US clinches World Cup berth after beating Mexico
US soccer fans saw their team beat Mexico 2-0 on Tuesday night to guarantee an early place at next year's World Cup in Brazil
The United States’ soccer squad on Tuesday night secured its seventh straight World Cup appearance with second-half goals from Eddie Johnson and Landon Donovan in a 2-0 home win over Mexico.
“People want to come to Columbus and see US-Mexico. It’s almost like the mecca really for us,” goalkeeper Tim Howard said. “You almost feel like it’s our destiny to win here.”
Noisy American fans stood and sang in the Columbus Crew Stadium for one-and-a-half hours before kick-off, and about 1,000 stayed to celebrate for an hour after the final whistle. The US also needed a win or a tie from the match between Honduras and Panama to clinch qualification with two games in hand, and the North American supporters watched on the video board as the Hondurans held on for a 2-2 draw.
US players crowded around a television in their locker room, and then sprayed champagne in celebration before returning to the field to join fans.
“It’s great to do it sooner than later, but to get it against your rival is even sweeter,” US captain Clint Dempsey said.
After withstanding Mexican pressure for the first 20 minutes, the US settled into the match and got the breakthrough in the 49th minute when Johnson jumped above defender Diego Reyes to meet Donovan’s corner kick eight yards out and head the ball past Mexico’s static goalkeeper Jesus Corona.