DURHAM, N.C., June 18 -- North Carolina State University issued the following press release:
Nearly four decades ago, the United States wasn't even an understudy on soccer's international stage.
The men's national team hadn't been to the FIFA World Cup in 40 years, and no one expected it to go in 1990 either.
However, a former NCState soccer All-American and a bunch of other college stars jump-started the country's efforts to make a splash in the world's most popular sport, which is visiting North America this summer in 16 U.S., Mexican and Canadian cities.
Tab Ramos was just establishing his presence as a professional star, though he was only two years away from his spectacular Wolfpack career.
Playing alongside college stars like Ton...