U.S. Cup (also known as the USA Cup, United States Cup and Nike U.S. Cup) was a soccer cup held annually in the United States from 1991 to 2000, except for the World Cup years of 1994 and 1998. The cup, hosted by the United States Soccer Federation, was contested between the United States and three guest teams.
The cup was created to train the American soccer team and to popularize the sport in the US. Originally known as the U.S. Cup, the name was changed to the Nike U.S. Cup after Nike, Inc. signed a ten-year, $120 million contract with the United States Soccer Federation to sponsor the U.S. national teams in October 1997. As part of the contract, USSF added Nike's name to the U.S. Cup title.[1]
In 1995, USSF added a women's competition which ran every year, including 1998, until 1999.
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The cup was traditionally played in a single round-robin format between the four participating national teams.
The 1999 edition of the men's tournament was played in a single-elimination tournament. The first round was the semifinals. The losers of the semifinals played then a third place match, and the winners of the semifinals played the final match.
| Year | Champion | Runner-up | Third place | Fourth place |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 details |
United States | Italy | Republic of Ireland | Portugal |
| 1993 details |
Germany | Brazil | United States | England |
| 1995 details |
United States | Colombia | Mexico | Nigeria |
| 1996 details |
Mexico | Republic of Ireland | United States | Bolivia |
| 1997 details |
Mexico | Denmark | Peru | United States |
| 1999 details |
Mexico | United States | Guatemala | Bolivia |
| 2000 details |
United States | Republic of Ireland | Mexico | South Africa |
| Year | Champion | Runner-up | Third place | Fourth place |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 details |
United States | Norway | Australia | Chinese Taipei |
| 1996 details |
United States | China PR | Japan | Canada |
| 1997 details |
United States | Italy | Australia | Canada |
| 1998 details |
United States | Brazil | Russia | Mexico |
| 1999 details |
United States | Brazil | Finland | South Korea |
1. United States (hosts)-7
2. Mexico-5
3. Republic of Ireland-3
4. Bolivia-2
5. Brazil-1
5. Colombia-1
5. Denmark-1
5. England-1
5. Germany-1
5. Guatemala-1
5. Italy-1
5. Nigeria-1
5. Peru-1
5. Portugal-1
5. South Africa-1
1. United States (hosts)-5
2. Australia-2
2. Brazil-2
2. Canada-2
5. China PR-1
5. Finland-1
5. Japan-1
5. South Korea-1
5. Mexico-1
5. Norway-1
5. Russia-1
5. Chinese Taipei-1