Minnesota may not immediately come to mind in discussions of soccer hotbeds in the United States, but the Land of 10,000 Lakes has nonetheless made its mark on the sport’s grandest stage throughout its history.
Minnesota United defender Francisco Calvo will represent his native Costa Rica at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia this summer, but he is not the first player with ties to the state to have their chance to shine under soccer’s brightest lights.
(Photos: NASLJerseys.com)
GK Tino Lettieri – Canada (1986)
Probably best known for the stuffed parrot named “Ozzie” he kept in the back of his net during matches as a good luck charm, goalkeeper Tino Lettieri was a staple of Minnesota soccer in the late 1970s and 1980s for the indoor and outdoor iterations of both the Minnesota Kicks and Minnesota Strikers.
The Italian-born, Canadian-raised Lettieri began his professional career with the Kicks in 1977 and played with them until 1981 in the NASL, helping them to three straight division titles from 1977–79. After a three-year stay with the Vancouver Whitecaps, he returned to Minnesota to play for the Strikers in their lone NASL season in 1984 and in the MISL from 1984–87 where he led his team to a league runner-up finish in 1985–86 and a division title in 1987–88. He was voted MISL Goalkeeper of the Year in 1986–87 after finishing as the league’s goals-against average leader.
After years of starring for Minnesota United’s forerunners, it was while he was with the Strikers that the eccentric Lettieri was selected represent Canada at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, which remains his country’s lone appearance. Lettieri was the first-choice goalkeeper at the tournament and started two of Canada’s three matches. Despite his best efforts (and perhaps because World Cup officials told Lettieri if Ozzie showed up he would be suspended), Canada bowed out of the 1986 tournament with an 0-3 record and a minus-five goal differential.
(Photo: FootyFair.com)
D/M Tony Sanneh – United States (2002)
Defender Tony Sanneh, a St. Paul native, is perhaps the most accomplished men’s international player to hail from Minnesota and starred for the United States at the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan.
Sanneh developed locally at St. Paul Academy and with the St. Paul Blackhawks as a youth player ahead of a prolific professional career in the United States with five different MLS teams and in Germany’s Bundesliga with Hertha BSC and 1. FC Nurnberg. His career also included a stop in his home state with Buzz Lagos and the Minnesota Thunder in 1995 where he notched 18 goals and 22 assists in 24 appearances.
After narrowly missing selection to the 1998 squad, Sanneh was an integral member of the 2002 United States team that reached the quarterfinals, which remains Team USA’s best finish since placing third at the 1930 World Cup. Sanneh, who took pride in his versatility for the national team, played every minute of every match at the 2002 World Cup for the United States at right back. His well-placed cross in the team’s opening game set up Brian McBride for what proved to be the match-winning goal in a shocking 3-2 upset of heavily favored Portugal.
(Photo: USSoccer.com)
GK Briana Scurry – United States (1999, 2003, 2007)
One of the best goalkeepers in women’s soccer history, Minneapolis native Briana Scurry was the backbone of the United States women’s national team during its 1999 World Cup-winning campaign. In all, Scurry represented her country in three women’s World Cups and finished her career with 173 caps for the national team.
Scurry was a four-year standout at Anoka High School from 1986–89 and in her senior season backstopped the Tornadoes to a shootout win in the state championship game. At Anoka, she was an Athena Award winner, a High School All-American and named Minnesota’s top female athlete. She went on to star at the University of Massachusetts before embarking on a decorated international career that included gold medals at the 1996 and 2004 Olympics.
In 1999 on home soil, Scurry played every minute of the U.S.’s World Cup-winning effort while keeping four clean sheets and only allowing three goals in six matches. After holding China scoreless through 120 minutes in the title match, she made the crucial save on Liu Ying in the third round of penalties that set the stage for Brandi Chastain’s iconic match-winner. She wrapped up her international career with third place finishes at the 2003 and 2007 World Cups, a sterling 133-12-14 record and 71 shutouts.
