On This Day presented by UMKC takes daily strolls down memory lane and celebrates memorable moments in Sporting Kansas City history. As one of Major League Soccer's proud charter members, Sporting has a decorated past full of thrilling victories, amazing goals, momentous off-the-field developments and more. This series pays tribute to these specific instances, turning back the clocks while treating fans to nostalgia and club history lessons. For more, visit SportingKC.com/OnThisDay.
Fifteen years ago today, a pair of Kansas City Wizards stars helped the United States Men's National Team to a pivotal World Cup qualifying win over Costa Rica at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake, City.
With more than 40,000 fans in attendance, midfielder Kerry Zavagnin and forward Josh Wolff started in a 3-0 U.S. MNT triumph that saw Landon Donovan bag a brace and Brian McBride add a late third.
Zavagnin played the full 90 minutes as part of a four-man midfield alongside Donovan, Bobby Convey and Steve Ralston. Wolff logged 64 minutes, joining McBride and DaMarcus Beasley in attack, before exiting with the Americans holding a 2-0 advantage.
The 3-0 result was ultimately a major boost in the USA's bid to qualify for the 2006 World Cup in Germany. Finishing level with archrivals Mexico in Concacaf's decisive Hexagonal round of qualifying, the U.S. made its fifth consecutive World Cup appearance the following summer to compete in a daunting group that included the Czech Republic, Ghana and eventual champions Italy.
Zavagnin, who ranks third on Sporting's all-time chart in competitive appearances, ended his international career with 21 caps for the U.S. Wolff had nine goals in 52 senior caps, notably competing at the 2006 World Cup.
