November 5 (1989)

The United States men play to a disappointing scoreless standoff with El Salvador in a World Cup qualifier at the Soccer Park before 8,500 fans. The result runs the USA’s scoreless streak to 208 minutes despite outshooting El Salvador, 12-5, and holding a 13-3 advantage in corner kicks. “This is frustrating,” USA defender and Granite City native Steve Trittschuh tells Ray Jordan of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “The defense is holding up its end of the bargain and the offense is creating chances. We’re just unlucky.” The bad offensive luck extends to Trittschuh, who puts several headers on goal but not in the goal. The outcome leaves the USA with one last chance to qualify at Trinidad and Tobago on Nov. 19. The United States finally will score on an unassisted goal by Paul Caligiuri to win, 1-0, and will qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1950.