Wisconsin Soccer Central

Nov. 19, 1989: The U.S. national team, coached by Milwaukee's Bob Gansler, beat Trinidad and Tobago 1-0 in Port of Spain, Trinidad, to qualify for the 1990 World Cup in Italy – the Americans' first World Cup berth in 40 years. Paul Caligiuri scored in the 30th minute and Tony Meola posted the clean sheet in what proved to be a pivotal moment in U.S. soccer history – the Americans have qualified for every World Cup since. Defender Jimmy Banks (Milwaukee Custer/UW-Milwaukee) was on the bench for the U.S. side in the historic match. Watch ESPN's highlights from the match, which wasn't even televised live in the U.S.