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By DAPHNE HUTCHINSON
Rappahannock N*wi Contributing Writer
For the 1996 Paralympics in Atlanta, the men of the U.S. soccer team went where no American players have gone before — the medal round.
Seeded last among the eight teams, the Americans upset Brazil and Ireland to finish second behind Russia in their pool. In medal play, they lost 3-1 to the Netherlands, gold medal winners and Undefeated in championship contests in the last 16 years of international competition. Going for the bronze on August 25, the last day of the 10-day Paralympic Games, the Americans were edged out by Spain, 2-1.
In the game against Brazil Jon McCullough was credited with the first goal when a throw-in seconds before halftime bounced off the head of a Brazilian defender and into the net. This changed the momentum of the game. The U.S. went on to win, 41. He scored another goal in the win over Ireland by more conventional means.
"We played our hearts out so, of course, we were disappointed that we didn't take a medal,” said the Rappahannock County High School graduate who is the sweeper on the squad. But the disappointment only lasted for a few minutes after that final whistle. "For us, making the medal round was way beyond our expectations," he added. "Our goal was to win a game — that was enough of a first for a U.S. disabled soccer team. It's hard to believe that we're now ranked fourth in the world!" ~ "The experience was so much more than I bargained for," continued Mr. McCullough, who played on Rappahannock's first community and high school soccer teams. "I've partic
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