Football / World Cup USA '94: Dome breaks new ground

THE World Cup breaks new ground in the Pontiac Silverdome today, writes Henry Winter. A dollars 2m grass pitch, scientifically nurtured in a Michigan parking lot before being winched in a myriad of hexagons on to the Detroit

Lions' artificial surface, makes its debut as the United States play Switzerland in the World Cup's first indoor match.

Today's game could determine how far the United States will go. Colombia and Romania, both potential quarter-finalists, await a US side anxious not to become the first World Cup hosts to succumb in the opening round.

Bora Milutinovic is confident America can prosper, and possibly harvest their first World Cup victory since defeating England in 1950. 'If a team want to beat us they have to show they are a truly great side,' the US coach said.

One factor guaranteed to vex both sides is the temperature,

expected to turn an un-airconditioned arena that is not air- conditioned into an oven.