5 biggest upsets in American sports history

24 September 2016: An Appalachian State Mountaineers helmet on the sideline prior to the NCAA Football game between the Appalachian State Mountaineers and Akron Zips at Summa Field at InfoCision Stadium in Akron, OH. Appalachian State defeated Akron 45-38. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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On Feb. 9, 1980 the Soviet Union came to the United States to play the final exhibition game before the Winter Olympics. They walked into Madison Square Garden and completely demolished the U.S. team, 10-3, and many though that would be a precursor to what would happen in the Olympics.

The Soviet Union completely dominated group play. They went 5-0 and even though they had two games that were close, they outscored their opponents 51-10, and proved why they were thought to be the best team in the 1980 Olympics.

The Americans were college amateur players who had only been playing together for the preparation time for the Olympics. The Soviet Union’s players were professionals who played together in international competition for years. They’d also won six of the previous seven gold medals. So, there’s no way anyone could’ve foreseen what was about to happen.

The Americans fought tooth and nail to a 2-2 tie at the end of the first period, and the Soviets would end up leading 3-2 after two. In the third period, goaltender Jim Craig stood on his head, shutting the Soviets out and allowing the Americans to tie the game before Mike Eruzione gave them the lead. The Americans won the game by that margin to pull off the greatest upset in the history sports given the disparity in talent and the stage.

It will be very difficult to top that, given that most sporting events aren’t amateurs vs. pros anymore. It could only be equaled or topped if an amateur were to win a golf or tennis Grand Slam event in today’s sports landscape.