WORLD CUP NEWS

WORLD CUP RESULTS: United States 2-0 Mexico; Historic win puts U.S. into quarterfinals for first time in modern era; McBride and Donovan score goals to remember, and more…
June 18, 2002 - Gabriel Cardoza

Round of 16 - United States 2-0 Mexico
Daejon, South Korea

The taste of victory is sweet. There is nothing in sports like the derby match (a match of local rivals), add to that the pressure of the World Cup, the world's largest sporting stage, and the fact that the match was an elimination affair, and you have one of the biggest games in CONCACAF history.

U.S. Soccer fans all across America are rejoicing in the United States MNT 2-0 victory over bitter rival Mexico in the Round of 16 match of the 2002 World Cup. The United States men will now regroup in the next two days and prepare for powerhouse Germany, who beat the U.S. 4-2 in Rootstock, Germany a little more than one month past.

The U.S. lads got out to a great start when Brian McBride placed the best shot of his life into the far post side netting with his right-foot from some 10 yards out in the minute to give the U.S. a 1-0 lead. The goal was his second of the tournament assisted by Claudio Reyna and forward Josh Wolf. Chicago Fire forward Wolff made his World Cup debut in the match against Mexico.

Captain America Claudio Reyna started that play with a long run down the right flank. Reyna was starting as a right midfielder after Coach Arena decided to move him to the right to lessen some of the burden on the Sunderland midfielder. Reyna had struggled in his two games with the side against South Korea and Poland, and a was unable to command the midfield like the US Coaching staff and many US Soccer fans had anticipated.

Still his run was magnificent, with one player on his back, he played the ball around another defender, drove to the endline, and sent a square pass to Wolf, who was showing just inside the box. Wolf first-timed a pass into space to a waiting McBride, who placed the ball between three diving Mexican defenders and goalkeeper Oscar Perez for the goal.

Stunned silence from the overwhelming supportive Mexican fans, and joyous rapture from the few Americans who made the trip to Asia.

The U.S. then played a counter-attack game straight out of the manual from calcio italiano, but unlike Italy, who folded in the late going to South Korean pressure, the U.S. held firm, as they did against Portugal, and in the process have made an entire nation proud.

Landon Donovan put the icing on the win ion the minute 65th minute when he converted a long cross from Eddie Lewis with an easy header three yards from goal. The goal was his second of the tournament and was very reminiscent of the one scored by Brain McBride and Tony Sanneh against Portugal. Donovan ran down the middle of the field as Lewis drove to the end line on the left flank. Donovan drifted from his defender toward the far post and headed home for the 2-0 lead.

The United States thoroughly frustrated the Mexicans who tried in vain to break down a very solid U.S. defense. Pablo Mastroeni marked Mexican forward Blanco out of the game, leaving the Tri-Colores with few options. Coach Aguirre brought in Luis Hernandez to try to spark the offense, but the former Galaxy player was quite useless.

The United States were given a huge break before the Donovan goal when the referee failed to see John O'Brien punch a ball out of the box with his hand, in what should have surely been a penalty kick and a red card if the referee had seen the foul.

Shame on any American who is not supporting the U.S. team. What these boys are doing right now halfway around the world is historic, and folks, it is only the beginning of the golden age of U.S. Soccer. The sleeping giant has awoken, and the U.S. will be champions of the world sooner than may think, dream, or dread.