 In a World Cup of shocks, the USA
reaching the quarter-finals as a result
of their 2-0 victory over Mexico has
to rank as one of the biggest.
A first-half goal from Brian McBride
and a stunning second from Landon
Donovan gave the States their piece
of history, having not got this far
since 1930.
Mexico's nightmare day was compounded
by skipper Rafael Marquez being sent
off in the 87th minute for a late
clash of heads with Cobi Jones.
USA boss Bruce Arena, who can now
look forward to a quarter-final in
Ulsan on Friday against Germany, gave
first full appearances in this competition
to a couple of England-based players.
Fulham's Eddie Lewis had played just
16 minutes as a substitute so far
in the competition, while Crystal
Palace's Pablo Mastroeni got his first
taste of action, with Frankie Hejduk
suspended Jeff Agoos injured.
Mexico kept the side which held Italy
in their last group match to qualify
for this last 16 clash of two bitter
neighbours, the match expecting to
break all TV records back in Central
America but unlikely to faintly bother
the US nation, expect for the Hispanic
population of LA.
The Mexicans, who have only previously
reached the last eight twice on both
occasions when they were tournament
hosts started confidently, moving
the ball freely and pinning the States
back.
But on seven minutes USA stormed
into the lead after a brave right
wing run by Sunderland's Claudio Reyna.
Josh Wolff laid the ball back into
the box and Brian McBride lashed it
into the net.
The goal lifted the States and when
Donovan was bodychecked by Marquez,
Reyna fired a free-kick hard into
the Mexican wall.
But Mexico surged back and on 25
minutes USA goalkeeper Friedel needed
to plunge to his right to beat away
a fierce shot from Cuauhtemoc Blanco.
They almost equalised on 35 minutes
when Friedel failed to get any distance
on a punch as a high ball dropped
just under his bar, inviting a penalty
box volley from Blanco which the Blackburn
stopper reacted superbly to, punching
the ball to safety.
But it was not all USA defiance,
a minute later Oscar Perez produced
a reflex save with his legs at the
other end when Wolff had a golden
chance from 12 yards to double the
US advantage.
Mexico threw everything in after
the break, with Reyna, Mastroeni and
Wolff all picking up yellow cards
as America fought to stay in contention.
The States were under relentless
pressure, but they kept Mexico out
and somehow found the control and
composure to grab a priceless second
goal.
From the depths of desperate defence,
the Americans broke with stunning
effect on 65 minutes when Lewis raced
down the left and sent over a fine
cross which Donovan dived forward
to power past Perez.
Mexico were now getting desperate
and Luis Hernandez was booked for
diving in the box on 65 minutes, with
Blanco following him into the book
following an incident with Mastroeni.
The Mexicans played their last card
on 77 minutes when they introduced
veteran Alberto Garcia Aspe, a folk
hero back home who had yet to figure
in the tournament so far, for Gerardo
Torrado.
The Americans responded with Jones
replacing McBride. Aspe's first action
was to be booked for fouling Jones.
Friedel and Salvador Carmona continued
the booking spree, before Monaco star
Marquez was red carded for his foul
on Jones.
USA
Friedel, Berhalter, Sanneh, Pope, Mastroeni (Llamosa 90), O'Brien, Lewis, Reyna, Wolff (Stewart 59), McBride (Jones 79), Donovan.
Goals:Brian McBride 8,
Landon Donovan 65
Mexico
Perez, Marquez, Carmona, Vidrio (Mercado 46), Torrado (Garcia Aspe 78), Morales (Hernandez 28), Luna, Johan Rodriguez, Arellano, Borguetti, Blanco.
Referee: V M Pereira (Portugal). |
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