U.S. blanks Mexico, earns World Cup spot
There was no better way for the United States to make the World Cup than with a shutout victory over Mexico.
The Americans are headed to next year’s soccer championship in Germany after beating the Mexicans 2-0 Saturday night thanks to goals by Steve Ralston and DaMarcus Beasley five minutes apart in the second half.
“We had one blemish on our record when we lost in Mexico City,” coach Bruce Arena said, “and it was nice to get that back, and it was very special to qualify against our archrivals.”
U.S. star Landon Donovan said it more strongly: “They do a lot of talking. They haven’t beat us in a long time here. I’m kind of sick of it. There’s no better scenario than to beat them easily.”
It wasn’t all that easy, and it took those two quick strikes after a sloppy and chippy first half to lift the United States into the 32-team tournament with three games to spare. It was the first time since 1934 that the Americans were the first team into the World Cup from North and Central America and the Caribbean.
It will be the fifth consecutive World Cup appearance for the Americans, who are ranked sixth in the world, one spot behind Mexico – for now.
The victory avenged a 2-1 loss in Mexico in March and gave American goalkeeper Kasey Keller his 50th victory for the national team. The United States has not lost to Mexico on American soil in seven games since 1999, and has not yielded any goals in that span, either.
Mexico (5-1-1) still needs another point in its final three games to make Germany 2006. Its coach, Ricardo Lavolpe, was not impressed by the winners.
“The U.S. is a small team,” he said. “They play like my sister, my aunt and my grandmother.”
U.S. blanks Mexico
The United States is headed to next year's World Cup in Germany after beating Mexico 2-0 Saturday night, thanks to goals by Steve Ralston and DaMarcus Beasley five minutes apart in the second half.
The quick strikes lifted the Americans into the 32-team tournament with three games to spare. It was the first time since 1934 that the Americans were the first team into the World Cup for North and Central America and the Caribbean.
It's also the fifth straight World Cup appearance for the Americans, who are ranked sixth in the world, one spot behind Mexico.
The win avenged
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
Canada Fifth As Venezuela, Colombia And Mexico Earn World Cup Berths
In the end, the ground was too much for Canada to make up at the Nations Cup.
Stuart Anderson and Craig Taylor did what they could, but a final round 4-under 67 was not enough to assure Canada one of three spots in next month’s World Golf Championships World Cup.
With a 72-hole total of 15-under 269, Canada finished in fifth spot, three shots back of Chile and Mexico, who finished in a tie for third.
Canada started the final round four-shots out of third spot.
Venezuela and Colombia both fired a final-round
COLUMBUS, Ohio - What better way to qualify for the World Cup than by beating Mexico? Or, what better way than by beating the United States?
The archrivals get that opportunity to clinch a spot in Germany 2006 by winning Saturday night. Even a tie might be enough for both sides, but neither country is thinking about draws in what has become one of soccer’s most heated series.
“The reason I know how special this game is, is on Sunday night, a full week before the game, I was already thinking about the game laying in bed,†U.S. star Landon Donovan said.
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- What better way to qualify for the World Cup than by beating Mexico? Or, what better way than by beating the United States?
The archrivals get that opportunity to clinch a spot in Germany 2006 by winning tonight. Even a tie might be enough for both sides, but neither country is thinking about draws in what has become one of soccer's most heated series.
"The reason I know how special this game is, is on Sunday night, a full week before the game, I was already thinking about the game laying in bed," U.S. star Landon Donovan said.
Either side
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
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The United States will have three changes in the starting lineup when it meets archrival Mexico tonight, according to sources within the U.S. delegation.
Midfielders DaMarcus Beasley and Chris Armas and defender Frankie Hejduk are set to rejoin the starting XI in a game that could clinch the Americans' fifth straight berth in the World Cup (ESPN Classic and Telemundo, 7:25 p.m. ET).
Beasley will return to the left-wing position (replacing the suspended Bobby Convey) after missing the 1-0 win over Trinidad & Tobago on Aug. 17 through injury. It will be interesting to see how Beasley works on
Borgetti, Marquez to play for Mexico against United States in World Cup qualifier
Jared Borgetti is expected to lead the attack when Mexico faces the United States in a World Cup qualifying match.
The Bolton striker was picked by Mexico coach Ricardo Lavolpe for the match in Columbus, Ohio, on Sept. 3, the Mexican Soccer Federation said Saturday.
FC Barcelona defender Rafael Marquez was also chosen.
Mexico leads the final round of CONCACAF qualifying with 16 points from six matches, followed by the United States with 15 points. The top three teams in the six-team group qualify for the 2006
Borgetti, Marquez to play for Mexico against United States in World Cup qualifier
Jared Borgetti is expected to lead the attack when Mexico faces the United States in a World Cup qualifying match.
The Bolton striker was picked by Mexico coach Ricardo Lavolpe for the match in Columbus, Ohio, on Sept. 3, the Mexican Soccer Federation said Saturday.
FC Barcelona defender Rafael Marquez was also chosen.
Mexico leads the final round of CONCACAF qualifying with 16 points from six matches, followed by the United States with 15 points. The top three teams in the six-team group qualify for the 2006 World
Columbus, OH (Sports Network) - Mexico heads into its rivalry match Saturday against the United States at Columbus Crew Stadium without the services of captain Pavel Pardo due to suspension.
Pardo is suspended due to an accumulation of cards during World Cup qualifying. Mexico will now have to attempt to qualify for the finals next summer in Germany without the influential CF America midfielder.
"It's the game that I wanted to play in the most because it is important because of what it means and because I wanted to beat the United States," Pardo told Terra.com earlier in the week.
