World Cup berth assured for U.S.-Mexico winner
What suspense remains in the CONCACAF Region’s World Cup qualifying tournament should be drastically reduced in the next week.
The winner of Saturday’s United States-Mexico match will claim one of the region’s three spots in next year’s World Cup finals in Germany, and Mexico (5-0-1) needs only a tie to get in. The Americans (5-1-0), second in the six-team group, are poised for their biggest match of the year and will have rare home-field crowd support at Columbus Crew Stadium, with the game selling out 20 minutes after tickets went on sale.
Columbus also was the site of a key qualifier between the countries for the 2002 World Cup, and the U.S. team won 2-0 in frigid February weather. This time, both teams are virtual locks for spots in Germany. The Americans could lose Saturday and still advance to the finals for the fifth straight time if Trinidad and Tobago (1-4-1) ties Guatemala (2-3-1) and Costa Rica (2-3-1) doesn’t defeat Panama (0-4-2).
While the United States-Mexico match is a highlight of the yearlong competition, the next round of games four days later also could clear up the qualifying picture. The Americans visit Guatemala, Panama is at Mexico, and Costa Rica hosts Trinidad and Tobago.
In a departure from tradition, U.S. coach Bruce Arena didn’t announce the players he was inviting to this week’s training camp. He’ll do that via teleconference today. The invited players, though, started gathering in Columbus on Monday, and they included Chris Armas and Justin Mapp of the Fire.
Mapp’s call-up was a mild surprise; the young midfielder hasn’t had much involvement with the full national team. DaMarcus Beasley, whom Mapp replaced in the Fire’s starting 11, also is available after recovering from a hamstring injury.
Japan beats Mexico 6-1 in WBC
Jim Allen Daily Yomiuri Sportswriter With its back to the wall, Japan remained alive in the World Baseball Classic with an inspiring 6-1 victory over Mexico at Angel Stadium on Tuesday.
Japan will qualify for a berth in Saturday's semifinals by beating South Korea on Wednesday and not allowing more than six runs in the process.
Pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka pointed Pool 1 toward a 1-2 Asian finish by working five scoreless innings and posting Japan's first win in the quarterfinal round. South Korea, the only undefeated team in the 16-nation tournament, is almost assured of
Mexico clinch berth
Mexico clinched their fourth straight World Cup berth yesterday, routing Panama 5-0 while preventing the visitors from a single serious shot on goal.
In other North and Central American and Caribbean region qualifiers, the United States, who had already booked their spot at next year’s World Cup in Germany, played out a scoreless draw with Guatemala, while Costa Rica kept their finals hopes alive with a 2-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago.
With two games remaining, Mexico and the United States lead the Concacaf standings on 19 points, ahead of Costa Rica with 13, Guatemala with eight
Mexico needs draw to secure WC berth
Mexico needs only a draw Wednesday at home against Panama to secure a World Cup berth and perhaps mend its wounded pride after Saturday's 2-0 loss to the United States.
The trip to Germany next year would be Mexico's 13th appearance in the World Cup finals and fourth straight.
Sitting in last place in the six-team final round of CONCACAF qualifiying, Panama would be eliminated with a loss at Azteca Stadium and a victory by either Trinidad and Tobago or Guatemala.
The United States, which qualified for its fifth straight World Cup on Saturday, leads standings in
World Cup qualifiers: Mexico books berth, England loses
Mexico qualified for the World Cup by crushing nine-man Panama 5-0 at the Azteca Stadium.
Luis Perez, Rafael Marquez, Jared Borgetti, Francisco Fonseca and captain Pavel Pardo shared the goals on Wednesday, As mexico booked their place in Germany with two games to spare, and became the ninth team to qualify.
Mexico went ahead on the half hour when striker Luis Perez collected a rebound on his chest and volleyed home from the edge of the area.
Barcelona defender Rafael Marquez increased Mexico's lead in the 54th minute when he headed in Pavel Pardo's free kick
Mexico's La Volpe defends selection
Mexico coach Ricardo La Volpe has defended his decision to include Argentine-born striker Guillermo Franco in the national squad for Saturday's World Cup qualifier at home to Guatemala.
"Most of the strikers who play in Mexico, I would say 80 percent, are foreigners and if one of them is a naturalized Mexican, I don't understand why I can't see what he can do," La Volpe told reporters on Tuesday.
"I've seen the others, now I want to see Guillermo," the former Argentina goalkeeper added. "It doesn't mean he's going to the World Cup."
With two qualifying matches remaining in
US to work with Mexicos future president
The United States said on Monday that it will work with the winner in Mexicos presidential race and expressed confidence that a winner will be announced soon.
The Mexican government has announced that they will declare a winner, we think on Wednesday, and at that point, the president will congratulate the winner, White House spokesman Tony Snow said at a briefing.
We are going to work with the government of Mexico. Its an ally and neighbor, and obviously, weve got a great number of shared interests,
The question sounded something like this: "How special would it be if a victory over Mexico clinched a World Cup berth?"
Landon Donovan, a forward for the United States soccer team, broke into a grin. Words were not necessary, but he offered some, anyway.
"It would be the best possible ending to our qualifying," Donovan said.
The response highlighted the magnitude of the United States-Mexico soccer rivalry, which dates to 1934.
On Wednesday night, the United States knocked off Trinidad and Tobago, 1-0, in a World Cup qualifier, and Mexico defeated Costa Rica, 2-0.
Coming off those relatively easy victories, these kings of Concacaf will
US Soccer Team Beats Mexico, 2-0, Earns Berth in 2006 World Cup
The U.S. Men's Soccer team has defeated Mexico, two-nothing, to earn a berth in next year's World Cup in Germany. The U.S. men are the first team from the North, Central American and Caribbean region to book a place in the World Cup.
The match was even through the first 53 minutes, but then Oguchi Onyewu deflected teammate Eddie Lewis's free kick in front of Mexico's goal.
Mexican goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez sprawled across the goalmouth to try to stop Onyewu and when the shot ricocheted off the goalpost, Steve Ralston
Mexico Hopes To End Drought
The last time that Mexico defeated the United States in a World Cup qualifier the year was 1972, Richard Nixon was President, the Dallas Cowboys won the Super Bowl, The Godfather was premiering on the big screen, and Carly Simon bust on the scene with the Grammy’s Best Newcomer Award.
Mexico looks forward to qualifying for the World Cup Germany 2006 when they visit the United States, and at the same time break a 30-year winless streak in American soil.
The USA National Team will welcome the Tricolors to Columbus Ohio, in a match that will
Mexico denies Iran Universiade quarters berth
Mexico shattered Iran's hopes for advancement to the last eight of the football tournament of the 23rd Universiade here Sunday.
Iran, which was a draw from quarterfinals, presented the place to Mexico as the South American side won the deciding match 3-1.
Both sides collected four points, but Mexico joined the already qualified Czech on goal difference.
Mexico netted twice before the interval and added another in the second half to beat the nine-man Iran.
The Iranian squad beat England 2-1 in their opening match, but it was held by the Czech to a 2-2
