U.S. blanks Mexico
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 a 2-1 loss in Mexico City in March and gave American goalkeeper Kasey Keller his 50th career victory for the national team. The United States has not lost to Mexico on American soil since 1999.
Mexico (5-1-1) still needs another point in its final three games to make Germany 2006.
AUTO RACING
Edwards claims 1st Nextel Cup pole
FONTANA, Calif. – Carl Edwards led a Roush Racing sweep of the top four spots in Saturday’s qualifying for today’s NASCAR Nextel Cup race at California Speedway.
It was the first career pole for Edwards, one of six drivers competing for the final three spots in the Chase for the championship.
Edwards, 26, making only his 38th start in NASCAR’s top series, turned a lap of 185.061 mph to beat out Mark Martin’s 184.833 for the top spot in the Sony HD 500, followed by the Roush Fords of Kurt Busch (184.403) and Greg Biffle (184.370).
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