Dunga: Host USA was toughest match in Brazil’s run to World Cup glory in 1994

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The last time the United States hosted a World Cup, Brazil had to get past prime Dennis Bergkamp and the Netherlands in the quarterfinals and outlast Roberto Baggio and Italy in a thrilling penalty shootout.

But 31 years later, and with the US on the cusp of hosting soccer's greatest competition once more, Brazilian captain Dunga — the man who lifted the trophy all those years ago at the Rose Bowl — still can't quite get over just how difficult a test the Americans gave them in the Round of 16.

With over 84,000 packed into Stanford Stadium, on Independence Day 1994 no less, the No. 1-ranked Brazilians should have had little trouble with the No. 23 Americans.

Instead, a bevy of missed chances in the first half gave way to controversy when Leonardo picked up a red card