110,000 watch Mexico defeat USA in soccer

Associated Press

MEXICO CITY — When the final whistle blew that completed Mexico's 2-1 win over the United States, the huge crowd of about 110,000 in Azteca Stadium seemed both happy and relieved.

By winning yesterday's World Cup qualifier, the Tricolores avenged a painful loss three years ago, restored their status as the top team in the region and kept up a 68-year tradition of never losing to the Americans at home.

"To get a result in Azteca is always pretty difficult," U.S. midfielder Eddie Lewis said. "Maybe we're just not quite ready yet."

Lewis scored the lone U.S. goal in the 59th minute off a feed from Landon Donovan, the first goal in Mexico for the Americans since 1984. Mexico imposed its will for most of the game, getting goals from Jared Borgetti and Antonio Naelson during a four-minute span midway through the first half.

For now, Mexico City's 7,200-foot altitude remains too high an obstacle for the U.S. team to climb. The Americans are 0-22-1 in Mexico, getting their lone point from a 0-0 tie in a 1997 qualifier.

"We were always taking the initiative," Mexico coach Ricardo Lavolpe said. "For 90 minutes, there was only one team on the field."