PASADENA, Calif. – The Rose Bowl is best known as the home of the college football classic lovingly described as “the Granddaddy of them all” but the historic Pasadena venue has also been host to many massive soccer matches in its 93-year history
On Saturday, the Rose Bowl will serve as the setting for another epic contest when the United States faces Mexico in the CONCACAF Cup with a berth in the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup on the line. More than 90,000 will fill the bowl to witness the next edition of North America’s most bitter rivalry.
In honor of this weekend's CONCACAF Cup, LA Galaxy Insider Adam Serrano looks at five of the biggest games to be played at the Rose Bowl.
5) INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONS CUP: FC BARCELONA 2, LA GALAXY 1; JULY 17, 2015
The Rose Bowl has played host to many international exhibitions over the years, but the LA Galaxy’s clash with FC Barcelona in 2015 was quite literally the biggest one.
A record 93,226 fans were in attendance for the International Champions Cup match that pitted the MLS Cup champions against the Spanish giants. The crowd was the largest ever to witness a game involving an MLS team breaking the record set when the Galaxy hosted FC Barcelona at the same venue in 2009. In fact, the top four highest attendances at MLS club attendances were Galaxy friendlies at the Rose Bowl.
Those in attendance saw a fascinating match as Luis Suarez and Sergio Roberto scored for the European champions. The Galaxy pulled a goal back in stoppage time when Tommy Meyer headed a Mika Vayrynen corner into the back of the net sending the capacity crowd into bedlam.
4) 2011 CONCACAF GOLD CUP FINAL: MEXICO 4, UNITED STATES 2; JUNE 25, 2011
Perhaps the most famous edition of the U.S./Mexico rivalry to ever take place on North American soil happened at the Rose Bowl.
Mexico lifted the CONCACAF Gold Cup for a seventh time in their history when they defeated the United States in dramatic fashion, 4-2. The 93,420 on hand were treated to an incredible match as the USMNT jumped out to an early lead thanks to goals by Michael Bradley and Landon Donovan as well as a remarkable performance by Freddy Adu in midfield. Mexico roared back, however, as Pablo Barrera notched two goals while Andres Guardado and Giovani dos Santos each added one of their own to seal the victory.
Dos Santos’ remarkable goal that saw him dribble past a sprawling Tim Howard and chip into the back of the net was nominated for FIFA’s Puskas Award as one of the world’s finest goals of 2011. The defeat had wide-ranging consequences for the United States as head coach Bob Bradley was removed from his position and replaced by current USMNT boss Jurgen Klinsmann.
3) LOS ANGELES MLS OPENER: LOS ANGELES GALAXY 2, NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY METROSTARS 1; APRIL 13, 1996
The LA Galaxy make their home at StubHub Center, but the club's original spiritual home will always be the Rose Bowl.
The Galaxy played their first game in April 1996 defeating the New York/New Jersey MetroStars, 2-1 before 69,225 at the Rose Bowl. Cobi Jones scored the club’s first competitive goal while Arash Noamouz added a second soon later. Giovanni Savarese tallied late for the MetroStars scoring his club’s first-ever goal.
The Rose Bowl served as the Galaxy’s home for seven years until 2003 when the club moved to the South Bay venue.
2) 1994 WORLD CUP FINAL: BRAZIL 0, ITALY 0 (BRAZIL WINS 3-2 ON PENALTIES); JULY 17, 1994
Ten years after losing the 1984 Olympics Gold Medal Game to France at the Rose Bowl, Brazil finally had their chance to celebrate in Pasadena by lifting the world’s biggest prize.
Brazil won their fourth World Cup title by defeating Italy 3-2 in a penalty kick shootout after the match went scoreless over a cagey 120 minutes. The match was the first World Cup final to be decided by a penalty kick shootout. Dunga buried the decisive penalty for Seleção while Italian soccer legend Roberto Baggio famously launched his effort well over the net to give the Brazilians the trophy.
The final was one of eight World Cup matches held at the Rose Bowl during the tournament.
1) 1999 FIFA WOMEN'S WORLD CUP FINAL: USA 0, CHINA 0 (USA DEFEAT CHINA 5-4 ON PENALTIES); JULY 10, 1999
The United States Women's National Team enjoyed their most iconic victory on the pitch perfect green fields of the Rose Bowl.
The USWNT defeated China 5-4 in a penalty kick shootout after a scoreless draw over 120 minutes. Brandi Chastain became a legend when she converted the winning penalty and ripped off her jersey in celebration.
The victory ignited support for the "Class of '99" who became instant celebrities who transcended the sport.
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at www.LAGalaxy.com/Insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com
