21 June 1998 - Iran All Over The US

On 21 June 1998, Iran secured their first-ever World Cup victory, beating the United States in the group stage, 1-2.

1998 marked Iran's return to the tournament after a 20-year absence (they had previously qualified for the World Cup in 1978, but exited in the first round after two losses sandwiched around a 1-1 draw with Scotland) and they opened their campaign with a narrow 1-0 loss to Yugoslavia.

Their second match was against the United States and drew worldwide attention due to the heated political relations between the two countries following the Iranian revolution of 1979. Anti-American sentiments in Iran grew to fiery heights in the 1980s, particularly after the US launched a military strike against Iran in 1988. In 1990, then-President Clinton issued an Iranian embargo.

Playing before a crowd of almost 40,000 in Lyon, the two teams tried to minimize any political relevance for the match, exchanging gifts and posing for a group photo prior to kick-off. In Iran, however, the match was celebrated as much for the opponent as for the result--Iran won convincingly after getting goals from midfielder Hamid Estili (40') and winger Mehdi Mahdavikia (84'). Striker Brian McBride scored a consolation goal for the Americans in the 87th minute to end the match as a 1-2 win for Iran.

Both teams went on to lose their remaining matches and were eliminated in the group stage.

11 June 2000 - The US Cup Ends On A Strange Note

On 11 June 2000, the United States won the US Cup with a win over a Mexican national team that really wasn't the Mexican national team.

Starting in 1992, the US Cup was an annual friendly tournament contested by the US and three invited teams. For 2000, the invited teams were Ireland, South Africa, and Mexico, who had participated in the last four and won the last three.

But for 2000, an extension of the Mexican league season meant that many national team players would still be playing for their clubs during the time scheduled for the US Cup. Mexico asked the US to move the tournament to August, but the US declined. Mexico then considered boycotting, but the US threatened to file a lawsuit for breach of contract, so Mexico agreed to send a team.

The team they sent, though, did not include many of their national team regulars. Instead, they sent mid-table Primera División side UNAM Pumas, including their manager, Hugo Sánchez. Nevertheless, the under-strength team managed a draw with Ireland and a win over South Africa to meet the United States level on points on the last day, which is where their good run ended. Playing at Giants Stadium in New Jersey, the US rolled to an easy 3-0 win with goals from Brian McBride (pictured) (33'), Frankie Hejduk (79'), and Ante Razov (85') to claim the title.

Afterward, the US Socer Federation considered canceling the contract with Mexico for future tournaments, but the issue became moot as the tournament ended after 2000.