Mexico soccer team has its way with United States
Associated Press
MEXICO CITY — Mexico needed a win more than the United States yesterday and it showed.
Associated Press
The Americans played their worst game of the year.
Ernie Stewart, of the United States, left, and Mexico's Alberto Garcia Aspe make a play for the ball during their World Cup qualifier in Mexico City. The U.S. fell to Mexico and, coupled with a Costa Rica win, dropped to second place in the qualifying group.
"We were the most dangerous Mexican player today," defender Jeff Agoos said after the Americans lost 1-0, their first defeat in the finals of World Cup qualifying. "We were our own worst enemy ... We beat ourselves."
At 7,350 feet in Azteca Stadium, the Americans hit a lowpoint, getting outshot 14-4 and committing needless fouls, including one by Joe-Max Moore that led to Jared Borgetti's goal in the 15th minute.
Mexico, with a new coach and a new lineup, needed a win to get back into contention for one of the three berths in the North and Central American and Caribbean region. Only a stellar performance by U.S. goalkeeper Kasey Keller, who made three great saves, prevented a rout.
The United States, 0-21-1 at Mexico, didn't take a serious shot in the first half. Moore, replacing suspended Claudio Reyna as the playmaking midfielder, had an awful game and was replaced by Cobi Jones at the start of the second half.
While the Americans had a few breakaways late, none led to serious threats.
"If you can't have the ball, you are forced to play defense," U.S. coach Bruce Arena said.
Mexico goalkeeper Oscar Perez needed to make only one save.
"We had trouble communicating," Jones said. "We were not organized."
The United States (4-1-1), seeking its fourth straight World Cup appearance, dropped into second place behind Costa Rica (4-1-1), which has the same goal difference but more total goals following a 3-2 win yesterday at Honduras.
Honduras and Jamaica (both 2-2-2) are five points back, and Mexico (2-3-1) is six behind. Only the top three qualify.
With a win against Honduras in their next game at Washington's RFK Stadium on Sept. 1, the Americans would pretty much ensure themselves a berth in next year's 32-nation field in Japan and South Korea.
But the earliest the United States can clinch is Sept. 5 at Costa Rica.
Mexico came out aggressively, dominating from the outset. The Americans played back, waiting for Mexico to tire itself out.
After Moore made a needless foul on Alberto Garcia Aspe in the 15th minute, Aspe sent a free kick over the middle.
Borgetti, beating what looked to be an offsides trap, was unmarked and headed the ball past Keller, ending the U.S. goalkeeper's streak of five straight shutouts in qualifying.
That was enough for Mexico.
In the stands, the rivalry between the neighboring countries was intense. About 110,000 fans, many with their faces painted red, white and green, hooted and called out profane chants and slurs at a small group that had the audacity to unveil a giant American flag.
After its previous game, a 3-1 loss to Honduras, Mexico replaced coach Enrique Meza with Javier Aguirre.
