This was the goose egg that laid the golden point. Seldom has so little meant so much to the U.S. national soccer team, which ended a 60-year, 17-game skein of futility in the Western Hemisphere’s largest city at the most opportune and unexpected time.
The U.S. (2-1-5) held powerful Mexico (4-0-4) to a scoreless draw in World Cup qualifying play Sunday despite toiling shorthanded for two-thirds of the game. The tie represents one more precious point in the U.S.’ laborious task of advancing to France ’98. A win or even two draws in the two remaining games could clinch a spot.
Goalkeeper Brad Friedel said the defenders in front of him performed sensationally. “We’re very, very good when our backs are against the wall,” he said.
The U.S. appeared to have had a spine transplant in the month since a dispiriting 1-1 tie with upstart Jamaica left the hosts of World Cup ’94 with a tenuous fingerhold on the third and last qualifying slot from the CONCACAF region.
“We were overconfident, and that game put things into perspective for us,” U.S. midfielder Joe-Max Moore said. “The work ethic did wonders for us today.”
A just-below-capacity crowd of 114,400 at Guillermo Canedo (formerly Azteca) Stadium turned vindictive toward the end of the game, even though the draw ensured Mexico’s trip to France.
Late in the second half, fans cut loose with a merrily sarcastic “Ole!” each time a U.S. player won a ball from a Mexican player. They called for coach Bora Milutinovic’s head, chanting “Fuera Bora!” (Get rid of Bora), and cheered the U.S players as they left the field.
Milutinovic shrugged off the proletarian critique, but reacted angrily when a Mexican reporter asked if the match had been rigged. “If you question me in this way, I will be obliged to leave this press conference,” he said.
More Top Picks Robot Lawn Mower
The match that earned the U.S. its wee bit of breathing room wasn’t a barn-burner so much as a lung-burner. Overcast skies and the absence of wind tugged a thick blanket of noxious air over the city, which stands at 7,350 feet elevation.
The U.S. had tried to prepare for the conditions by training at altitude in Big Bear Lake, Calif., and working out in the smog of nearby San Bernardino. But the visitors’ chances appeared bleak based on their jerry-rigged starting lineup: goalkeeper Kasey Keller and midfielders Tab Ramos and Ernie Stewart were idled by injuries, and Claudio Reyna sat out with two yellow cards. Coach Steve Sampson started veteran Roy Wegerle at forward and solid U.S. scoring career leader Eric Wynalda at the left back. Captain John Harkes occupied Ramos’ normal slot in the middle.
In the 32nd minute, U.S. defender Jeff Agoos was ejected after tangling with Mexican defender Pavel Pardo. Pardo clipped Agoos on the calf as Agoos passed off, and Agoos, in what he said was an instinctive gesture, raised his elbow and caught Pardo in the head.
“It wasn’t retaliatory,” Agoos said. “I was shocked I got it (red card). I still can’t believe it.”
So the U.S. shifted Harkes to left back. The defense closed ranks, with central backs Alexi Lalas and Marcelo Balboa and rover Thomas Dooley clearing scads of dangerous balls. Dooley had the best scoring chance for the U.S. when his hard-struck shot from 20 yards out glanced off the right post shortly after Agoos’ departure. The U.S. passed well, but aside from a few scattered counterattacks, focused on frustrating Mexico.
The Tricolores stepped up the pressure in the final minutes, raining shots into the penalty box. Substitute forward Luis Garcia missed high with a diving header and midfielder Ramon Ramirez whacked a hard shot wide right.