Posted on 09/04/2005 7:49:48 PM PDT by MeneMeneTekelUpharsin
COLUMBUS, OHIO - Qualifying for the World Cup is sweet, but there's no better feeling than beating your fiercest rival to punch a ticket to a contest for the planet's most coveted trophy. Just ask members of the U.S. national team. Credit the location, perfect timing or just the determination to get the job done. Whatever it was, the United States showed it Saturday night as it dispatched Mexico 2-0 before a delirious crowd of 24,685 at Columbus Crew Stadium. Steve Ralston and DaMarcus Beasley delivered the goods for the Americans, who knew entering the match they would clinch a place in a fifth straight World Cup if they knocked off their neighbors to the south in what was the most anticipated CONCACAF qualifier this weekend.
Both U.S. goals came in the second half after a listless 45 minutes that showed little promise. A draw would have been just fine for the Mexicans, who needed but a tie to go to Germany 2006. "Obviously, this was a great win for the U.S. team," U.S. coach Bruce Arena said. "We're really pleased to qualify for Germany. It was a pretty even first half, but in the second half, coming out and getting the two early goals was pretty big. "It was a tight game, and to win these kinds of games with the U.S. and Mexico, we knew we were going to have to jump on any opportunity we could get."
Crew Stadium is one of the few venues where the U.S. team gets favorable results. It was at Crew 4 1/2 years ago when the Americans opened the final round of qualifying play against Mexico and took an emphatic 2-0 victory. In the ensuing World Cup in 2002, the Americans sent Mexico packing with a 2-0 win in the second round. A minute of silence was observed prior to kickoff in memory of those lost in Hurricane Katrina, which pounded the Gulf Coast a week ago.
The U.S. team won a free kick 20 yards out, where midfielder Eddie Lewis curled a shot into the area. Teammate Oguchi Onyewu's header eluded goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez and bounced off the left post to an unmarked Ralston, who nodded it home in the 53rd minute. "It was the easiest goal I have ever scored," said Ralston, who added it was the biggest game of his life. "All I had to do was head it (the ball)." Five minutes later, Claudio Reyna found Beasley on the right side. The PSV Eindhoven midfielder made a run to the edge of the area and pushed it into the net to double the lead. Beasley could have added a third goal in stoppage time but sent his shot from 10 yards out wide left of an open goal.
After Beasley's goal, the Mexicans had little to offer. "They (Mexico) (stink)," said forward Landon Donovan, who has endured attacks from Mexican players in their national media. "I'm so happy. "After we got that first one, they were never in the game. Hopefully that will shut them up for the next three or four years."
Does this mean we beat them twice or is this a repeat article?
Read the First Part...
US Shuts Out Mexico, and was hoping the border was closed. lol
Soccer is not something the USA needs to be good at.
Next time Mexico bring your grandmothers.
Ha ha ha. That's a good one...no, we beat them at soccer and clinched a berth in the playoffs. If you knew how radical they are about soccer, you would know how sweet it is.
Heh, heh, heh...sweet!
The U.S. needs to be good at WHATEVER they decide to do or in whatever event they compete.
Don't know if a repeat article. Don't know about a "listless" first half. I watched it and thought both teams well matched. The first half was back and forth as the teams wore each other down (imao). The two goals in the second half showed what the US team is made of. Mexico worked very hard to shut down our most well known player (Donovan) and we still found several other guys with the what it takes to score. One of the folks I watched the game with is a semi-pro soccer player. He noted how physical and agressive the play was. Lots of hard knocks. "Welcome to Columbus" sort of stuff.
Ha ha! Some good news, and some schadenfreude too!
I thought Beadsley out played the defense on his wing all night, for that and his goal (which was very well made I might add) he was fouled out of the game for a while. Nice guys, but the ref might have taken better control.
No scoccer fan, but game was great, Beasely was terrific.
Perhaps a little "Neo-Alamo style soccer"?
I would not be surprised to find that the gringos took a moment to remind the Mexican players about that bit of history - como se dice? Recuerde el Alamo!
We lost to them in March at a game played in Mexico City (Our fans were pelted with bags of urine and chants of Osama-Bin-Laden).
Last night was payback - most exciting Pro USA sports event I have ever attended.
Take that, Mexican trash talkers!
Their fans were the creeps who shouted out "Osama, Osama" at our team a few years ago.
We have a soccer team?
They must be deported at once. We will not permit that Euro-sport on our soil!
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