The United States has all but qualified for the 2014 World Cup qualifiers after a huge 2-0 victory against a woeful Mexican side.
The team only needs a Honduran win or draw against Panama in order to clinch its berth in Brazil next summer. As of this writing, Honduras holds a 1-0 lead over Los Canaleros.
The U.S. starting lineup featured Tim Howard, DeMarcus Beasley, Clarence Goodson, Omar Gonzalez, Fabian Johnson, Jermain Jones, Kyle Beckerman, Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey, Alejandro Bedoya and Eddie Johnson. Mexico's starting XI included Jose Corona, Diego Reyes, Hector Moreno, Carlos Salcido, Fernando Arce, Jesus Zavala, Hiram Ricardo Mier, Christian Giménez, Andres Guardado, Giovanni Dos Santos and Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez.
The two sides battled to a 0-0 draw in the opening half with Mexico getting the better of play and chances in their first game since firing Jose de la Torre. Dos Santos was particularly dangerous for El Tri and helped force a number of saves from U.S. goalie Howard.
The second half got off to a more animated start with both sides clearly looking for a big win. The Americans got on the board first thanks to an Eddie Johnson header off a Donovan cross. Mexico immediately pushed right back but found themselves constantly thwarted by the Americans. The United States started to settle into a defensive shell and relied heavily on the counterattack; it almost resembled the team's strategy in their qualifier at the Azteca in March. Donovan eventually gave the United States a huge 2-0 lead at the 77 minute thanks to a terrific passing play between substitute Mix Diskerud and Donovan. A last minute penalty was awarded to Clint Dempsey but he failed to score.
As the game came to a close, the Columbus fans started to jeer the Mexicans and poked fun at their precarious situation.
The Americans have 16 points with two games left to play, while Mexico only has eight points with two games to play. The U.S. now play Costa Rica and Panama in their final two matches. More importantly, Mexico could trail Honduras by five points by the time the evening is over if the Honduras-Panama result holds.
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