Scotland are back in New Jersey for a World Cup warm-up fixture, a setting that carries more history for the national side than most supporters realise.
Steve Clarke’s squad faces Bolivia in the Garden State, exactly one week before their opening Group C clash against Haiti at the tournament proper.
The occasion inevitably stirs memories of Scotland’s last World Cup appearance, when Craig Brown’s side prepared for France 98 with a trip to the very same state.
Most fans recall the France 98 opener against Brazil, Colin Hendry and the boys in their kilts parading around the Stade de France before the match began.
That night featured Cesar Sampaio’s early bullet header, John Collins’ penalty, and the heartbreak of Tom Boyd’s unfortunate own goal in a narrow defeat.
Far fewer remember that Scotland played Colombia in New Jersey 18 days before that famous night, in a warm-up friendly that has somehow slipped through the cracks of football history.
The game formed part of a double-header featuring the major soccer league FML match between New York/New Jersey MetroStars and Miami Fusion.
Brown rested both Jim Leighton and Andy Goram for the occasion, handing Wimbledon goalkeeper Neil Sullivan a rare start between the sticks.
A dodgy stomach ruled Kevin Gallacher out of the squad, so Celtic striker Darren Jackson came in and delivered an inspired performance alongside his Parkhead teammate Craig Burley.
Colombia took the lead on 22 minutes when the always recognisable Carlos Valderrama converted a penalty, sending Sullivan the wrong way with considerable swagger.
Scotland responded swiftly, with John Collins firing a screamer with his right foot just three minutes later, a goal that still deserves far more recognition than it receives.
Jackson provided the assist for Collins, and the Celtic striker was involved again moments later when Burley added a stunning second goal on 33 minutes.
Jackson volleyed a pass in behind the Colombia back line, and Burley smashed it first time from a tight angle into the roof of the net to put Scotland firmly in control.
The lead held until 11 minutes from time, when then-Newcastle maverick Tino Asprilla steered a shot beyond Sullivan, only for the effort to strike the post before Freddy Rincon tapped home the rebound.
Scotland held on for a 2-2 draw against a Colombia side also heading to France, a result that stands as one of the more impressive friendly showings of the Brown era.
It remains baffling that a performance of that quality, in a fixture with such clear historical parallels to the present moment, has faded so completely from the collective memory.
Clarke’s side now has the opportunity to echo that forgotten afternoon and send a message to their World Cup rivals before the tournament truly begins.
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