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| Thursday, March 1, 2001 07:11 EST |
Americans post record third straight win over Mexico
Victory is sweet: Clint Mathis, left, and Earnie Stewart savor the United States' shutout. |
[Associated Press]
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The weather was cold, just as they hoped.
The crowd was loudly partisan, just as they wanted.
And then things began going wrong for the United States -- until
two youngsters stepped in Wednesday night to turn around the World
Cup qualifying opener.
Josh Wolff and Clint Mathis, both substitutes, combined on the
first goal in the United States' 2-0 CONCACAF qualifying game
victory. Wolff then set up veteran Earnie Stewart for the clincher
with three minutes remaining as the flag-waving, "U-S-A" chanting
crowd of 24,624 in the 29-degree chill of Columbus went wild.
"It was a great atmosphere, everyone on the bench felt it, a
real homefield advantage," defender Jeff Agoos said. "I think
this is a big step for (American) soccer in general."
It was the Americans' third straight win over Mexico, a first in
the rivalry, and the first time since 1980 the U.S. team beat
Mexico in a qualifier.
It was achieved greatly because the United States exhibited rare
depth. After losing forward Brian McBride and midfielder Claudio
Reyna to injury in a mediocre first-half performance, the Americans
were sparked by their replacements -- Wolff, who turned 24 on
Sunday, and Mathis, also 24.
"We obviously faced a lot of adversity having to make a couple
of changes," coach Bruce Arena said. "I am real proud of the way
our team pulled together at halftime and did the job in the second
half to get the victory."
Mexico played well for 45 minutes. But Mathis' long ball in the
second minute of the second half was misplayed by the defense.
Wolff ran onto it before goalkeeper Jorge Campos could get to
it, and he easily slipped around Campos to deposit the ball into an
unguarded net.
"I wasn't sure if he was able to get to it, he might have
hesitated a bit," Wolff said of Campos. "I was able to touch the
ball and scoot it past him."
With the Mexicans, ranked 12th in the world to the Americans'
16th, pressing for the tie, goalie Brad Friedel made several superb
saves. His best came when he dived to stop Francisco Palencia's
bullet in the 69th minute.
As the Americans attempted to run down the clock in the dying
minutes, Wolff, of the MLS Chicago Fire, dribbled toward the right
corner. Then he turned quickly along the end line, beating the
defense and Campos before placing a perfect pass on Stewart's foot
for the second goal.
"Wolff was terrific," Arena said. "He really pulled it off at
the end of the game. It's not that we had to get him in the game,
but we thought Josh's speed would be a factor and he was able to
get behind the defense."
A shoving match broke out in the U.S. end moments later, with
even Campos coming all the way downfield to join the melee. But
nothing developed from it, and Mexico went off meekly with its
fifth loss in the last six internationals.
"Unfortunately, we didn't come away with the result we wanted,
"Mexico coach Enrique Meza said, "but I know the players worked
hard and they put in a tremendous effort."
The Mexicans could protest all they wanted that the cold would
not affect them, but they didn't bother to come out for pregame
warmups. By the time the visitors took the field, the temperature
was 29 degrees and one of their fans held up a sign saying: "Next
Time, Pick Alaska."
Many of the shivering American fans were wrapped in U.S. flags.
Others held up red, white and blue streamers that fluttered in the
icy wind.
The first half was not kind to the Americans. They failed to get
a shot on Campos and lost McBride and Reyna.
McBride, the United States' most dangerous forward, hurt his
right eye in an early collision. He was replaced in the 15th minute
by Wolff, who subsequently drew a yellow card.
Playmaker Reyna began limping in the 26th minute and was
replaced by Clint Mathis in the 43rd. Reyna barely touched the ball
while on the field and left with a groin injury.
Notes: In the other openers, Jamaica beat Trinidad and Tobago 1-0 and Costa Rica tied Honduras 2-2, leaving the United States in
first place on goal difference ... U.S. defender Tony Sanneh dislocated a bone in his left foot ... The last time the United States won a qualifier against
Mexico was Nov. 23, 1980 ... The Americans had 20 fouls, including
13 in the first half ... Mexico's Rafael Marquez and German Villa
also drew yellow cards ... The Americans play Brazil in an
exhibition game Saturday in the Rose Bowl, and travel to Honduras
on March 28 for their next qualifier ... Mexico's next qualifier is
at home vs. Jamaica.
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