His 30-yard left-foot volley earned a 1-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago in Port of Spain in November 1989.
The article says qualification was viewed as vital to bolster US credibility before it hosted the 1994 men's World Cup.
It places the strike within a wider history that includes the USA's 1930 semi-final run and the 1950 upset over England; apart from 2018, the team has reached every World Cup since.
The USMNT's past is filled with shocking wins and tragic deaths. What forgotten stories will define their 2026 World Cup destiny?
From a 1930 third-place finish to a 40-year drought, what does America’s forgotten soccer history reveal about its 2026 chances?