Marcelo Balboa scored in Leon’s 3-2 win over UNAM Pumas in the Mexican First Division Sept. 2, three days after playing in the FIFA World All-Star Game in Tokyo.
“It was a long way to go for one game,” said Balboa, the most capped player in U.S. history, “but it was worth it. It was exciting.”
He played all 90 minutes for the Pan American All-Stars, who defeated the Rest of the World 5-1 in a charity match benefiting the victims of the Jan. 17 earthquake in Kobe, Japan. The winning team was coached by former U.S. coach Bora Milutinovic.
“They scored first,” Balboa said, “and that upset the Brazilians.”
Balboa played stopper for the team with four members of the 1994 World Cup winners, including Dunga and Jorginho. Colombian Carlos Valderrama served as the playmaker.
“Our midfield didn’t give up the ball,” Balboa said. “It made my job very easy. It was a good time. You could see why these guys are world champions.”
But it was a Mexican who starred. Carlos Hermosillo notched a hat trick.
“It was super,” Milutinovic said. “I was very happy that Marcelo played. And then he comes back to Mexico and scores in a full stadium.”
Balboa hit the post with a header in Tokyo. He was on target when he returned to Mexican league play, scoring the second goal in the win over Pumas, whose own U.S. player, Mike Sorber, sat out with an ankle injury.
“It was a corner kick to the near post,” Balboa said, “I got there before the goalkeeper.”
Late in the game, Balboa was called for a foul that led to Pumas’ penalty-kick goal.
“I’m not sure if it was a good call,” Sorber said.
The win gave Leon two straight victories after opening the season with a surprise 4-0 win over Chivas.
Tab Ramos’ Tigres tied Santos 1-1. Ramos was ejected in the 75th minute for his second yellow-card offense.
by Soccer America Senior Editor Mike Woitalla