SA 50th Anniversary: The Bob Gansler Chapters
- by Mike Woitalla @MikeWoitalla, Jan 14, 2021
Before succeeding to deliver the USA to its first World Cup in 40 years -- Italia '90 -- Gansler's team at the 1989 U-20 World Cup earned fourth place, still the best U.S. U-20 finish.
The USA was the youngest team at the 1990 World Cup with an average age of 23.6 years -- and exited in the first round with losses to Czechoslovakia (5-1), host Italy (1-0) and Austria (2-1). Seven members of the roster -- Tony Meola, John Harkes, Eric Wynalda, Marcelo Balboa, Kasey Keller and Paul Caligiuri -- played in future World Cups.
Gansler guided Kansas City, which he coached through 2006, to the 2000 MLS title.
(The article below can be accessed HERE.)
1991: U.S. women begin their journey to world power
1977: Pele playing for Team America, Walt Chyzowych and Hartwick's title
Early 1970s: Goalkeeper Bruce Arena, fathers of future stars, Clive Toye, Joe Morrone, et al.
1971: Year 1 included names that reappeared often long after
1991: Bora guides USA to historic tournament performance
1990: USA's World Cup return finished off by Italy and Austria
1990: Paul Gardner on the Nomads, Dallas Cup and George Donnelly; Gus Martins on Jimmy Banks
1980: Johan Cruyff, Franz Beckenbauer, George Best, Americans in the NASL, and women's soccer
1990: The USA's 1990 World Cup opener 'Baptism of Fire'
So cool to see these old issues of Soccer America and the history S.A. recorded!
Both Gansler and Osiander were amazing as coaches and coaciing instructors. Gansler's standard for an outside defender was the ability to make a 50-meter cross-field pass for a sprinting winger to take on first touch in full stride.
James, I hope that Gansler was able to demonstrate properly how this 50 meter pass to a sprinting winger was done. It is always nice to have a coach to be able to demonstrate when teaching for that is the best way for youth to learn by watching the finer points.....