Canada in Olympic Montreal 1976

[janislam]

Hello,

Is here anyone who can tell me these players' clubs in 1976 ? (during Olympic Football Tournament 1976)

Kevin Grant

Tony Lawrence

Robin Megraw

John Connor

All the best

[Free kick]

quote:Originally posted by janislam

Hello,

Is here anyone who can tell me these players' clubs in 1976 ? (during Olympic Football Tournament 1976)

Kevin Grant

Tony Lawrence

Robin Megraw

John Connor

All the best

Well I don't know. But I do recall that prior to circa 1992, professionals were not permitted to take part in the Olympics and team sports were no exception. So with the exception of eastern block sides, I would imagine that no national side who took part in the olympics would have been permitted to field a side with any players who were affiliated or under contract to any club.

That is why, at that time,they olympic tournament was dominated by the likes of the USSR, Poland and East Germany. Not Brazil..etc. So to answer your question:

"Is here anyone who can tell me these players' clubs in 1976 ? (during Olympic Football Tournament 1976)"

Probably none were affiliated to any clubs.

[fan]

August 24, 1971 - Vancouver - Qualifying

Canada 1 (Neil Ellett)

Mexico 0

Ref: O.D. Norville (Bar.)

Canada: Peter Greco - Sam Lenarduzzu, Neil Ellett, Bill Miller, Ray Telford - Bill Young, Kevin Grant,

Jim Teame - Joe Schiraldi, Buzz Parsons, Frank Schepers. Coach: Frank Pike

July 19, 1976 - Montreal - Olympic Games

Canada 1 (Jim Douglas)

U.S.S.R. 2 (Onischenko 2)

HT: 0:2

Att: 24,591

Ref: Robert Helies (France)

Canada: jack Brand - Gary Ayre, Kevin Grant, Tony Lawrence, ray Telford - Robin Megraw, Jim Douglas,

Bob Bolitho (Mike McLenaghen), Wes McLeod - John McGrane (Carl Rose), John Connor. Coach: Colin

Morris

July 21, 1976 - Toronto - Olympic Games

Canada

1 (Jim Douglas)

North Korea

3 (Se Uk An, Song Nam Hong 2)

Att: 12,638

Ref: D.Garcia (Mexico)

Canada: Jack Brand - Gary Ayre, Kevin Grant, Tony Lawrence, Ray Telford (Mike McLenaghen) - Robin

Megraw, Jim Douglas, Bob Bolitho, Wes McLeod - John McGrane (Ken Whitheead), John Connor. Coach:

Colin Morris

Due to the boycott by the African nations, only 13 teams competed in the Finals of the Olympic Football

Tournament in 1976 and as a result Canada played only two (2) games.

April 1, 1979 - Hamilton, Bermuda - Qualifying

Bermuda

3 (Amory, Bean 2)

Canada

0

HT: 2:0

Ref: M.Regalado (Guatemala)

Canada: Enzo DiPede - Carlo Alberti, Jim McLoughin, Mike McLenaghen, Ivano Belfiore (Dave McCaig)

- Gerry Gray, Oscar Albuquerque, Mike Sweeney, Bob McAvan - Gerry Morelli (Lou Nagy), Branko

Segota. Coach: Barrie Clarke

May 27, 1979 - Ottawa, ON - Qualifying

Canada

2 (Mike Burke, Mike Sweeney)

Bermuda

5 (Bean 2, Brangman, Trott, Astwood)

HT: 0:1

Att: 5,000

Ref: G. D'Ippolito (USA)

Canada: Marcus Klein - dave MacKenzie, Mike McLenaghen, Randy Ragan, Mike Sweeney - Bob

McAvan, Neil McEachern), Dave McCaig, Oscar Albuquerque, Gerry Gray - Lou Nagy, Ross Ongaro

(Mike Burke). Coach: Barrie Clarke

May 8, 1983 - Burnaby - Qualifying

XXI. Olympiad Montreal 1976 Football Tournament

Group A:

18 July 1976 Varsity Stadium, Toronto

Att: 21,643 Ref: John Paterson (Sco) HT: 0-0

BRAZIL 0

EAST GERMANY 0

Brazil: Carlos - Mauro, Tecao (Edval), Edinho, Chico Fraga - Batista,

Erivelto, Junior - Rosemiro, Jarbas, Santos (Marinho).

East Germany: Croy - Weber, Weise, Kische, Kurbjuweit - Lauck, Hafner,

Dorner - Heidler, Riediger (Riedel), Lowe (Hoffmann).

20 July 1976 Olympic Stadium, Montreal

Att: 38,123 Ref: Paul Schiller (Aut) HT: 1-1

BRAZIL 2 (Rosemiro, Chico Fraga)

SPAIN 1 (Idigoras)

Brazil: Carlos - Rosemiro (Mauro), Edval, Edinho, Chico Fraga - Batista,

Erivelto, Alberto - Marinho, Jarbas (Julinho), Santos.

Spain: Arconada - Olmo, I.San Jose (Sanchez), Camus, F.San Jose - Saura,

Bermejo, Vitoria (Mir) - Juanito, Idigoras, Vigo.

22 July 1976 Olympic Stadium, Montreal

Att: 36,198 Ref: Werner Winsemann (Can) HT: 0-0

EAST GERMANY 1 (Dorner)

SPAIN 0

East Germany: Croy - Weber (Schade), Dorner, Weise, Kurbjuweit - Kische,

Lauck, Heidler - Hafner, Lowe, Hoffmann.

Spain: Arconada - Pulido, I.San Jose, Camus (Sanchez), Suarez (Castillo) -

Saura, Olmo, Vitoria - Juanito, Idigoras, Vigo.

P W T L F A Pts

1 Brazil 2 1 1 0 2- 1 3 *

2 East Germany 2 1 1 0 1- 0 3 *

3 Spain 2 0 0 2 1- 3 0

(Nigeria withdrew)

* Qualified for quarter-finals

Group B:

19 July 1976 Lansdowne Road, Ottawa

Att: 14,286 Ref: Angel Coerezza (Arg) HT: 2-0

FRANCE 4 (Rubio, Amisse, Baronchelli, Schaer)

MEXICO 1 (Sanchez)

France: Larrieu - Battiston, Chazottes, Stassievich, Meynieu - Fernandez,

Platini, Rubio - Baronchelli, Schaer, Amisse.

Mexico: Regalado - Lopez Malo, Viveros, Rergis, de la Rosa - Caballero,

Garcia (Marquez), Cosio (Toribio) - Tapia, Rangel, Hugo Sanchez.

19 July 1976 Varsity Stadium, Toronto

Att: 9,500 Ref: Vladimir Rudnev (USR) HT: 0-0

ISRAEL 0

GUATEMALA 0

Israel: Vissoker - Ben Dor, Leventhal, Bar, Lev - Nimni (Gal), Shani, Shum

(Cohen), Oz - Peretz, Damti.

Guatemala: Piccinini - Gomez, C.Monterroso, Wellman, Rivera - Bolaños,

B.Monterroso (Fion), Hurtarte - Sanchez, Pennat (Sandoval),

Morales.

21 July 1976 Olympic Stadium, Montreal

Att: 36,569 Ref: Alberto Michelotti (Ita) HT: 2-0

MEXICO 2 (Rangel 2)

ISRAEL 2 (Oz, Shum)

Mexico: Regalado - Lopez Malo, Viveros, Rergis, de la Rosa - Caballero,

Marquez, Cosio (Toribio) - Tapia (Navarette), Rangel, Hugo Sanchez.

Israel: Vissoker - Ben Dor, Levanthal, Bar, Lev - Nimni, Shani, Shum, Oz -

Peretz (Nachness), Damti.

21 July 1976 Municipal Stadium, Sherbrooke

Att: 3,163 Ref: Jafar Namdar (Irn) HT: 2-0

FRANCE 4 (Platini 2, Amisse, Schaer)

GUATEMALA 1 (Fion)

France: Larrieu - Battiston, Chazottes, Pottier, Stassievich - Fernandez,

Platini, Rubio - Baronchelli (Pecout), Schaer, Amisse (Rouyer).

Guatemala: Piccinini - Gomes, C.Monterroso, Wellman, Rivera - Bolaños,

B.Monterroso, Hurtarte - Sanchez (Pennat), Fio (MacDonald),

Morales.

23 July 1976 Municipal Stadium, Sherbrooke

Att: 4,118 Ref: Marian Kuston (Pol) HT: 1-1

MEXICO 1 (Rangel)

GUATEMALA 1 (og)

Mexico: Regalado - Carrillo, Garcia, Rergis (Hernandez), de la Rosa -

Caballero, Marquez, Cosio - Tapia (Toribio), Rangel, Hugo Sanchez.

Guatemala: Garcia - Gomez, C.Monterroso, Wellman, Rivera - Bolaños,

Villavicencio (B.Monterroso), MacDonald - Pennat, Fion, Sandoval

(Morales).

23 July 1976 Olympic Stadium, Montreal

Att: 33,639 Ref: Ramon Barreto (Uru) HT: 0-0

FRANCE 1 (Platini)

ISRAEL 1 (Peretz)

France: Larrieu - Battiston, Chazottes, Potteri, Strassievich - Fernandez,

Platini, Rubio - Amisse, Rouyer, Schaer.

Israel: Vissoker - Ben Dor, Leventhal, Bar, Nimni - Shani, Shum, Cohen -

Peretz, Tourk, Damti.

P W T L F A Pts

1 France 3 2 1 0 9- 3 5 *

2 Israel 3 0 3 0 3- 3 3 *

3 Mexico 3 0 2 1 4- 7 2

4 Guatemala 3 0 2 1 2- 5 2

* Qualified for quarter-finals

Group C:

20 July 1976 Lansdowne Road, Ottawa

Att: 11,324 Ref: Adolf Prokop (GDR) HT: 1-0

IRAN 1 (Mazloomi)

CUBA 0

Iran: Hejazi - Nazavi, Zolfoqalnassab, Abdollahi, Eskandarian (Nayebagha) -

Parvin, Qelichkhani, Ghassempour - Rowshan, Mazloomi (Jaahni),

Khorshidi.

Cuba: Reinoso - Rivero, Holmaza, Elejalde, Garces - Masso, Delgado, Bonora -

Roldan, Hernandez (Cepero), Farinas.

22 July 1976 Olympic Stadium, Montreal

Att: 32,309 Ref: Arnaldo Coelho (Bra) HT: 0-1

POLAND 3 (Szarmach 2, Deyna)

IRAN 2 (Parvin, Rowshan)

Poland: Tomaszewski - Szymanowski, Gorgon, Zmuda, Wawrowski - Maszczyk,

Deyna, Cmikiewicz - Lato, Szarmach, Kmiecik (Beniger).

Iran: Hejazi - Nazavi, Zolfoqalnassab, Abdollahi, Eskandarian - Parvin,

Qelichkhani, Ghassempor, Rowshan, Mazloomi (Jahani), Khorshidi.

18 July 1976 Olympic Stadium, Montreal

Att: 29,417 Ref: Abraham Klein (Isr) HT: 0-0

POLAND 0

CUBA 0

Poland: Tomaszewski - Szymanowski, Gorgon, Zmuda, Wawrowski - Kasperczak

(Maszczyk), Deyna, Cmikiewicz - Lato, Szarmach, Kmiycik.

Cuba: Reinoso - Rivero, Holmaza, Elejalde, Garces - Masso, Delgado, Bonora -

Roldan, Hernandez (Pereira), Frainas.

P W T L F A Pts

1 Poland 2 1 1 0 3- 2 3 *

2 Iran 2 1 0 1 3- 3 2 *

3 Cuba 2 0 1 1 0- 1 1

(Ghana withdrew)

* Qualified for quarter-finals

Group D:

19 July 1976 Olympic Stadium, Montreal

Att: 34,320 Ref: Robert Helies (Fra) HT: 2-0

SOVIET UNION 2 (Onischenko 2)

CANADA 1 (Douglas)

Soviet Union: Astapovsky - Konkov, Troshkin, Reshko, Matvienko - Kolotov,

Veremeev (Fomenko), Buriak - Minaev, Onischenko (Feodorov),

Blokhin.

Canada: Brand - Ayre, Lawrence, Grant, Telford - Megraw, Douglas, Bolitho

(McLenaghen) - McLeod, Connor, McGrane (Rose).

21 July 1976 Varsity Stadium, Toronto

Att: 12,638 Ref: Marco Antonio Dorantes(Mex) HT: 0-1

NORTH KOREA 3 (Se Uk An, Song Nam Hong 2)

CANADA 1 (Douglas)

North Korea: In Chol Jin - Gil Wan An, Mu Gil Kim, Jong Min Kim,

Jong Hun Pak - Dong Chan Myong, Song Nam Hong, Jong Sok Cha -

Song Guk Yang, Se Uk An, Hi Yon Li (II Nam Kim).

Canada: Brand - Ayre, Grant, Lawrence, Telford (McLenaghen) - Megraw,

Douglas, Bolitho - McLeod, McGrane (Whitheead), Connor.

23 July 1976 Lansdowne Park, Ottawa

Att: 15,233 Ref: Emilio Guruceta-Muro (Spa) HT: 0-0

SOVIET UNION 3 (Kolotov, Veremeev, Blokhin)

NORTH KOREA 0

Soviet Union: Astapovsky - Konkov (Fomenko), Troshkin, Reshko, Matvienko -

Kolotov, Veremeev, Buriak (Feodorov) - Minaev, Onischenko,

Blokhin.

North Korea: Kyong Won Pak - Gil Wan An, Mu Gil Kim, Jong Min Kim,

Jong Hun Pak - Dong Chan Myong (Jong U Ma), Song Nam Hong,

Jong Sok Cha - Song Guk Yang, Se Uk An, Hi Young Li

(II Nam Kim).

P W T L F A Pts

1 Soviet Union 2 2 0 0 5- 1 4 *

2 North Korea 2 1 0 1 3- 4 2 *

3 Canada 2 0 0 2 2- 5 0

(Zambia withdrew)

* Qualified for quarter-finals

Quarter-Finals:

25 July 1976 Varsity Stadium, Toronto

Att: 18,601 Ref: Karoly Palotai (Hun) HT: 0-0

BRAZIL 4 (Jarbas 2, Junior, Erivelto)

ISRAEL 1 (Peretz)

Brazil: Carlos (Ze Carlos) - Mauro, Tecao, Edinho, Chicao Fraga - Batista,

Erivelto, Alberto - Junior, Jarbas (Eudes), Santos.

lsrael: Vissoker - Levanthal, Bar (Nachness), Ben Dor, Nimni - Shani

(Tourk), Shum, Cohen, Oz - Peretz, Damti.

25 July 1976 Municipal Stadium, Sherbrooke

Att: 5,855 Ref: Guillermo Velasquez (Col) HT: 1-0

SOVIET UNION 2 (Minaev, Zvagintsev)

IRAN 1 (Qelichkhani)

Soviet Union: Astopovsky - Troshkin, Fomenko, Zvgintsev, Matvienko -

Kolotov, Buriak, Minaev - Nazarenko (Veremeev), Feodorov,

Blokhin (Onischenko).

Iran: Hejazi - Nazavi, Zolfoqalnassab, Mirfakhrai, Eskandarian - Parvin,

Qelichkhani, Ghassempor - Rowshan, Nouraii (Mazloomi), Jahani.

25 July 1976 Lansdowne Park, Ottawa

Att: 20.083 Ref: Alberto Michelotti (Ita) HT: 1-0

EAST GERMANY 4 (Dorner 2, Riediger, Lowe)

FRANCE 0

East Germany: Croy (Grapenthin) - Schade, Dorner, Weise, Kurbjuweit -

Kische, Lauck, Heidler - Hafner, Lowe (Riediger), Hoffmann.

France: Larrieu - Meynieu, Chazottes, Pottier, Stassievitch - Fernandez,

Platini, Rubio - Amisse (Pecout), Rouyer, Schaer (Couge).

25 July 1976 Olympic Stadium, Montreal

Att: 46,855 Ref: Paul Schiller (Aut) HT: 1-0

POLAND 5 (Szarmach 2, Lato 2, Symanowski)

NORTH KOREA 0

Poland: Tomaszewski - Szymanowski, Gorgon, Zmuda, Wawrowski (Rudy) -

Maszczyk (Ogaza), Kasperczak, Cmikiewicz - Lato, Deyna, Szarmach.

North Korea: In Chol Jin - II Nam Kim, Jong Min Kim, Mu Gil Kim

(Gwangsok Kim), Song Nam Hong - Jong Hun Pak, Se Uk An,

Hi Yon Li - Dong Chan Myong (Jong U Ma), Song Guk Yang.

Semi-Finals:

27 July 1976 Olympic Stadium, Montreal

Att: 57,182 Ref: Marco Antonio Dorantes (Mex) HT: 0-0

EAST GERMANY 2 (Dorner, Kurbjuweit)

SOVIET UNION 1 (Kolotov)

East Germany: Croy - Hafner, Kische, Weise, Kurbjuweit - Heidler, Dorner,

Lauck - Schade, Lowe, Hoffmann.

Soviet Union: Astapovsky - Troshkin, Zvagintsev (Fomenko), Reshko,

Matvienko - Kolotov, Veremeev, Buriak - Minaev, Onischenko

(Feodorov), Blokhin.

27 July 1976 Varsity Stadium, Toronto

Att: 21,743 Ref: John Paterson (Sco) HT: 0-0

POLAND 2 (Szarmach 2)

BRAZIL 0

Poland: Tomaszewski - Szymanowski, Gorgon, Zmuda, Wawrowski - Maszczyk,

Kasperczak, Cmikiewicz (Kmiecik) - Lato, Deyna, Szarmach.

Brazil: Carlos - Rosemiro, Tecao, Edinho, Chico Fraga - Batista,

Erivelto, Alberto - Jarbas (Marinho), Junior (Eudes), Santos.

Bronze Medal Game:

29 July 1976 Olympic Stadium, Montreal

Att: 55,647 Ref: Abraham Klein (Isr) HT: 1-0

SOVIET UNION 2 (Onischenko, Nazarenko)

BRAZIL 0

Soviet Union: Astapovsky - Zvagintsev, Troshkin, Fomenko, Reshko -

Matvienko, Kolotov, Buriak - Minaev, Onischenko (Nazarenko),

Blokhin.

Brazll: Carlos - Mauro, Tecao, Edinho, Junior - Batista, Erivelto, Alberto

(Rosemiro) - Marinho, Jarbas (Eudes), Julinho.

FINAL:

31 July 1976 Olympic Stadium, Montreal

Att 71,617 Ref: Ramon Barreto (Uru) HT: 2-0

EAST GERMANY 3 (Schade, Hoffmann, Hafner)

POLAND 1 (Lato)

East Germany: Croy - Lauck, Weise, Dorner, Kurbjuweit - Kische, Schade,

Riediger (Bransch) - Hafner, Lowe (Grobner), Hoffmann.

Poland: Tomaszewski (Mowlik) - Szymanowski, Wieczorek, Zmuda, Wawrowski -

Maszczyk, Deyna, Kasperczak - Lato, Szarmach, Kmiecik.

Final Table

Rk Country P W T L F A Pts Dif

1 EAST GERMANY 5 4 1 0 10- 2 9 + 8

2 Poland 5 3 1 1 11- 5 7 + 6

3 Soviet Union 5 4 0 1 10- 4 8 + 6

4 Brazil 5 2 1 2 6- 6 5 0

5 France 4 2 1 1 9- 7 5 + 2

6 Israel 4 0 3 1 4- 7 3 - 3

7 Iran 3 1 0 2 4- 5 2 - 1

8 North Korea 3 1 0 2 3- 9 2 - 6

9 Mexico 3 0 2 1 4- 7 2 - 3

10 Guatemala 3 0 2 1 2- 5 2 - 3

11 Cuba 2 0 1 1 0- 1 1 - 1

12 Canada 2 0 0 2 2- 5 0 - 3

13 Spain 2 0 0 2 1- 3 0 - 3

Top Scorers

6 Szarmach (Pol)

4 Dorner (GDR)

3 Lato (Pol), Onischenko (USR), Platini (Fra), Rangel (Mex)

[DJT]

quote:Originally posted by Free kick

Probably none were affiliated to any clubs.

Not professional clubs, for the reason you gave. [EDIT: I stand corrected by beachesl in the next post. I guess that explains why there was a Toronto Metros-Croatia player on the Canadian roster.] But amateur clubs, yes.

quote:Originally posted by Sigma

Kevin Grant played with East Hamilton Cougars, East Hamilton Legion, and Hamilton Steelers (NSL). Not sure of the years, but he probably played with the East Hamilton clubs during the Olympics.

You missed Hamilton Croatia.

According to Keeping Score: The Canadian Encyclopedia of Soccer by Colin Jose:

Kevin Grant - Hamilton Croatia

Tony Lawrence - Toronto White Eagles

Robin Megraw - Toronto First Portuguese

John Connor - New Westminster Blues

And, for the heck of it, the others from the team:

Bill Thomson - Manager (Ottawa)

Colin Morris - Coach (Vancouver)

Jack Brand - Toronto Metros-Croatia

Tino Lettieri - Quebec Selects

Gary Ayre - New Westminster Blues

Bob Bolitho - London Boxing Club

Jim McLoughlin - ?

Ray Telford - ?

Carl Rose - Toronto Emerald

Jim Douglas - St. Catharines Heidelberg

Wes McLeod - Coquitlam Blue Mountain

Mike McLenaghen - Vancouver Pegasus

John McGrane - Simon Frasier University

Peter Roe - Toronto Italia

Ken White_head [remove underscore] - Simon Frasier University

[DJT]

quote:Originally posted by Free kick

Probably none were affiliated to any clubs.

Not professional clubs, for the reason you gave. [EDIT: I stand corrected by beachesl in the next post. I guess that explains why there was a Toronto Metros-Croatia player on the Canadian roster.] But amateur clubs, yes.

quote:Originally posted by Sigma

Kevin Grant played with East Hamilton Cougars, East Hamilton Legion, and Hamilton Steelers (NSL). Not sure of the years, but he probably played with the East Hamilton clubs during the Olympics.

You missed Hamilton Croatia.

According to Keeping Score: The Canadian Encyclopedia of Soccer by Colin Jose:

Kevin Grant - Hamilton Croatia

Tony Lawrence - Toronto White Eagles

Robin Megraw - Toronto First Portuguese

John Connor - New Westminster Blues

And, for the heck of it, the others from the team:

Bill Thomson - Manager (Ottawa)

Colin Morris - Coach (Vancouver)

Jack Brand - Toronto Metros-Croatia

Tino Lettieri - Quebec Selects

Gary Ayre - New Westminster Blues

Bob Bolitho - London Boxing Club

Jim McLoughlin - ?

Ray Telford - ?

Carl Rose - Toronto Emerald

Jim Douglas - St. Catharines Heidelberg

Wes McLeod - Coquitlam Blue Mountain

Mike McLenaghen - Vancouver Pegasus

John McGrane - Simon Frasier University

Peter Roe - Toronto Italia

Ken White_head [remove underscore] - Simon Frasier University

[beachesl]

quote:Originally posted by Free kick

Well I don't know. But I do recall that prior to circa 1992, professionals were not permitted to take part in the Olympics and team sports were no exception. So with the exception of eastern block sides, I would imagine that no national side who took part in the olympics would have been permitted to field a side with any players who were affiliated or under contract to any club.

That is why, at that time,they olympic tournament was dominated by the likes of the USSR, Poland and East Germany. Not Brazil..etc. So to answer your question:

Actually, they did allow professional players who only played in North America (Canada, USA) into the Olympics from 1984 to 1992, as FIFA, who were managing Olympic soccer, decided to make an exception for NASL, and subsequent leagues in NA, players for development of the game here. This is why we did so well in the 1984 Olympics, and we basically had the same team going into the successful 1986 WCQ's, I think.

In 1992 they allowed all professionals who had not played in the World Cup, and in 1996 they started the present "U-21 for qualifying plus 3 overagers for the tournament" format.

[beachesl]

quote:Originally posted by Free kick

Well I don't know. But I do recall that prior to circa 1992, professionals were not permitted to take part in the Olympics and team sports were no exception. So with the exception of eastern block sides, I would imagine that no national side who took part in the olympics would have been permitted to field a side with any players who were affiliated or under contract to any club.

That is why, at that time,they olympic tournament was dominated by the likes of the USSR, Poland and East Germany. Not Brazil..etc. So to answer your question:

Actually, they did allow professional players who only played in North America (Canada, USA) into the Olympics from 1984 to 1992, as FIFA, who were managing Olympic soccer, decided to make an exception for NASL, and subsequent leagues in NA, players for development of the game here. This is why we did so well in the 1984 Olympics, and we basically had the same team going into the successful 1986 WCQ's, I think.

In 1992 they allowed all professionals who had not played in the World Cup, and in 1996 they started the present "U-21 for qualifying plus 3 overagers for the tournament" format.

[An Observer]

I could be wrong but I am pretty sure it was not just an exception for North America from 1984 onwards. I believe it was an exception for professional players who had not played in a World Cup (and possibly professionally in Europe and/or South America). But you are correct in the reasoning for why we did so well in 1984 when we went out against Brazil in the quarter finals on penalty kicks as we were pretty much playing their U-23 side. Of course, Paul James scored on a well worked free kick that was incorrectly ruled offside which would have put us in the semis.

[janislam]

Than you very much for all guys !!!