Posted on 03/27/2005 2:25:01 PM PST by rightisright
MEXICO CITY -- For all the American talk about how this game was going to be different, the United States stumbled in Mexico once again.
Mexico celebrates its second goal against the U.S. (AP) Jared Borgetti and Antonio Naelson scored in a four-minute span midway through the first half, and the Mexicans dominated the U.S. team 2-1 in a World Cup qualifier Sunday.
The United States, 0-22-1 in Mexico, had the better of the play against their southern rival during the first 20 minutes, but the field at Estadio Azteca seemed to tilt down toward the U.S. goal for the rest of the first half, with the crowd of 100,000-plus screaming "Ole! Ole!''
The Americans pressured much more at the start of the first half, and Eddie Lewis scored in the 59th minute off a feed from Landon Donovan. Some Mexican fans responded by chanting "Osama! Osama!''
To make matters worse for the Americans, DaMarcus Beasley received a yellow card in the 37th minute for a rough foul on Rafael Marquez. Because it was Beasley's second yellow of qualifying, he will be suspended for Wednesday's game against Guatemala at Birmingham, Ala.
Mexico (2-0) leads the final round of qualifying in the North and Central American and Caribbean region with six points, two ahead of Guatemala (1-0-1) and three in front of the United States and Costa Rica (both 1-1). The top three nations qualify for the 2006 tournament in Germany, and the fourth-place team goes to a playoff against an Asian nation.
For Mexico, the game was a measure of revenge for the United States' 2-0 win in the second round of the 2002 World Cup, a game that dented national pride. But that match was played in South Korea, not Mexico, where the Tricolores are 54-1-4.
A large banner in the upper deck proclaimed: `"El Gigante No Ha Muerto,'' or "The Giant Is Not Dead Yet.'' There was booing and whistling during "The Star-Spangled Banner'' and derisive chants whenever Kasey Keller took goal kicks.
Mexico ended both the Americans' 16-game unbeaten streak overall and their 31-game streak without a loss to regional rivals.
The Americans, who trained in Colorado to prepare for the 7,200-foot altitude, used the offsides trap often at the outset, and Donovan and Claudio Reyna attacked, but the Mexicans then took control.
Mexico went ahead in the 30th minute after Jose Fonseca maneuvered past the U.S. defense and left the ball for Jaime Lozano, who headed the ball into the center, where Borgetti knocked it in.
With the U.S. defense still looking disorganized in the 33rd minute, Borgetti headed a pass from midfield right in front of the goal and, with Keller coming out, Naelson put the ball in off the far post.
Lewis had the first good U.S. chance in the 53rd minute but was stopped by goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez on a point-blank shot. With Mexico trying to restore a two-goal lead, Keller made a leaping save on Pavel Pardo, then dived to knock away a free kick by Ramon Morales from just outside the penalty area.
Mexico coach Ricardo Lavolpe was ejected in the 41st minute, apparently for arguing, after the fourth official called referee Rodolfo Sibrian over to the sideline. The teams meet again Sep. 3 at Columbus, Ohio, where the United States beat the Mexicans 2-0 in a qualifier four years ago.
We should expect more from a country that is thriving because of us, I wish you well, Mexico is the most corrupt country in the world.
Yes, I know.
Amazing how they show up in the hospitals so fast.
Hey, I'd need help with my 13 kids, too.
you must be a closet Mexico fan
LOL good one.
"Nationalist pride at sporting events will bring out the worst in everyone. But chanting Osama during the game is out of bounds. I only wish they could come to the US where they will pay for it instantly."
You'd probably hear the "Osama" chants in some US cities too.
I guarantee you this: if we acted anything like they did the media outcry would be deafening.
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