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The pioneer in an unlikely World Cup team
Key takeaways
- The pioneer in an unlikely World Cup team
- "Why aren't you playing basketball?" was directed at Armstrong, then a 25-year-old defender, who was about to become the first US-born black player to represent the United States at a World Cup.
- "There were no congratulations, or 'how excited are you to be here?'" Armstrong tells BBC Sport.
Why this matters: a sports story that could shift standings, legacies, or fan conversations.
The pioneer in an unlikely World Cup team
Image source, Getty Images By Rhia Chohan BBC Sport senior journalist When Desmond Armstrong faced the media at the 1990 World Cup in Italy, the opening question he was asked wasn't about the remarkable feat of the USA team reaching the tournament for the first time in four decades.
"Why aren't you playing basketball?" was directed at Armstrong, then a 25-year-old defender, who was about to become the first US-born black player to represent the United States at a World Cup.
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