Jeb Burbott of Upland, Calif., asks: What can you tell me about the last time USA beat Mexico in a World Cup qualifying in 1980 in Florida. Now that would seem like an upset (assuming Mexico hadn’t already clinched and sent a less-than-best squad.) Who played? What happened? Mike Woitalla: When the USA beat Mexico in Columbus on Feb. 28, it marked the third time it beat its southern neighbor in World Cup qualifying. The first was, of all places, in Rome, to qualify for the 1934 finals in Italy. When the USA beat Mexico in Columbus, it marked only their third meeting in qualifying since the 1980 encounter you’re referring to. That game was a qualifier for Spain æ82. It was in the first round of qualifying and the USA was in a group with Mexico and Canada. The Americans had lost (1-2) and tied Canada (0-0) and lost to Mexico (1-5) before beating Mexico (2-1) in the final game. Mexico had already qualified for the second round and the USA had already been eliminated, rendering that showdown meaningless. (Eventually, El Salvador and Honduras qualified.) HereÆs the USA lineup from the Nov. 23, 1980 win over Mexico in Ft. Lauderdale: Mausser, Bandov, R.Davis, Fowles, Hulcer, Cantillo, Van Der Beck (L.Nanchoff), Liveric, A.DiBernardo, Pesa, Moyers. Steve Moyers scored both U.S. goals in front of 2,000 fans. (If you have a question for a Soccer America Magazine editor, click “Ask Our Editorsö at the top of the home page.”)