Following WednesdayGs 1-0 win over Mexico, U.S. coach Bruce Arena, scorer Clint Mathis and Landon Donovan met the press. = Arena explains his 4-5-1 first-half lineup and the switch to 3-5-2 in the second half. = Mathis describes his gamewinner. = Donovan downplays the fatigue factor.

Coach BRUCE ARENA

On the game: pWe are obviously very happy with the win today. Anytime we can beat a quality team like Mexico we have to be happy. I thought in the first half, the Mexican team did a great job pressuring us and we were fortunate to go into halftime even. We played extremely well in the second half and deserved to win the game. pI am extremely proud of our team. It has been a tough four months of preparation for the World Cup. In all honesty, some of our players were simply exhausted today. This is a day where the soccer wasnGt great, and you had to have a big heart to win.S pIGm proud of the turnout here in Denver, and we wish Mexico the best of luck in the World Cup.S On whether this match helped his evaluation of players as he prepares to select the World Cup roster: pWithout a doubt. I think this helps clean up some of the decisions I need to make. WeGre getting closer. I think after the game April 17th in Ireland weGll be able to make some firm decisions.S On beating Mexico: pI think in all the games weGve played, the ones that weGre most important were the World Cup qualifying games and Mexico won the real big one to get into the World Cup. They deserve a lot of credit for the win against the U.S. last July.S On the play of Clint Mathis in 2002: pHeGs obviously a very good player. He scores goals and has a lot of confidence. He can hold the ball at difficult times in the game and bring his teammates into the game. HeGs a complete package in an attacking player, and he brings a lot of confidence to our team. I think when we finally get our full complement of players together we will be a good team come June 5.S On the reason for the switch to the 3-5-2 formation in the second half: pItGs still about 11 players on the field. I think sometimes people get into formations too much. I want to make it clear that I donGt think that was the deciding factor in the game. pHaving said that, we started the game in a version of a 4-5-1. We wanted to play [Greg] Vanney and [Frankie] Hejduk for 90 minutes to give them a good evaluation, so we were committed to play four in the back. pSo with the injury to Vanney, and [Carlos] Bocanegra unavailable because of a fractured toe, we only really had three defenders who could play. And then the other part was Mexico did a little better job in the midfield in the first half, and we needed to plant another player in the midfield. pLastly, I think it was difficult for Ante [Razov] playing up there alone. Maybe we didnGt give him the fairest look in the way he was positioned in the first half, and we had to play two strikers.S On why Landon Donovan was substituted in the 77th minute: pHeGs absolutely exhausted. Landon played in Germany last week, then flew here for the MLS match against Colorado on the weekend. HeGs played in every game for us this year, and heGs absolutely shot.S

U.S. midfielder CLINT MATHIS

On his goal: pCarlos just dumped the ball in and I didnGt think anything was going to come out of it, but I went for it anyway and luckily those guys collided. The ball came to me and I definitely made it a little dramatic by hitting it off the crossbar, but a goal is a goal and weGll take +em how they come.S On his progress since returning from injury and the prospects for the FIFA World Cup: pI feel like IGm starting to get there. Anything can change between now and World Cup time. If I can continue to play the way I have for the last four games and score goals, I think I have a good chance. Physically I think IGm 100 percent. IGm still using these games to get more match fit. Each and every game IGve felt better and better. Hopefully IGll make the World Cup team and by then have no problems.S

U.S. forward LANDON DONOVAN

On the significance of the teamGs victory: pI think it was a great effort tonight. Obviously the soccer wasnGt the best, but to continue to fight and pull out a victory says a lot about the character of our team.S On whether fatigue was a factor for him and the team: pI donGt think so. Physically I felt fine, but the games against a team like Mexico are always going to be difficult. We continued to work hard, and in the end deserve the victory.S