- You know where you're goin'? - We're almost there.

Pee Wee, move it.

I guess the US Soccer Federation were low on funds.

This is it. This is the Broadway Hotel.

- Jesus. - (woman) Meatballs!

Whoo! Whoo-hoo!

Whoo.

- What's your problem, mack? - How do you know my name?

I don't know what the hell your name is.

- Joe. Joe Maca. - So what?

Nice. Nice.

So... Oh, you must be the Italian boys from St. Louis, right? The I-talians?

Yeah, we are.

Good. Good. Well, you know, welcome to The Plaza, boys.

Uh...

I'm hungry, though. I'm gonna get some Italian food in honor of my Italian friends.

Get a big pizza pie, manicotti... Hey, enjoy your stay, boys.

- Get outta here. - Who's that guy?

- I don't know. I have no idea. - What's goin' on?

All right.

- Nice choice, Frank. - Hey, what? Like I booked the hotel?

- It's not so bad. - It's OK.

- It's OK. - It's OK.

I know those guys. How you doin', guys?

- Hey. - Hey.

- Seem to remember you from somewhere. - You made it. The St. Louis boys. Yeah.

What's goin' on in this place?

You guys remember Clarkie Souza? He dribbled circles around you last Saturday.

- How you guys doin'? - How you doin'?

This is Ed Souza. Believe it or not, there's no relation.

- Gentlemen. - Who's runnin' this place?

Right, um... You know, I have your keys.

And there's assignments.

Gloves, what do you say we clean up, go hang out with Joe DiMaggio?

(Bahr) Oh, guys...

Tomorrow morning at nine o'clock is our practice.

The next day, we'll play a semipro team here in New York.

So if I were you guys, I'd get a good night's rest tonight.

That's pretty funny 'cause you're not me, and I'm goin' out.

Right, well, um, uh...

Practice is gonna be at least three hours.

We have about a week to put this team together.

Oh. Hey.

- Are you runnin' the show here? - I'm organizing the practices.

And when Mr. Jeffrey is gone, I'm gonna be running the practices.

- Do you have a problem with that? - As a matter of fact, I do.

Frank has run every team I've ever been on.

If he tells me to do something, I'll do it. But I ain't gonna hear it from you.

I'm with Pee Wee.

All right, I'll give Frank the list.

Besides, I don't like taking orders from a kraut.

Yeah, I'm of German descent. But first and foremost, I'm an American.

All right, guys. That's enough.

Tell me, Wallace. Are you a dago or are you an American?

- Come on, Walter, let's go. - Go to hell.

Let's go get that drink, huh?

Who's with me?

Clarkie, back post.

(indistinct shouting)

(Dent) The first game against the Brooklyn Galatians,

a mid-level semipro team, was... a mess.

The right foot didn't know what the left foot was doing.

It was clear that the two different styles

of the East Coasters and the boys from St. Louis were not meshing.

It seemed impossible in the time allowed to fix such major problems.

Come on, it's a simple game here.

Pee Wee, what are you doing? That's your man, that's your job. What are you doing?

What do you mean? We're runnin' our asses off 'cause the guy can't hold the ball.

Me and Pee Wee have played together too long for this.

That college boy can't keep the ball for more than a second and a half.

- All right, that's it. - Let's do this!

- That's game. Thank you. - Come on!

- That's enough. - Come on.

Guess that's the game, huh?

- What the hell's goin' on? - That's enough.

- What do you mean, it's over? - What's he doing, Walter? Heh?

You called it...

- That center forward has gotta go. - He's the best available.

Maybe for a Sunday game in Northampton, but we need somebody like Joe Gaetjens.

Gaetjens? Oh, no. That's not possible.

I thought this was about getting the best players to be as competitive as possible.

Walter.

We've got ten days to practice together

before we're up against teams that live and play together 365 days a year.

America isn't gonna be competitive in the World Cup for 50 years.

Our job... Our job...

is to nurture the game and to act like good ambassadors.

All I care about is that we get the best team on the field. I really need Gaetjens.

That's not going to happen.

Come on.

- What's goin' on? - We're gonna make this team better.

- You do play to win, right? - Yeah, well, I usually finish the game first.

(♪ Singing in Haitian)

Joe.

- Joe Gaetjens. - Yeah?

Walter Bahr, and this is Frank Borghi.

I know you. Yeah, you're that man. Yeah. Here for revenge?

Not right now, but we're actually gonna ask you to be on our team.

- What team is that? - The United States World Cup team.

- Is there such a team? - It's been put together pretty quickly.

That's why we need you. You can adapt to any style of play.

Yeah, but what's your style of play?

We don't actually have a style of play at the moment, but we're working on it.

I love the United States, so I'm in. When do we start?

Well, we start tomorrow morning at 6:30.

- Playing in Long Island City. - Yeah?

- (Bahr) We'll leave for Brazil in six days. - (in French) On va aller au Brésil?

One problem - my job.

Well, you'll be getting $100 a week, plus five a day for meals.

- Yeah? - Yeah.

I'm in.

Yeah? All right, Joe...

I'm in!

(♪ Singing in Haitian)

- All right, Joe. OK. - I'm in!

Nice to meet you, Joe.

Brazil!

Now that's a strange guy.

Yeah. Yeah, he is. But he's a phenomenal athlete.

I see him and Eddie Souza working up top really well.

Do you really think he's... gonna be enough to make a difference?

Frank, I need you to believe that this team is good.

I need them to believe this team is good. They listen to you.

I look at our players and I see a team that's gonna be tough to score on.

We're gonna surprise people that way, Frank.

So you think we could actually go down to Brazil and win a game?

Yes. Yes, I do.

I've never set foot on the field when I didn't think my team could win.

I bet you've never stood in front of a goal thinking the other team'd score.

I wasn't goin' up against the best teams in the world.

It's about belief. It always is.

Let me ask you a question.

Why did you want me to come with you to get this guy Joe?

You could have done that on your own.

Because I can't do this on my own.

I need your support. You've seen the way those guys are.

I need you to help me bring this team together.

You're a big one on belief.

Keep it up, keep it up.

I presume everybody here has heard the name Stanley Mortensen.

Stanley Mortensen... arguably one of the greatest players of the past 50 years.

He's currently engaged in a goodwill tour of the US and Canada with a crack team

selected from the very finest players in the English First Division.

And they have agreed to play with us tomorrow.

Stanley Mortensen's playing us tomorrow?

- Where? - Right here.

- Gino. - Yeah.

- When are we getting our uniforms? - I'm working on it.

Remember, all your passports have to be handed in by 12 noon on Wednesday.

Hm?

Flight leaves Friday night at midnight.

You will all be outside your hotels at ten o'clock.

What's he doing here?

Oh, yeah, coach...

That guy Wilfred - whatever his name is - well, he's not well.

He got sick. He had to go home. I was meaning to tell you.

- Why didn't he tell me? - All right, let's go play!

Let's go, boys.

- Frank? - Don't ask me, coach. I don't know.

Clarkie, who is that?

(Joe) Hoo!

Hey, Joe.

Are you Catholic?

No, I'm not.

But I have much respect for the faith. Much respect.

(Joe) Listen. I'm thinking if we just keep it tight on the pitch...

(Gloves) I disagree. You're thinking too much.

(overlapping chatter)

- Listen up. Hold up. - Let Walter speak.

- Guys... - Walter, go on.

They're killing us on counterattacks. It's our formation.

Everyone's pushed forward, no one's on the wings, they carve us up.

What we need is a formation. It's stability. It's good.

We put four guys in the back, four guys in the middle, you in the front with Joe.

No. You can't score with that formation.

OK, look, we need to start thinking about defenses. Defense first, then we'll score.

You don't wanna set the record for most goals against in a World Cup.

We've been playing one formation our whole lives. Changing could be a disaster.

(overlapping chatter)

OK, look. I'm just making a suggestion. It's an urgent suggestion.

If you guys want to get humiliated in Brazil, fine.

He's right. Yes, he's right.

This team plays like a big piece of crapola.

(in French) On a la balle, on joue ici, à droite à gauche,

comme des petites grenouilles mouillées.

A big turd floating to the top.

- Walter, we need this formation. - I agree with Joe.

(overlapping chatter)

Wait a minute. Wait a minute!

Borghi.

What do you think?

Why don't we use it for the first half? Hm?

If it doesn't work, we can switch back.

- That's a good idea. - That's good.

All right, that's good enough for everybody?

- Let's go. - Let's get out of here.

OK, let's stay sharp.

Ball to feet, boys, ball to feet.

Keep it sharp, keep it sharp.

To me, to me.

Over there is one of the greatest players of this century.

You'll be able to tell your grandchildren you played against Stanley Mortensen.

Not if he scores against me.

Gino.

The way I see it, he's just another player trying to make me look bad.

He's so smooth, he's so fluid. You don't even realize how fast he is until it's too late.

Come on, what you got?

Well, don't let him sell you that he's going right, because he's going left.

The problem with the English - they think just because they invented the game,

it's their God-given destiny to be better at it than everybody else.

So I take it you're still on our side, then.

(metal clanging)

Come on, lads. Together, together.

I'm right behind you. And down!

Now, knees up, lads. Come on.

Mr. Jeffrey.

- When are we gonna get our uniforms? - We're working on it.

We fly to Brazil in two days. Will they be ready by then?

I hope so.

It's hard getting other teams to take us seriously as it is.

If we're dressed like a bunch of clowns, well, we have no chance.

You know? We have no chance.

(Borghi) Huddle up!

Clarkie, you're the fastest guy we got. Stay on Mortensen all game long.

Don't let him get the ball, don't let him turn, nothing.

Do us all a favor. Wipe that smirk off his face.

Gaetjens, help him out in the midfield, OK?

Guys, this is a big pride game for everybody.

- We can do it. - (applause)

Let's do it.

Yeah!

- Come on, you guys. - Let's go.

(whistle blows)

(indistinct yelling)

(Dent) The Americans started off with their new defensive formation

and a great deal of energy.

But after holding their own in the beginning,

the ground began to give way.

Charlie!

Let's go. Let's play ball!

(Borghi) Push it off to the wing.

The English, all of whom - with the exception of Stanley Mortensen -

failed to make their country's World Cup team,

began to control the game.

They easily exposed the Americans' weaknesses.

(overlapping shouts, groans)

(cheering)

(Gloves) Pee wee! Come on, Pee Wee!

Get up. Quick, kick it.

Come on.

You wanna kick me? Huh?

Stanley Mortensen was no doubt the best player on the field.

After a time, they began to play with absolute confidence, almost disdain -

like they knew the Americans weren't going to score.

(whistle blows)

(overlapping chatter)

All right, guys. All right.

Get your heads up. You guys looked great out there.

We got 45 minutes and you guys look like you wanna go home already.

We're going to the World Cup. We're only down two-nothing.

What's the matter with you?

Defense, defense, defense. If we can't score, we can't win.

I like that. At least he's talking about winning. Let's win.

I don't care what he likes.

The goalkeeper didn't make a single save in the first half. He's laughing at us.

He is.

It starts with defense. if we get the ball, we stop them from the back.

We don't let them score. Then we attack, then we win.

Gentlemen, you're doing well.

Now remember, luncheon is at the Waldorf-Astoria at 12 noon tomorrow.

Jacket and tie.

Both FIFA and US Soccer Federation officials will be present, as will all of you.

Anyone who does not attend will be off the team.

There will be no excuses and no exceptions.

Right.

Well done. Carry on what you're doing.

(whistle blows)

(indistinct yelling)

Good game, Borghi.

(Dent) The Americans went back to their old formation to prevent further scoring.

But it didn't work. They couldn't seem to get a grip on any aspect of the game.

(whistle blows)

(grunts)

(indistinct yelling)

(whistle blows)

What are you gonna do about that?

Huh? Huh?

(whistle blows)

(indistinct yelling)

(whistle blowing)

(Pee Wee) Just pick a side, Borghi.

(whistle blows)

(whistle blows)

Nice one.

You slipped, Frank. Don't worry about it. It's OK.

(whistle blowing)

(grunts)

(beeping)

It's a long walk back to the hotel, Frank.

I was terrible. There's no way they should have scored that many against me.

It was about team breakdowns...

No, not the team. This is my goal. It's my responsibility. I'm the last line of defense.

When they score, they score against me. I have to pick it out of the back of the net.

They made it look easy tonight.

And not one of their players is good enough

to make the England team we play in a week.

(Mr. Jeffrey) Gentlemen.

We are grateful that you honor us with your presence today.

You have given greatly of yourselves, touring the North American continent,

demonstrating the great English tradition of football.

England, as we all know,

is where our great game was conceived.

There it incubated, there it developed.

There's not one lad on our side...

- What'd he say? - Who cares?

...did not feel himself honored to be standing with you on the pitch yesterday.

(scoffs)

I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Hey, guys. I think our coach wants to go home with the Brits.

- You know what? They can have him. - They can have him.

Pee Wee, keep it down, could you?

They can have you too. Two for the price of one.

And... from the bottom of my heart, there also comes a few other words of thanks...

Open that up.

Frank, just make sure he's on the plane tomorrow night.

Thing is, I don't think booze is gonna be enough.

We're gonna have to knock him out somehow.

- (Mr. Jeffrey continues) - (applause)

Hey. Where's this from?

Joe. Joe.

Voodoo boy, someone's talking to you.

- Can you get us a Mickey? - Mickey?

Yeah.

Yeah, I can pick one up from the guy that's doing my passport.

- What do you mean? - Yeah, you said I needed one, right?

- Don't you already have one? - No.

- Aren't you naturalized? - No, I'm here on a student visa.

- Learning to be a dishwasher? - (chuckling)

No, a degree in accounting.

- But you could've been naturalized? - Yeah, but...

That's good enough for me and everybody else too, yeah?

And now, a few words from a truly remarkable man.

A man from South Shields, who last year,

in the FA Cup Final, scored three goals.

A great player, a great man, a hero of our time -

Mr. Stanley Mortensen.

Stanley.

The challenge of victory is close to all our hearts.

It is, after all, why we all are here.

And these international competitions,

they show us more about our similarities than our differences -

the need to win at all costs and the strength of purpose to pursue those dreams.

See, we have no fascination with baseball, for example. We come from cricket.

It suits our national character better.

As with your football,

whose singular aim seems to be to simply slug the ball forward,

our football suits our temperaments as well.

It's a sport of intellectual as well as athletic ability.

A sport where strategy, outwitting and outthinking your opponents,

is as important as outrunning or outstriking them.

Soccer, as you call it, is in its infancy here in America.

It will take you years to reach the level of other countries

where football is a matter of life and death to them.

But... I say to the American team...

the best of luck.

And after England takes you all to soccer school,

have a good holiday - or as you say here, vacation - in Brazil.

Cheers.

Cheers.

Charlie, Charlie. Hey.

(applause)

Did that guy just say "vacation"?

He's about this tall...

- Any luck? - We know nothing.

Well, he ain't out the back. Gloves, get off the phone.

- Did you find him anywhere? - No-show.

Frankie, Frankie, Frankie.

- I got him. He's up on the roof. - I'll go get him. You grab your stuff.

- OK. Bus leaves in 15 minutes. - Gotcha.

- Will you stick my stuff on the bus? - Yeah.

Gloves, make sure that bus doesn't leave without us.

We have guards at all exits.

Escape is not a possibility.

So, Joe Maca hanging out in that alley is all about me not flying the coop?

Yeah, I guess we know you too well.

You know...

the closer we get, the more it don't make any sense.

Why do I have to go through this just to go and have a bunch of Brits pound on us?

Frank, what's the point?

Here, this will help you relax.

No, I'm too sick to my stomach to drink anything.

- Have a drink, Pee Wee. - Really, I'm not thirsty.

Take a drink - now.

Did you put something in here, Frank?

You know, it's a little voodoo thing.

Oh.

Well, why didn't you just say so?

Would you like some coffee?

Thanks.

Would you like some coffee?

- Uniform... - Eh?

(♪ Singing in Haitian)

What are you doing, Joe?

I'm in concert with my spirit guide.

Voodoo stuff.

Why is it that what I do bothers you?

It bothers me 'cause it's sacrilegious.

"Sacrilegious" means doing something that diminishes or mocks religion.

What I'm doing is just the opposite.

I don't see that, Joe. I... I don't believe that.

Why can't you respect my beliefs?

They're very real to me and millions - millions - of my countrymen.

It is our conscious way of understanding the unseen -

powerful forces that guide our lives.

I feel very connected to my world when I'm in touch with those forces.

What you mean by "sacrilegious"

is an observance that is not part of what you believe.

We're all here together because we're good at a game we love. And you know what?

Whoever or whatever helps the ball to get in the back of the net,

it doesn't really matter to me.

(PA) Ladies and gentlemen, this is Capitán DeSilva.

We are moving into turbulence. Please keep your seatbelts fastened.

We hope we'll pass through this in about 30 minutes. Thank you.

(in Portuguese) Habla el capitán. Estamos entrando un área de turbulencias.

Mantengan sus cinturones abrochados.

Esperamos pasarpor esto dentro de unos 30 minutos. Gracias.

(thunderclap)

(passengers screaming)

(laughing)

Where-where are we?

We're on the big dipper, at the fairground.

Yeah, it's great.

- I like the fairground. - Yeah.

(♪ Brazilian music)

(car horn beeping)

Is this our hotel here? This is brilliant.

Whoa! (wolf whistles)

Oh!

We got the booking odds.

England, favorites, three to one. Brazil, four to one.

Italy, six to one. Spain, eight to one.

The only team that's not even listed is us, the US.

Like we don't exist, right?

How can anybody even bet on us?

They have odds on every first-round match,

except the game we play with England. That's off the boards.

It's about respect, men. Pride and respect.

(British accent) Horsepoppy, it is! Horsepoppy!

Gentlemen, I apologize.

We lost track of you somewhere.

I also want to apologize for not being with you in New York.

I had preparations to take care of.

There's no need for apologies. At least you're putting us up in classy hotels.

I apologize for that too, Charlie.

- What about the uniforms? - That is being taken care of, I assure you.

You've been assuring us for weeks. We're running out of time.

Mr. Pariani, it is the skill of the player, not his sartorial splendor, that matters.

All right. Tomorrow, Tuesday, we practice.

We'll find a field for us... somewhere. We're just waiting to get clearance.

Our first game against England will not be held in a main stadium in Rio.

Instead, we'll be in a town about 300 miles northwest of here called Belo Horizonte.

There is a US squadron based in Recife

that's going to arrange to fly us up there in a Brazilian transport plane.

- Where the hell's that? - What a surprise.

(Pee Wee) You know, who cares?

We're here in Rio and I, for one, am planning on having a good time.

Who's up for going out tonight?

You don't know how to have a good time.

Pee Wee's bus leaves in five minutes.

Walter, we have that meeting tonight.

Yeah.

You know what?

We're going out tonight.

Yeah, all of us, then.

We stick together as a team.

(♪ Brazilian music)

He said, "Hold on a second, is this Murray Hill 5600?"

- That's beautiful. - Mm. Yeah.

You know, there's a lot in common between samba or tango and football.

Like what, Joe?

Football is pretty much a group of guys dancing together on a field. And the way...

Guys, guys, guys.

Joe... Joe...

What did you say?

What I'm saying is, there's a lot in common between football and dancing.

I mean, football is pretty much a bunch of guys dancing together on a field.

It is the rhythm in the game, you know?

The way we move with the changes, you know?

We improvise. We go with the flow.

And when the chemistry is there with each other, we can create magic on the field.

You think we should go against the English team on the field and do the cha-cha?

(laughter)

So if I'm not a good dancer, I'm not a good soccer player?

'Cause I'm not a good dancer.

(laughter)

Well, here's to the cha-cha life.

Hey, look at that!

That is magic, Joe.

Well done.

Gentlemen, welcome to Rio de Janeiro Air Force base. I'm Lieutenant Austin.

If you'd just step outside.

We're here to take a transport plane to Belo Horizonte.

Yes, I'm aware of that, sir. But if I can first get you to follow me.

- (Pee Wee) What's goin' on? - I don't know. Come on.

Come on, let's go.

Gentlemen, may I introduce General William Higgins?

General Higgins, I give you the United States World Cup soccer team.

Welcome, gentlemen.

I should first tell you that today our president and commander in chief

has ordered several of our units from across the Pacific

to what unfortunately looks like a conflict in Korea.

Gentlemen, never is wearing the red, white and blue more important

than when our nation is at war.

I am confident that you will represent our great country with valor

and exemplify the very best of our warrior spirit.

But win or lose - though I expect to win -

we will all be very proud of you and your effort tomorrow.

Only one piece of advice. My father used to say:

"Leave it all out there on the field."

At the behest of the US Soccer Federation president, Walter Giesler,

and your coach, William Jeffrey...

I would like to present the team

with something they will most definitely need tomorrow.

I understand the first recipient

is someone who was a little worried about this particular item.

From St. Louis, Missouri -

Gino Pariani, come on up here.

- Thank you. - You're most welcome, Mr. Pariani.

Navy Seaman First Class, Walter Bahr.

Thank you, sir.

Navy Seaman First Class, Harry Keough.

Coast Guard Seaman First Class, Charles Columbo.

From New York City, Joseph Gaetjens.

From New York City, Joseph Maca.

Army Sergeant John Souza, Fall River, Massachusetts.

From Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Ed McIlvenny.

Awarded Bronze Star and Distinguished Service Medal,

Army Sergeant Francis Wallace.

- Well done, Sergeant. - Thank you, sir.

Awarded two Purple Hearts and two Bronze Stars,

Army Staff Sergeant Frank Borghi.

Thank you all for your great service to our country.

- Let's hear it for our team. - (cheering)

Matthews isn't playing today.

He decided to rest in Rio for the next match.

- He's taking a holiday? - I guess so.

(clears throat) Bentley and Finney are gonna be getting the ball more.

Bentley's tall and strong in the air - watch him on the corners and the set plays.

So Finney, good with the ball. He's gonna be feeding Mortensen all day.

- I'll take care of him. - Good, Gloves.

We have to be patient. We have to be strong in the back. We have to win the ball.

- Gino, Clarkie, you gotta be available. - I'm ready.

- Pee Wee, I need you... - You want me to shut down the right side.

- Right. - You got it.

Frank, you got anything to say?

I was just thinkin'.

You know there's not a single person in those stands who knows who we are?

Most people don't even think we belong here.

But we are here.

And we're about to go out there and play the best team in the world.

No one expects anything from us in this game - not a thing.

But I think, deep down,

we all know we're worth just a little bit more than that.

Not many people will ever get the chance that we're getting today.

So let's just make sure of one thing -

that after 90 minutes, they know who we are.

All right?

- (all) All right. - Let's get on the field.

- Good game out there. - Thanks, Pee Wee.

We welcome visitors for this big game, England versus the United States.

A big crowd has come today as the teams take the field.

Wearing rather unfamiliar dark-blue shirts...

(Dent) The Americans were in front of more spectators

than they had ever seen before -

38,000 rabid Brazilian fans.

I hoped the Americans could walk off at the end of the game with their pride intact.

(commentator) What is going on in the minds of the unknown Americans?

Up against the biggest names in football,

that forward line feared wherever the game is played.

- Let's have fair play, OK? - Sure.

OK?

Best of luck. Best of luck.

And England defending the goal to my right.

Or attacking the goal to my left, because that's where we're anticipating the action.

Listen, let's have a contest out there, and not another war.

But if this was a war, you'd already be dead.

That's a very brave thing to say.

I meant it.

- Are you ready? - I'm ready.

And what kind of magic will England come up with in the next 90 minutes?

They kick off now, the ball played back to Stanley Mortensen of Blackpool.

Stands on the ball in that arrogant manner, Gaetjens comes in,

Mortensen square to right, right now square to Tom Finney.

England down the right side of the field, stretching, proving the US defense.

Switch to the England left, with Mannion.

Mannion skips past his marker, ball comes across, good ball for Bentley.

Bentley. Shot from Bentley. Saved by Frank Borghi!

Barely a minute gone in the game and nearly first blood for England.

Here come England once more with Tom Finney down the right, shot off the post!

Rocket from Mortensen.

Hit the crossbar!

Frank Borghi, taking on the mighty England all on his own.

What a performance as he takes this goal kick

long down the field here in Belo Horizonte.

Still nil-nil. England would've expected to have opened the scoring by now.

Crude challenge comes in from Columbo, easily avoided.

Here's Wallace now, charging down the right flank...

Pee Wee, come on, come on, come on!

Aston comes across with a tackle.

England on the attack. Finney finds Mannion. Shot comes in from Mannion!

Great save by Borghi, diving into the net, right behind the ball.

What a game he's having. What an inspirational figure.

His teammates are starting to draw strength from his example.

There's more aggression in their tackling.

Great tackle from Keough. The ball falls to big, powerful Gaetjens.

Turns, shoots... high, wide.

Not very handsome, but it's given the crowd something to cheer about.

Ball down the halfway line with Dickinson.

A foul from Dickinson. The crowd don't like it.

The American players don't like it. Columbo going across to the referee.

I wonder if the Americans might lose concentration.

They seem to have. Finney has gone behind them!

Finney to the byline, cross comes in, header from Bentley - saved!

We need to attack now! We need to attack!

Hey. if you keep playing Bentley and not the ball, he'll own your jock.

Nobody owns my jock!

Borghi kicks long for the US, England head the ball forward,

building an attack down the right, still trying to get goals.

Finney on the ball - a chance for England! Mortensen now kicks, shot comes in,

wide on the far post.

Mortensen can hardly believe it.

Still, the floodgates yet to open. Still nil-nil.

But here come England once more like a blue tidal wave.

It's Mortensen again - turns, shoots. Terrific save from Frank Borghi!

Rolls the ball down to McIlvenny.

McIlvenny down the line, looking for Eddie Souza.

(whistle blows)

McIlvenny is coming to take a throw for the US.

The US have rarely been in the England half.

This is a chance for them to establish some control.

Plenty of forward movement for them, as control is taken to the captain, Walter Bahr.

Shot comes in on the turn for Gaetjens.

- Yes! It's in! - (cheering)

The United States have taken the lead!

Yeah! (laughs)

A hopeful shot by Bahr.

A shot for Walter Bahr, and Gaetjens, with a diving header...

(commentating in foreign language)

The England players are trying to work out what went wrong.

The American players are jumping all on top of one another.

Hold on to your hat. We just woke 'em up. Looks like all hell's gonna break loose.

The stadium has erupted. It's no wonder. With eight minutes to go till halftime,

it's England, nil, United States, one.

Surely now England will be stung into a reaction. Here they come.

Mortensen with a hitter, Mullen, shot saved.

Good ball for Mortensen, header, saved again by Borghi.

And Mortensen, so many goals for Blackpool last season,

can't get one for England when needed.

England will have to wait till the second half to find a way past Borghi.

Great work. 45 minutes more.

That's what I'm talking about. Keep up the pressure. Make me proud.

(overlapping chatter)

A moment of your time, lads.

- Team! Hey, hey! - Listen up.

You can imagine what their coach is saying to them in their room right now.

You have tweaked the lion's tail, and he's gonna be as mad as hell.

Now, in this second half, they're gonna come at you like a hammer.

In the end, this game will be decided by two things -

character... and stamina.

In the first half, you showed them that you have the character.

In this second half, you will show them that you have the stamina.

Great game, boys. Enjoy.

45 minutes remain for England to change the course of this game.

The oranges must have had a bitter taste in England's dressing room.

Here come England on the attack with a cross from Finney,

looking for Laurie Hughes.

Crowded out by the American defense. And it's a goal kick taken by Frank Borghi.

(Dent) It was clear the Americans came out on that field in the second half

believing they could win.

The British knew their fans would be disappointed

if they didn't come back with the World Cup.

But to lose to the Americans would have been unthinkable.

Even Alf Ramsey with a wild challenge.

England perhaps panicked by the prospect of this defeat.

But here's Mannion now for England. Cuts two Americans in two.

A terrific dribble from Mannion, across to Bentley...

Hits the post again!

And Frank Borghi now organizing this American defense.

He's still holding England off, still keeping this blue tide at bay.

Heroic work from those defenders in front of him.

But back come England with a back heel from Mannion, shot from Finney...

They'll have to do better than that to beat Frank Borghi.

Here come England again with John Aston now of Manchester United.

Cross comes in from Aston, headed away once more by the American defense.

More frustration for England's forward line.

The ball is clear. It's a temporary reprieve, because a cross comes in from Mannion.

Out comes Borghi. Charged by Mortensen. The Americans are incensed.

Columbo pushes Mortensen to the ground.

And tempers very frayed at this vital moment in the match.

Americans channeling aggression towards their football.

Still they hold off with time ticking away. One-nil to the United States.

The score line no one could have predicted.

The Americans are looking for a second. Gaetjens to Wallace.

Wallace advances. Back to Gaetjens, so strong, with his back to goal.

Into the open space...

Take the shot, man! Take the shot!

Shot comes in from Souza, into the safe hands of Bert Williams.

But back come the United States once more, this time with Pariani.

Down the left, Gino Pariani. Laurie Hughes of Liverpool.

He twists, he turns, he fakes, he goes on the outside.

In comes Hughes, snaps in with a tackle. Corner to the United States.

Forward now for the Americans, waiting for this corner.

Here it comes now, looking for Gaetjens.

Eddie Souza on the far post heads over. Might have been easier to score.

England, so nearly two goals down, here they come.

Mannion with a cross. Meat and drink, that, for Frank Borghi.

Tired legs out there in the American team. It's been a plucky performance from them.

Can they keep it up? England hoping the US will crack, still looking for an equaliser.

Mortensen. A shot from Mortensen. Butts against the woodwork!

The Americans too tired to move. Bentley running over the bar.

The Americans, it's as much as some of them can do

to put one foot in front of the other.

Desperate to hear the final whistle, but there's more defending to do.

Here come England, building for the attack. Borghi organizing the defense.

Now the cross coming in from the England left, square to Finney.

Finney with a shot charged down, across comes Columbo to clear the danger.

England have lions on their shirts but the Americans have fought like lions.

Finney on the charge, twists on the edge of the area.

Crunching tackle by Charlie Columbo. He's a feisty character.

He looks like he wants to take on the empire. He's holding his own.

England win a corner on the far side of the field.

Mullen has gone across to take it, left-footed.

Here comes the corner now from England.

Saved by Frank Borghi. 32 minutes into the second half.

Here come England with Mannion, running now with Alf Ramsey.

Right back to Mannion. A terrific pass from Mannion.

Mortensen's in place, it must be a goal, shot comes in... What a save!

Great save, laddie!

The Americans rush to congratulate their hero,

and Frank Borghi has brought the crowd to their feet!

Shot from Mannion, right behind is Frank Borghi.

England wonders if they'll ever find a way past this immaculate goalkeeper.

They might now - they're in space with Aston. Cross comes from Aston,

Bentley with a volley, hits the top of the crossbar!

And England running out of time. The referee has checked his watch.

The seconds are an eternity to America. They're passing quickly for England.

It's Mortensen now down the left - a tired cross, easily caught by Borghi.

And desperation all across the face of the legend.

Everyone forward for England. Only Williams left in the England half.

Anticipating a cross from Finney,

Hughes is in there, Wright's in there, Mannion's in there.

Cross from Finney, could be the last chance for England.

Good ball for Mortensen, the shot...

- (grunts) - (whistle blows)

And the referee's whistle has gone... for the end of the match!

- Yeah! - Yeah!

Yeah! Yeah!

(Dent) And suddenly, it was over.

Something I thought could never happen.

I kept wondering, who would believe it in England or in America?

(commentator) if I hadn't seen it, I wouldn't believe it.

The country that gave the game of football to the world

has been given the biggest shock in the history of world football.

(Dent) It was hard to keep my reporter's hat on.

I wanted to run on the field with the rest of the Brazilians.

It was simply the greatest effort

put forward by any team in any sport I have ever seen.

(man over PA) It is our honor to introduce members of the 1950 US soccer team,

who participated in the greatest upset in World Cup history

when they beat England one-zero.

- Standing in midfield are Gino Pariani. - (cheering)

- John "Clarkie" Souza. - (cheering)

- Harry Keough. - (cheering)

- Walter Bahr. - (cheering)

- And Frank Borghi. - (cheering)