LOS ANGELES, JAN. 22 -- The soccer coach who has rescued so many teams over the years saved himself this time.
Velibor "Bora" Milutinovic is international soccer's coaching gypsy, a miracle worker no matter where in the world he is employed. A week ago, he was being ridiculed for the Mexican national team's inept performances last fall. Today he is the most popular man in Mexico.
The Mexican team returned to the world stage Sunday night with a 2-0 victory over world champion Brazil in the final of the Gold Cup tournament.
When the match ended, a surreal scene engulfed the fog-covered Coliseum as many of the 88,155 rain-drenched spectators chanted, "Borrr-a, Borrr-a, Borrr-a!" He responded by waving wildly and blowing kisses to his adoring followers.
It brought back memories of the Serbian-born coach guiding Mexico to the 1986 World Cup quarterfinals, leading unheralded Costa Rica to the second round of the 1990 World Cup after only 90 days on the job, and directing the host United States to the same round of the 1994 World Cup.
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"I am very happy because of the soccer performance and because of the joy we are able to give the people of Mexico and the people of Los Angeles," he said following Mexico's first victory over Brazil since 1970.
It was a young Brazilian team missing Romario, Bebeto, Dunga and the rest of the 1994 World Cup veterans. But Brazil still was favored to win this nine-team tournament.
The Mexicans, however, gave Milutinovic his proudest moment since his second stint with them began in September. Prior to the Gold Cup, they had suffered embarrassing home losses to Yugoslavia and Slovenia's under-23 team. The Mexican media then chastised Milutinovic for selecting an odd mix of veterans and young players for this tournament. "Confounding, stupefying, troublesome," is how the Mexico City newspaper Esto described it. To which Milutinovic replied: "No, I don't think the press exaggerates. I think it doesn't know soccer." On shaky ground, Milutinovic needed a strong showing in the Gold Cup. Mexico won its first three games but none was particularly convincing -- 5-0 over tiny St. Vincent and the Grenadines and a pair of 1-0 results against unimposing Guatemala.
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A loss to Brazil wouldn't have cost Milutinovic his job, but it would have maintained the pressure.
Following Mexico's upset of Brazil, the awards ceremony at midfield took an ironic twist as Milutinovic was joined on the winner's podium by U.S. Soccer Federation President Alan Rothenberg. It was Rothenberg who, under pressure from other USSF officials, fired Milutinovic last April.
"If we couldn't win, he's the one I would've wanted to win," Rothenberg said. "I love Bora."
Milutinovic says he has no hard feelings toward his former employers, and he's still very friendly with several U.S. players and coaches.
"I'm very happy for him," said U.S. Coach Steve Sampson, one of Milutinovic's assistants during the '94 World Cup. "I know he was under a lot of pressure and I think this will alleviate a lot of it. He's my friend, and I will always wish the best for him -- except when he plays the United States."
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That won't occur until the U.S. Cup tournament in June and likely again next year during the final round of regional qualifying for the 1998 World Cup in France.
Meanwhile, the Mexican players are just glad to have Milutinovic back on their side.
"There's a great unity and great respect, and he makes you feel a part of the team," said veteran forward Luis Garcia, who was discovered by Milutinovic 11 years ago when the coach was in charge of the Mexican League club Pumas. "And above everything else, he's a very good person."
Milutinovic was asked his secret of success with almost every team he has coached.
"There is no secret, my friend," he said quietly. "I am a lucky man." CAPTION: Velibor Milutinovic.
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