The USA clinched its fifth straight appearance in the World Cup with a 2-0 victory over Mexico Saturday night in Columbus, Crew.
After a slugglish first half, the United States scored twice off set pieces within three minutes to stun the Tricolores, who needed only a tie to clinch a berth in next yearÆs World Cup finals.
Steve Ralston scored after Oguchi Onyewu headed Eddie LewisÆ free kick off the far post in the 53rd minute. Three minutes later, Claudio Reyna fed DaMarcus Beasley as Mexico tried to step forward and put the Americans offside following a corner kick, but Beasley was kept onside and beat Mexico keeper Claudio Sanchez with an angled shot from inside the box.
In the dying minutes, Reyna fed Beasley again for a breakaway, but BeasleyÆs chip went wide.
The USA travels to Guatemala City to face Guatemala Wednesday without Reyna and childhood teammate Gregg Berhalter, who are both suspended after picking up second yellow cards of the competition in the game.
Mexico hosts Panama and can clinch a berth in the World Cup finals with a win or tie.
SUMMARY:
Sept. 3 in Columbus, Ohio
USA 2 Mexico 0. Goals: Ralston 53, Beasley 58.
USA – Keller, Hejduk, Onyewu, Berhalter, Lewis, Ralston (Quaranta, 81, Reyna, Armas, Beasley, Donovan (Mastroeni, 74), McBride (Cunningham, 90+)
Mexico – Sanchez, Rodriguez (Mendez, 59), Marquez, Davino, Salcido, Torrado, Morales, Galindo, Naelson (Bravo, 69), Fonseca (Medina, 58), Borgetti.
Yellow cards: USA – Reyna 24, Berhalter 83; Mexico – Marquez 32, Morales 53, Davino 76.
Referee: Carlos Batres (Guatemala).
Att.: 24,685.
STATS
Shots: USA 11, Mexico 7.
Saves: USA 2, Mexico 4.
Corner Kicks: USA 2, Mexico 4.
Fouls: USA 20, Mexico 18.
Offside: USA 1, Mexico 6.