The Hindu : U.S. soars as Mexicans exit

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jun 18, 2002

Sport

Sport - Football

U.S. soars as Mexicans exit

JEONJU (South Korea). JUNE 17. Brian McBride and Landon Donovan scored as the United States beat Mexico 2-0 on Monday to reach the World Cup quarterfinals — its best showing in 72 years.

Skipper Claudio Reyna burst down the right wing in the 8th minute, powered his way into the box and his cross was flicked back by Josh Wolff into the path of McBride, who fired in his second goal of the tournament.

He became the first American to score twice in one World Cup since Bert Patenaude got four goals in the first tournament in 1930, when the United States reached the semifinals.

The Americans went 2-0 up after 65 minutes when Eddie Lewis broke down the left and his cross was firmly headed into the right-hand corner of the net by Donovan from the edge of the six-yard box.

The United States now faces Germany on Friday.

As expected, the match was a highly charged and bruising affair between the two neighbours, with tackles flying.

Both teams picked up five yellow cards and Mexico's captain Rafael Marquez was shown a straight red card in the 88th minute after clattering Cobi Jones with a high kick and a blow with his head.

``It's a rivalry. We know each other. There's been a lot of bad blood over the years,'' said U.S. coach Bruce Arena.

``When the game's over, we're friends again.''

Mexico dominated possession throughout the match but was denied by the Americans' brave defense and some fine goalkeeping by Brad Friedel.

The first goal — in what was virtually the Americans' first real attack — appeared to settle Arena's side, which then sat back and soaked up Mexico's attacks.

Their rare forages into opposition territory came from Donovan and Reyna.

Mexico's first chance came after 15 minutes when Ramon Morales fired narrowly wide from the edge of the box. Ten minutes later, Cuauhtemoc Blanco had a powerful strike from about 20 meters palmed away by Friedel. However, on 35 minutes, Friedel almost gave a goal away as he punched a high ball straight to Blanco. But the Mexican's pointblank shot was tipped over the bar by the U.S. 'keeper.

The U.S. almost extended its lead as the half drew to a close, but Wolff fired straight at Mexico's Oscar Perez.

It was more of the same after the break with Mexico again in charge. Friedel tipped a dipping free kick from Braulio Luna over the bar on 52 minutes. Defender Gregg Berhalter had to make a last-ditch tackle to deny substitute Luis Hernandez.

American midfielder John O'Brien, defending at a corner, then rose with Hernandez and punched the ball away, but the infringement was not seen by the referee.

But Donovan's header deflated the Mexicans.

Ernie Stewart then hit the post from close range as the Americans threatened to take an insurmountable 3-0 lead.

Friedel again came to the rescue, on 74 minutes, saving a powerful 20-meter drive from Salvador Carmona.

The referee added five minutes of injury time. But the Mexicans couldn't find a way through the Americans' rearguard.

``It's a great day for U.S. soccer,'' Arena said.

``We got a very difficult opponent in Germany on Friday. I think when Friday comes around our team will be ready to play.''

Five teams have now made the last eight: Germany, Spain, the United States, England and Senegal.

Mexico striker Jared Borgetti congratulated the Americans.

``They scored on the first chance and played well. We knew they were a team that counterattacks well and they have fast players.''

While the Mexicans usually have the home-field advantage, even in the United States where Mexican-Americans dominate the stands, there were several thousands Americans at Jeonju World Cup Stadium.

The Americans taunted Mexico with chants of ``Adios, amigos.''

The United States had made four changes to the side that lost 3-1 to Poland. Mexico was unchanged from the team that drew 1-1 with Italy to clinch top spot in Group G.

Line-ups:

Mexico: 1-Oscar Perez, 4-Rafael Marquez, 5-Manuel Vidrio (13-Sigifredo Mercado, 45th), 6-Gerardo Torrado (8-Alberto Garcia Aspe, 78th) 7-Ramon Morales (15-Luis Hernandez, 27th), 9-Jared Borgetti, 10-Cuauhtemoc Blanco, 11-Braulio Luna, 16-Salvador Carmona, 18-Joahan Rodriguez, 21-Jesus Arellano.

United states: 1-Brad Friedel, 3-Gregg Berhalter, 4-Pablo Mastroeni (16-Carlos Llamosa, 90th), 5-John O'Brien, 7-Eddie Lewis, 10-Claudio Reyna, 15-Josh Wolff (8-Ernie Stewart, 59th), 20-Brian McBride (13-Cobi Jones, 79th), 21-Landon Donovan, 22-Tony Sanneh, 23-Eddie Pope. — AP

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