The U.S. Men’s National Team’s 1995 season was a landmark year, showcasing major progress on the international stage. Under coach Steve Sampson, the U.S. produced an impressive run at the Copa América in Uruguay. After a shaky start to the year, they shocked the continent by beating Chile (2–1) and Argentina (3–0) in the group stage, advancing to the semifinals.
They ultimately finished fourth, losing to Brazil and then Colombia in the third-place match. Key players included Alexi Lalas, John Harkes, Cobi Jones, and Eric Wynalda. The tournament marked one of the U.S.’s first major successes against elite opposition, boosting its international credibility.
