Seven years ago today, the United States and Costa Rica squared off in a pivotal FIFA World Cup qualifier at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado.
And while it may have been one of the first days of spring, mother nature delivered weather suitable for Siberia.
In a now-famous match played before blizzard-like conditions, Sporting Kansas City's Graham Zusi and the U.S. snatched a 1-0 victory over their Concacaf rivals, claiming three points that proved decisive in their successful march to Brazil in 2014.
Zusi started and played 76 minutes as a wide midfielder, with Clint Dempsey bagging the lone goal of the night after 16 minutes. Matt Besler, Zusi's longtime club teammate, was an unused substitute.
Zusi and Besler went on to play leading roles at the 2014 World Cup, featuring in all four matches as the Americans reached the Round of 16. Zusi started three of four appearances and tallied assists in a 2-1 defeat of Ghana and a 2-2 draw versus Portugal. Besler started all four games in central defense as the first Kansan to compete at the quadrennial tournament.
