Football Daily - Remember When... We Went To USA '94

Episode Date: June 7, 2026

The last time the World Cup was on North American soil in 1994, many football fans were sceptical. But it planted the seed of America’s soccer culture today, and it has lived long in the memory of two nations in particular. Rick Edwards is joined by Brazil fan Edson and two Ireland fans - Rodney and Phelim - who all travelled to the United States. They describe a sometimes underwhelming atmosphere gripped by the stifling heat, but punctuated with unforgettable moments for their teams.02:20 - Expectations of the US 1994 World Cup 05:00 - The lack of a ‘soccer culture’ 8:10 - Edson growing up watching Brazil 10:07 - Ireland coming up against Roberto Baggio’s Italy 16:35 - The excruciating heat 18:40 - John Aldridge’s famous outburst 20:40 - Why things ended in disappointment for the Irish 22:50 - An unconventional Brazil team 25:20 - Brazil vs Netherlands 27:10 - Phelim and Rodney causing chaos in Fort Lauderdale 29:15 - Brazil and Ireland welcomed home 32:30 - The significance of the 1994 World Cup for both nations

This BBC podcast is supported by ads outside the UK. Step inside the Ranger Rover sport and experience refinement in every detail. With features like cabin air purification and active noise cancellation, every drive feels composed and considered. Explore more atrangerover.ca. Hello and welcome to Remember When, the show that brings together football fans to talk about the seismic moments that shape their team's history and had a massive impact on their own lives as well.

We're here to talk about the stories, the memories, the moments that United us as football fans, wherever we're from and whoever we support. I'm Rick Edwards, and today we're going back to the last time the World Cup was on North American soil in 1994. What do you know about the World Cup? About the what? The World Cup? World Cup, that's the soccer? Yes.

I'm sorry, I don't know anything about it. When you're out in the desert, all you think about is the heat. When FIFA awarded the World Cup to the United States of America, many were skeptical. Americans still saw soccer as a minor sport. Oh, I don't know anything. If it's too low scoring a game, it's too boring for American audiences. Soccer, as in like English football? Right.

It's very good. Gotta go. 32 years later, this tournament is remembered as a bit of an awakening, the four weeks that kick-started America's soccer culture. And going into this World Cup in 2026, things look very different. I think they're capable of winning us. Oh, yes, yes. That's why we're here.

We've gave up the drink for the last three months, so our first point now will be in New York. The summer of 1994 was also particularly important for two nations at the tournament. Ireland, competing in their second ever World Cup, and Brazil, who was searching for an elusive fourth World Cup triumph after 24 years without one. Today we're going to relive that remarkable summer of football

in the company of three fans who were there, because this is Remember When, we went to. USA 94. Soccer is fun. I know anything about the World Cup. Okay, let's introduce the three football fans that are joining me today. We've got Brazil fan, Edson. Hello.

And our two Ireland fans, Rodney. How are you? Very well, thank you. And Phelip. Delight to be here. And you're all here because you went to the 1994 World Cup, first ever World Cup in the U.S. Edson, I start with you.

What were your expectations, if you had any, of the U.S., and what this tournament would be like before you arrived? I was excited to go to the United States, my first time in the United States. Second, to watch Brazil, support in Brazil in the World Cup. I was over the moon. Brazil hasn't done much since 1970. And that World Cup, first time in America, it would be very, very, very important. It occurred to me actually that it's quite for a Brazilian sports fan,

it's quite an emotional time that year anyway, because Senna had died like a couple of months before, who was the national sporting icon, or certainly one of them. So I guess it was quite, yeah, sort of emotionally loaded for Brazilian fans. Well, I was losing, not losing interest, because this is now a bloodlet, a bit football,

but because the Brazilian never since 9-17 hasn't got too close to the finals, this man starts winning racing, and he became, he filled the gap for the audience, which is missing. It is, it is a lady, comment, one of the best commenters says,

well, he died, is the only thing we had hope for, every weekend watch a Eeyotong win a race. Because he was quite emotional the way he did. He would come out with a flag, a Brazilian flag. So let's say football was dying. In 1994, it was brought Brazil back. Brazilian football needed it.

And Rodney Phelian, you came out in a big group, didn't you? I think 50 of you. Yeah, about 50. What was the anticipation like for you guys? First of all, Ireland's second ever? World Cup. And then secondly, the venue,

the location for it, which was, you know, at the time, I think it was controversial. Yeah. We were sort of actually on a bit of a high

because we were at the World Cup in 1990 in Italy and that was a superb. Now we're talking about experience of football strips. This was, we were really looking forward to the United States.

Many of us had been there. I worked in the United States and I've checked the statute of limitations or was illegal. while I was in college in Dublin I used to go over for the summers and work with my uncle construction sites so we had most of the guys had been around

but you're right but you were saying thought I wasn't big over there like we couldn't get a game like we had to have pick up matches with British guys Irish guys and South Americans in the parks there was no there was

didn't they be like even at a local level there was no nothing you could go and watch but I mean the attendance figures for that tournament a massive. It's like three and a half million people went, which I think is maybe still a record. And that's more probably about the size of the stadiums. But I wonder if you guys noticed anything

about the kind of demographic makeup of the fans. I'm kind of interested by who was there, apart from the hardcore. Who was filling those stadiums? Well, there was, there had been a recession in the 80s, so a lot of Irish people had emigrated to the major cities like Boston, New York,

and in their case. as well around New Jersey. We still had people we knew, maybe relations, whatever. But they everyone turned up. And then, of course, probably forgot to mention this. The whole OJ Simpson thing was going on.

During the World Cup. Of course it was. Yeah. So we were going... The day we arrived in Manhattan, he was getting chased and it was all on the screens all over the barren.

That way, in the Bronco. Yeah. Yeah, in the Bronco, yeah. That was the day we arrived in Manhattan. We were going, the guy from the police academy. Yeah. Well, police squad.

Police squad. No, I think people more knew him outside of America for being in police squad and made a young. Exactly, yeah. Who were you watching, because you went to one live game, Edson. Who were you watching the other games with? Did you find, like, a community of people to watch with? Sometimes I find, I didn't have many people with me to watch the match.

Brazil at that time, economically, it was very bad. I think bad, in other words, but economically, I don't think the Brazilians who went to World Cup from Brazil, it was kind of upper-class Brazilians. I know a story

about the family of this family which was the Gherkin here, the Safra family, all their family went together, almost in a private jack to Brazil to America towards the match. It was not like the day. It wasn't for everyone.

It was not for everyone. And it was difficult for the Brazilian to get out of Brazil. Although I see, I met the Brazilians outside the stadium there, which I compare with today's life, when I see they following Brazilian clubs in Japan, it was nothing like that in then. Also, I think probably visa costs, it was, which is reduced the amount of Brazilian.

But the attendance in the stadium is correct. All is full. Yeah. But not full all with Brazilian. No. It's probably not full with hardcore football fans. It's not like you guys, you have a huge community. If it was today, the amount of Brazilians in America is huge.

And Edson, it must have been particularly special for you because watching Brazil back home was not the easiest thing when you were growing up. Before 1970, even for the Brazilians, if for me it was the first time I see life. football on color. My parents didn't have a TV color in 1970s. It was in black and white. So we went to a friend of a friend of my old ago that we have about 20 kids there.

Oh, sitting there. I remember even the brand of the TV. We couldn't afford to. We couldn't afford television color TV. And in 66, I remember we used to see it. You used to hear football through the radio. We stay all around the radio. The TV screen, it was black and white,

and they introduced something kind of black spots. They tried to adjust where the Brazilian player or the opposition player. So it was not fun to watch. But the radio, it was sitting around the radio. Because it was filmed. We only see the match the day after. The Irish team had peaked around about 92 which we didn't qualify for the euros in 92

and I think if we had qualified for that tournament England just about edged past that qualification group and they were lucky and England really flunked it in Sweden in 92 and I think the Irish team really missed out there so we still had a very, the nucleus is a very strong squad it was maybe ageing a little bit but we knew we'd make an impression on the tournament

when it came to the first game we'd probably touch on that but we expected maybe the attendance in the first game with the Italians because of the two Irish community, Italian communities were huge. But when we got into Giant Stadium, it was just Irish everywhere. It was probably three to one Irish fans in Giant Stadium that day. It was just incredible. Can you remember what it felt like in the Giant Stadium

seeing your boys come out against Roberto Baggio's Italy? It was, yeah, it was just unbelievable. And to see our hero like Paul McGrath's going, I'm going to be American badger. And no, no problem. No problem. But to see the guys,

but for us looking around, we're going, where's the Italian supporters? Oh, and we're going, maybe they're on the tier below. Oh, they weren't.

They weren't. It was just, this was like a home game. Let's go at them. You know, there was, but it was Italy. You know,

it's not just one name. It's, no, it's like four, I think four of the starting Italian team that day had been, had won the

Champions League only a month before. So when they beat Barcelona 4-0 Maldini was in there Donodoney yeah

Ivani Masserro had played in the Champions League final but he played come on as a sub against Ireland then Dania

and Barezi hadn't played in the Champions League finally he was suspended but Borez he played that day in Giant Stadium so we were we knew we were

going against a formidable Italian team but like I said this Ireland the Irish team was still very strong. They were a team in every sense. We were still very well organised under Jack. And then as it proved,

just Paul McGrath had the game of his life that day, you know. And well, to answer your question, when the teams come out, it just was hairs on the back of the next stuff. Because of the Irish support. They must have been so emotional for the Irish expats to be there that day in their new home,

seeing their home country, you know, and the tri-colours everywhere and the noise and it was just, yeah, it was spawning. I'm going to try and get a sense of the geography for you guys because I want to know the angle that you had on Ray Houghton's goal which is one of the

it's one of the most if you say World Cup goal to me it's one that pops into my head it's so iconic and he looks so surprised to score it as well I was at row one at the very top in line where he hit the ball that was it at that end

it's fantastic it was like it just First, did that go in? And then there was, it always appears to me,

maybe it's just your mind playing tricks. It's like just a delay. It feels like three seconds. Everyone's got, that didn't go in. But no, place just interrupted.

That was just. Even when you, even when you watch the replay and he hits it, you still can't quite believe it's going to go in. Yeah, because he hit it's funny.

He got an amazing dip on it. And the goal, he was positioned himself way off his line. Yeah. But the guy didn't, even really move. I think the goal he thought maybe it was going over or something.

It just goes to sell directly over. Yeah. Yeah. This is going over. Yeah. I'm bothering for this. Yeah. No, it just dropped in. So, yeah, absolutely incredible. They said, peddle him. And then, like 88, oh no,

we've about an hour. Yeah, we scored after 12 minutes. Yeah. It's a long time. It's a long time's old out. We scored up for six minutes against England in the Stuttgart. Yeah. We had night. And that was Again, the longest hour and a half of your life. But it was great.

One thing we did find out later was that Paul McGrath, although he's man of the match, I think he played a whole game. He had a virus infection in his left arm. So it was, if you ever notice the videos, it's hanging. He couldn't, he couldn't move it. Wow. But he's still Mark Barrazi and not Barrazi, Baggio. But his arm is limp for most of the game.

He couldn't, but either he didn't say it to anyone or he just said it. Yeah, it's kind of his performance in that game was hard as well, didn't it? Nothing will ever come close to that for me. For me, Paul McGrath is the greatest Irish player that ever lived. We've had John Giles, we've had Roy King, we've had Liam Brady. But for me, Paul had everything. And given his injury problems with his knees and his personal problems with alcohol and his very troubled upbringing, for Paul to produce what he produced that day

in front of, you know, the traditional best defenders in the world, And you had Beredi, you had Maldini that day. And Paola Maldini actually referred to Paul's performance after that day to say that was an incredible. And Paul, it was just astonishing how good you want. But like I said, as far as concerned, he's the best Irish player ever. And we knew Paul was capable of that. And he still did his day, doesn't realize how bloody good he was. He is so modest.

And he's a national treasure, Paul McGrath. Everybody loves Paul. But he was an incredible footballer. And that day was just, I still get goosebumps really thinking of it. You know, he was just... What do you think they're all doing in the pubs back in Ireland at this moment? Listen, be the greatest party in the history of Ireland.

I mean, this is... For us to beat the Italians in New York is unheard of. On the open road, conditions change. Your composure doesn't have to. But technologies like terrain response to and clear sight ground view, range rover sport brings confidence and confidence and control the challenging conditions.

Explore more atrangerover.com. Bye live sports. BBC Women's Football Weekly. The latest news, insights and analysis from across the women's game. Dame Serena Vigman, welcome to the moment. Are we including Dame in your title now? You know how much an honour that is?

I'm interested! You want to play in a way that they can show their skills, so that's what we're trying to do. Win the World Cup. It's a dream. Listen. With the BBC Sounds app. This is the Football Daily podcast from Five Life Sports. When you were travelling around following the team,

did you know where the team was staying? Did you run into them at any point? Yeah, we ran into them. The day after the Mexico game, the second game was in Orlando. That's another story, to match itself in terms of the temperature. If we played at 12, 30 in the afternoon,

the temperature of pitch level was 110 degrees it was 93 outside the stadium even the even the locals said this is ridiculous expect teams to play Mexico okay we're probably used to but still 110 degrees for anyone so much over 200 people were attended to by paramedics

on the day eight went to hospital of which I was one oh really yeah I went to hospital heat exhaustion I knew during the first half I'm in trouble here so half time I went down under the stand, says, I don't feel well. And I was hooked up to a drip, taking a hospital for the second half. So I missed all the shenanigans with John Aldridge. So yeah, it was savage to expect professional footballers to try and play football in that heat. And you mentioned the players,

we met John Sheridan, Kevin Moran and Dennis Irwin the following day, because Kevin Moran had friends in our group. And Dennis Irwin said it was about the second goal in the second half, the second Mexico goal. The ball comes across from the left and Dennis was right back. It went over his head and he went to chase the Mexican player his brain said chase him his leg said no couldn't move it was outrageous you know

we did well to lose 2 1 in those conditions it's insane to think that it was a 12th that he kickoff like it really is yeah we were sweating we were sweating green um gatorade that's the truth

that's true yeah we were we were advised are you guys trying to sneak beer in no um you want to security guys were telling us get the gate rate into you It was vitamins, salts, everything. And we had these t-shirts from our local pub. And look at my brother.

I was going, he's green sweat. From the Gatorade. It was insane. It was. No, it wasn't. It was dangerous. It was actually dangerous. There was, of course, that very famous moment

when John Aldridge is shouting a lot at what we would now call the fourth official. Him and Phil Bab were waiting to come on and there was a delay and it really kicked off. You must remember this. They're arguing down there. Morris said us at the moment

with a FIFA official because John Aldridge was about to come on for Tommy Coyne and they wouldn't allow that to happen. Things are getting a little hot and bothered down there as Aldridge waits to come on for the Republic of Ireland. Jack Charlton's having a furious up and down there

with the American official down there. We can have a look around. We didn't know. Somebody's fighting with John Aldridge and Jack is getting involved and then we realize they're shouting it it didn't take too long to realize what Aldo was saying to the ref

no no even from we're gone oh god and we're going we're more worried that hold on he hasn't even come on yeah he's going to get booked

yeah and I think he got booked in one of the other games somebody goes oh he might get a suspension but no I think did he throw water

at did he throw water at one of the officials I think I actually can't I should have rewatched it I remember all the FN

and Jeff in really Yeah, yeah. Don't think he could through that and, but yeah, it was... No, I think he might have thrown a water pouch at somebody. Yeah. Well, that's actually nice because everyone's very hot, so it's quite sweet of him in the moment. Yeah, you look thirsty.

And now let me on. I think the only other thing that came to mind that Dennis, I think was Dennis said or Steve Stompton said, oh, he said, the other thing I'll tell you guys, he ran over to take a throw in amongst a whole bank of Irish fans and everyone just roared out of my wild ago. And all you could get was to smell

beer. Right on to the pitch. Just a miss. Is there a sort of trace of disappointment for you guys that Ireland didn't get a bit further? Obviously got out of the group stages with a set of results that I don't think he would have particularly predicted. And then fell against Holland

or a really good, really good side, but maybe not quite as good an account as you could have given of yourselves. We made a few serious mistakes. That is fair. I think at that stage, like I said, I think 92 was probably, would have been in that team's peak.

In 94, we're still formidable and we'd beat in Italy, but we didn't have the biggest depth of squad. Jack really stuck with the same 11 bar suspensions. And I don't think that helped as well because of the climate. I think Jack was a bit stubborn in his team's election that he may have, in hindsight, tweak the team a bit more. Admittedly, modern football, you tweak the team an awful lot more these days anyway.

But I think Jack was a little bit too stubborn. We went out with a whimper against the Dutch. Again, it was Orlando, but it wasn't nearly as warm as the Mexico game. So the climate was a lot cooler that day. We didn't turn up really. And the Dutch were a really good team, as we know. And then when they were one up, Paci Bonner made a terrible mistake

for the second Dutch goal, two and the down in the first half. There's no way back. And you could see our... And when the players are tired, the team were out on their feet down the second half. Yeah, they were gone. They were gone. It was a bridge too far.

Yeah. So, yeah, of course, we were disappointed, but we weren't... I wasn't overly surprised, really, you know? Yeah. You never know how, had we beaten the Norwegians. We may have got... I think there was a more favourable joy.

You sort of didn't want... But you had to say, yeah, I want to play Holland. but there possibly could have been an easier route. But as we're saying earlier, you would have had Brazil in the... Yeah, the prize was, if you beat Holland, you get to play Brazil and Dallas. And that would have been...

That would have been the final for us, really. Yeah. But the Brazilians in the past said Brazil didn't worry about how many goals. No, no. They said, okay, you score three, I scored four. I scored three, four. I scored three, four.

It was attacking it. atmosphere. Even celebrations change a little bit. I admire the Brazilians the way they celebrate in the World Cup

with someone had a baby they were Babetto is one of the greats all the other things are about very clearly

all the three doing the same because Babetto Romario and Zin was thinking they all go to this they're all laughing and

this is the football we always expect to happen And it was the World Cup of Romario. Romario had been, I can't even remember why, but he'd been out of favor for some reason with the Brazil. He's in this politics. I have, we heard the rumors.

They were trying to keep him out of the national team in 1994. And Romario, it was, he's a real proper football. Yeah, it was his story. It is, it is some story about Romario when he play. He played in Barcelona. He used to call Croiff, Mr. Mr. Can I go to Brazil for the carnival?

No. No. Because he will go, he won't come back in three, four weeks. And eventually, they have a match. And he said, okay, if you score a goal, you can go. You can go if I score a goal, yes. What's happening? He scored three goals.

He scored two goals half time. and he already started to change so why are you going? You know the players start to look at it. I said, if I score a goal, I score three goals. And then he's got injured just before the, I think the

1990 woke up. He was injured in Holland. He was playing Holland. So he was really someone said to him, oh, Pelle, said, Pelle is a piece of a museum. Now is Romario. He's, he, he's, he,

He was scot phlegal. He was confident. Very confident. I'm rightly, so. It was, we didn't expect it. Him and Babette play as well. Actually, in person, I didn't like much about the middle field. I didn't like dunga style of football.

I didn't like more receiver. But they grow and doing the tournament. And they supply those guys with the bow. They score it. So, Edson, the game that you were at was probably the best game of the tournament, Brazil, Netherlands in Dallas. I didn't have the ticket.

And I was on the stage a couple of days before because I tried to see if I could see Maradona when I learned about the story about his bedroom, he has a pharmacy. Anyway, I was on the way back. I was on the way back. I see all these people coming, going to the stage. And if I said I come across these two ladies,

Mexican ladies, which I met before, into upper drinks and the bar we used to meet. And she looked at me, says like, come with us. I have a ticket. Do you want? Yeah. And I went there. I was excited to see Holland.

I admire the, we do all respect to you guys. I admire the Dutch football. Yeah. Oh, yeah. And Dennis Berkamp and High Card, it was on the team. So I said, well, we're going to see a good match today. And then two in you. And they were suddenly, I think in the same.

second half, they scored two goals. Yeah, Burkhan scored. He's a tremendous place. Oh, we cannot lose this. We're about in memories of that free kick, that Branco free kick that won it. Well, it was more or less in the front, it was in my side, more or less in the front of me, I heard commentators say,

oh, I don't know if it was a, if it was real free kick, but they... He makes the most of it. He made the most of it. I think he'd wax someone immediately before. I just felt like that. It was great free kick. I cannot deny that.

But I was really happy. Really happy to it. But Brazil weren't finished yet, with their winning goal coming in spectacular fashion from Branco's free kick. Did you guys watch the rest of the tournament? Where were you for it? Yeah, we sort of, the plan for us

was to go to New York for the first game, and then we were relocating to Fort Lauderdale. Yeah. We did a great. time in Fort Lauderdale. We had some instances in one or two instances. They're all harmless, really, I think. Well, I mean, I'm feeling nervous.

We carry on. We came back from one day just down the beach or whatever. Next day we see everyone in the lobby. There's cops and looked like fire department or pest pet control or something. Apparently, oh, four floors has been evacuated. You know, we're on the first floor. the four floor. What's going on? Oh, the venomous snake has been seen. We don't know how many there is, but definitely saw one.

Oh, wait a minute. So we went up to the room. No, no, I think, well, no, you can't go in there and I went in. My brother had a St. Patrick's uniform that he wore. Oh, and he had a, and he brought it. It's a green with the hat and he had a snake. And when the cleaner, the cleaner came into the room. That's fantastic. So when the cleaner came into the room she saw the snake sticking out from under the bed Like I mean it was serious Like they did evacuate the floor because they go

If there's one, is there two? Is there how many? We're going, oh we just picked it up But you look at this, it's rubber But it was still though Was the World Cup on? You walk around Fort Lauderdale you wouldn't know When the Brazil team Won the final

As we say it was not a great Not a great final Everyone remembers Baguio's miss. When they came back to Brazil, what were the celebrations like? Huge. Huge.

You can imagine. The Brazilian hasn't made the fine for a long time. It was a bank holiday organized by the government. It's a good boost for any government. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Especially Brazil. Yeah.

And you cannot compare it 70. because events of live transmission for the first time all of the world in color. For me, it was the biggest impact, but it was huge. And now we're back. Now we're going to win every World Cup. That's what they probably think about. And we can see now we can still find good players. But when we talk about team together,

Seems to be a difficult task. I've read something somewhere about the Brazil team flying back into Rio, I imagine, and being really late because the players had been out, well, celebrating, but then going and buying loads of consumer goods. So like TVs and fridges and stuff like that. And so I've been loading all that onto the plane. Is that right? possibly.

I cannot say stress but it is probably a couple of watches. Buy yourself a fridge. What sort of

reception did the Irish team get when they arrived back in Dublin? Well, they got a reception but again

it was a bit like the team it was a bit half-hearted the celebration in 94 to greet in 1990

it was off the charts because it was our first World Cup we got to the quarter final in 19. 1990 and

it seemed like half of the country welcomed them home. There was a party in the Phoenix Park but it was a bit of a flop to be honestly 94 and I think the players

their body language was get us out of here. It was, they didn't really need to do it. I thought it was a bad idea. You know, we'd beat in Italy brilliant but it was a pretty

underwhelming World Cup after that and I think that party in the Phoenix Park for me was as underwhelming as well the players' hearts weren't in it. They were in 1990, I'd say 1990 was special. The whole country

came to a standstill in 1990 were there for us were cooking we done so well but 94 for me that party was a bad

idea and I guess the feeling as you say that Jack Charlton was probably coming to the end

of the road and lot of the players were and getting older I think the five players in their 30s half the team was

yeah and although we started the qualification well for a euro 96 the wheels come off towards the end

of the group and then again we met the Dutch in a playoff in Anfield in 95 and we got beaten 2-0, but it could have been

5 or 6. And then that was the Jack's last night. That was it. Yeah, it's over. Overall then, how do you reflect on that World Cup, the USA 94 World Cup, from a fan point of view, Edson? We always want to make America

part of the football. So it was great for Brazil win in America. Come back to the football, win in America, all the other issues mentioned to economically. Brazil introduced

a new currency. After so many problems, they did Crusado, Cruzeiros, in a very short period. And they lost Sena. So it was huge for Brazil. Obviously the highlight was the Italy match.

Never to be forgotten. We relive it every now and then. It comes up in conversation more than you would actually think. Probably should. But yeah, a great trip. Like there's a bunch of guys from our club, marriage with another club, 50, all ages. Like, I mean, there was probably teenagers up to 70 year olds. Like, that's if, just all fans together.

For me, for me, Rick, and I know this is a UK podcast, but before we went, I was delighted that England hadn't qualified because we had experienced, we had England in the group in Euro 88 in Italian 90. And you were always wary of your hooliganism. I'm sorry, but that's the way it was. And as we know, Margaret Thatcher threatened to pull England out in 1990 if they misbehaved. So the fact that England weren't going to be in a barry on the corner for me, like I was 27, 28 at the time in America. So you wanted to go and enjoy the football and enjoy your drinks and have, and mingle with the other countries without having this concern.

Slight potential threat. Yeah, it wasn't. And we saw them right in where we were based in Cologne and Germany in 88. We got, we got caught up in our life. So that was in your mind. So for us, it was just, for me, it was great. Again, no offense, that England weren't there because there was no fans to cause trouble there.

So it was just three of the greatest weeks of my life in terms of supporting the Irish team and making, you know, meeting the other countries and just meeting the Irish expats. And yeah, and it was my second time in America, but it was the first time to really get me teeth into it. And it was three glorious weeks. Just I'll never forget the three.

Magic, yeah, magic. Yeah, I mean, for sort of completely different reasons, really. Me as a 15-year-old watching it on TV when my dad had record it, sort of the night before the games. And I enjoyed it more than Italian 90, even though that was an amazing tournament, but it was just quite, I find watching England quite stressful. Fundamentally, I find it stressful. And just watching just a tournament unfold with lots of like fans.

fun narratives and without the stress of like it didn't really mind who won. I loved it. There's a great tournament with a slightly disappointing final but good job review. I think it's going to be I think they've learned and they do organise things well

they weren't great with their beer serving after matches they had a fan zone and joint stadium but they never copped on was 50,000 Irish people who won three points now right? You can make a lot of money here It'll peter off after that

And everyone will go steady Yeah different culture It's a different culture In American football People are drifting up to the bar In the grounds Yeah Yeah during the game

Because they have all the stoppages And the timeouts Yeah But half time And everyone wants two beers now And right now And I can't emphasize that enough

It used to be now And they're going We're dehydrated. Is that two? It was two. It's three now. So there was, yeah, yeah. But that's a minor, minor complaint.

Your rest of it was just... I feel like you all had a lovely time anyway. Incredible. Edson, Rodney, Phelham. Thank you so much for joining me and thank you for listening to this episode at the Football Daily. If listening to the guys today

has inspired you to share some of your own memories and stories from the 1994 World Cup, we would love to hear them, just get in touch with us on our socials at Fireball. Live Sports. Bye for now. Five Live Sports. So here's the first ball of this series.

All the cricket you laugh. Shave Rovee. On BBC Sounds. Smash straight back down the ground. This girl. Here ball by ball coverage of the biggest competitions on the domestic and international circuits. It's a ball cricket and it's the huge one.

Tread out of it. Cricket on Five Live Sport. Oh, blibing every ball of this. Listen on BBC Sounds. Step inside the Ranger Rover's sport and experience refinement in every detail. With features like cabin air purification and active noise cancellation, every drive feels composed and considered. Explore more at rangerover.ca.