As the clock ticked down and the World Cup qualifying match against Mexico came closer and closer to starting, the U.S. Men’s National Team fans were chanting three simple words.
“Dos a cero.”
Before the match the U.S. had beaten Mexico 2-0 in each of their past three matches at Crew Stadium.
After Tuesday night’s match, the “dos a cero” run stands at four.
A 49th minute goal from Eddie Johnson and a Landon Donovan score in the 79th gave the U.S. the 2-0 victory of their archrivals. A 1-0 victory by Honduras against Panama clinched a trip to Brazil for the U.S. for the World Cup.
Scoreless in the first half, Mexico dominated play, creating chance after chance and almost going ahead were it not for a few majestic saves from U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard.
As the teams trotted back into the locker rooms things were looking bleak for the Yanks, who were missing midfield general Michael Bradley to injury and forward Jozy Altidore to yellow card accumulation.
Four minutes after the restart, a corner kick delivered by Donovan was picked out by Johnson, who powered the ball into the back of the net to open the scoring.
Later in the half the Donovan was found by substitute Mix Diskerud right in front of goal and calmly played into the top corner to secure the victory for the home side.
Captain Clint Dempsey would step up to take a penalty in the 94th minute, but failed to convert on the opportunity.
The score line tells a different story than actually took place on the field, as for large stretches of the match Mexico was in control, particularly in the first half the U.S. was lacking a creative touch it had found over the summer during a 12-match winning streak.
Fabian Johnson started the match at right-back, but was substituted at halftime after sustaining a left knee sprain late in the half. Eddie Johnson also left midway through the second half after falling to the turf because of a collision with Dempsey.
The U.S.’s record all-time against Mexico in Columbus improves to 7-3-0 with the victory. It is also the seventh straight cycle that the U.S. has qualified for the World Cup.
Subside Sports Man of the Match: Landon Donovan and Tim Howard, USMNT
It is really impossible to decide between two of the stars for the U.S. on the night. In the first half Mexico created three or four chances that would have opened the scoring were it not for the Everton keeper. While Howard kept the team in the match by preventing goals, Donovan was the main push forward for the U.S., tallying an assist and a goal against El Tri. If the stars continue to play at this level the U.S. could challenge going ahead in the World Cup.
