Scoring early once again paid off for the United States, which defeated Mexico, 2-0, on Monday to advance to the quarterfinals of the 2002 World Cup. Brian McBride's eighth-minute goal put Mexico, which had played so impressively in the first round, on its heels and paved the way to a historic U.S. victory. The Americans had never won a game in the knockout phase of the World Cup. In their best performance, a semifinal appearance in the inaugural World Cup in 1930 — contested by 13 teams — the USA had advanced to the semis after two first-round wins and were beaten by Argentina. In their only other second-round appearance, the USA lost, 1-0, to Brazil in the 1994 round of 16. To get to the second round of this World Cup, the Americans had beaten Portugal, 3-2, after John O'Brien opened the scoring in the fourth minute. A 24th-minute strike by Clint Mathis put them on the way to a 1-1 tie with South Korea. ''It was such a great feeling to get a goal so early in the game and put the pressure on them [Mexico],'' U.S. captain Claudio Reyna said. ''They had to step it up a notch and I think they exerted a lot of energy to get one back.'' The Americans face Germany on Friday (live on ESPN2 and Univision at 7:30 a.m. ET). Against Mexico, the USA lined up in a 3-5-2 formation, with Tony Sanneh, Eddie Pope and Gregg Berhalter manning the backline in the absence of Jeff Agoos (injured) and Frankie Hejduk (yellow-card suspension). Pablo Mastroeni returned to the lineup at defensive midfielder alongside John O'Brien. Eddie Lewis got his first start of the World Cup, wide left in the midfield. Reyna played on the right and Landon Donovan was slotted behind forwards Brian McBride and Josh Wolff. Reyna set up the first goal after flying down the right flank and passing to Josh Wolff at the corner of the goal area. Wolff dropped the ball back for McBride to slam home from 13 yards. The second U.S. goal came on a Landon Donovan header off an Eddie Lewis cross, after Lewis was set free by a O'Brien pass down the left wing. 2. USA-MEXICO GAME SUMMARY June 17 in Jeonju USA 2 Mexico 0. Goals: McBride 8, Donovan 65. USA — Friedel, Sanneh, Pope, Berhalter, Reyna, O'Brien, Mastroeni (Llamosa, 92+), Lewis, Donovan, McBride (Jones, 79), Wolff (Stewart, 59). Mexico — Perez, Marquez, Vidrio (Mercado, 46), Carmona, Morales (Hernandez, 28), Arellano, J.Rodriguez, Luna, Torrado (Garcia Aspe, 78), Blanco, Borgetti. Yellow cards: USA — Pope 26, Mastroeni 47, Wolff 50, Berhalter 53, Friedel 83; Mexico — Vidrio 37, Hernandez 67, Blanco 70, Garcia Aspe 81, Carmona 84. Red card: Mexico — Marquez 88. Stats: USA-MEX
Shots: 10-12
Saves: 6-4
Corner Kicks: 3-9
Fouls: 18-17
Offside: 1-5
Referee: Vitor Melo Pereira (Portugal). Att.: 36,380.