At the time, the United States' victory over Colombia in June 1994 was regarded as the moment when "saa-ccer" gained genuine impetus.
USA - 3 Portugal - 2
If the notion looked shaky in France 98, when the US crashed out of the tournament with the worst record of all the 32 competitors, yesterday it was borne out in the country's greatest giantkilling feat since the famous defeat of England in 1950.
By deservedly beating Portugal in another of the more noteworthy upsets in the tournament's history, the US confirmed take-off has finally been followed by landing.
Significantly the US team included two players who were only 12 when Andres Escobar scored the own-goal in Pasadena that sealed his own fate - he was shot dead soon afterwards as punishment for making the mistake - and that of Colombia.
DaMarcus Beasley and the equally exotically named Landon Donovan are products of the professional league that began in the United States in 1996. It showed that the nation is capable of not only producing but honing talent within its own shores.
Six of their starting XI are with Major League soccer clubs.
Three goals inside 36 minutes, helped by shambolic Portugal defending, and success in seeing off second-half pressure meant their association with failure is finished.
Tactically the US got their approach spot on. They pressed Portugal into errors in possession, provided a physical approach which Antonio Oliveira's players disliked and chose to attack a weak, slow Portugal defence rather than sitting back.
Portugal are now in danger of a humiliating exit. "We now have only one option: to win our next two matches," said Oliveira. First come Poland, then a tricky fixture against South Korea.
In Beasley and Donovan the US had players who could trouble Portugal with their pace. The impressive striker Brian McBride also caused trouble with his movement and speed.
Portugal were shaken by conceding a goal inside four minutes and, before long, the game was beyond them at 3-0 and it could have been five. Although they pulled back two goals they were far from impressive and created few chances.
Fernando Couto and Jorge Costa struggled at centre-back, the goalkeeper Vitor Baia was shaky and Luis Figo never looked likely to lift his team-mates. It is tempting to think he is still suffering the effects of an ankle injury sustained in February but he said afterwards he was free of pain.
Portugal's agony began when Baia saved McBride's header from an Earnie Stewart free-kick and Ajax's John O'Brien pounced. An ill-judged Rui Jorge pass culminated in a bizarre second, Rui Costa being dispossessed before Donovan's cross struck Jorge Costa on the head and went in at the near post.
When McBride met Anthony Sanneh's cross to make it 3-0 a Portuguese response seemed inevitable. Figo's corner ended with Beto scoring but the second-half onslaught was less fierce than expected and the disappointing Pauleta missed a chance before his cross was spectacularly volleyed by Jeff Agoos into his own net.
SUBSTITUTES
United States: Jones for Stewart (half time), Moore for Donovan (75 mins), Llamosa for Pope (80).
Portugal: Bento for Jorge (69), Andrada for J Costa (74), Gomes for R Costa (80).
YELLOW CARDS
United States: Beasley
Portugal: Beto, Petit
