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 and Trinidad and Tobago on seven. The top three qualifiers earn an automatic World Cup berth while the fourth placed team enter a playoff against Asia’s Bahrain or Uzbekistan for another spot.
Mexico took the lead in the 31st minute when Panamanian defender Gabriel Gomez outleaped Jared Borgetti on a corner kick, and Luis Perez scored off the rebound from 15 meters (yards) out.
In the 54th minute, Rafael Marquez manoeuvred himself into the penalty box and gently headed home a goal off a free kick by Pavel Pardo.
Borgetti scored five minutes later with a penalty kick that narrowly slipped past the fingertips of goalkeeper Jaime Penedo.
More: thestatesman.net
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 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
CONCACAF Recap: Costa Rica Clinch; Mexico, T&T Win
Costa Rica 3, USA 0
Costa Rica throttled the United States to clinch World Cup qualification at Saprissa Stadium. Paolo Wanchope cleaned up a saved shot from Tim Howard to send the Ticos into the break one goal ahead. Taylor Twellman had a first half equalizer called back for offside and later had a header saved off the line. But Ticos reserve Carlos Hernandez came off the bench to deliver two scinitillating strikes past Howard to send the Central American nation into party mode. The Americans looked imcompatible and unprepared, particularly the 3-5-2 formation
Arena wants fans to tune in when Americans meet Mexico on soccer pitch
Bruce Arena wants American soccer fans to "put up or shut up."
Preparing for Saturday's World Cup qualifier against Mexico in Columbus, Ohio, the U.S. coach said American fans should demonstrate their support for the sport by watching the game on television as well as tuning into and attending Major League Soccer games.
"I think it's critical," Arena said Wednesday. "If we want this sport to grow, if we want to truly position ourselves to one day win a World Cup, we need support from the people
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
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
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 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
Soccer: 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 in Izmir, Turkey on Sunday.
Iran, which was a draw away 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 defeated England 2-1 in their opening match, but it was held by
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
