Dos a Cero, Number 4

It's pretty common knowledge that the United States has never won a World Cup Qualifier in Mexico. Mexico has (in past years at least), exploited that fact by refusing to move their home qualifier against the United States from their Azteca stadium in Mexico City. The US Soccer Federation has in the past offered to stage the USA's home qualifer versus Mexico in Los Angeles (where Mexico would likely enjoy home field advantage) if Mexico would move theirs out of the Azteca. The Mexican Soccer Federation has always refused.

That offer is probably long off the table at this point though. Consider the following:
2001 in Columbus, OH: USA 2, Mexico 0
2005 in Columbus, OH: USA 2, Mexico 0
2009 in Columbus, OH: USA 2, Mexico 0
2013 in Columbus, OH: USA 2, Mexico 0

The United States has their own version of the Azteca to lord over their rivals.

Going into their 2 qualifiers this month, especially once Michael Bradley was injured during pre-game warmups last Friday in Costa Rica, the strategy was clear for both the away qualifier in Costa Rica and the home one against Mexico: Hold on for the first 20-25 minutes, then work to get a result.

Last Friday, the US failed, yielding a goal int he first 5 minutes of the match and 2 goals in the first 10 minutes.
Last night, the US succeeded, it was a dicey first 20 minutes, but the US hung on.

At that point, all of the pressure shifted to Mexico. Mexico entered the game in 4th place in the Hex, 2 points out of the final automatic qualifier spot. They entered this match coming off of their second qualifying loss ever at home. That's right, ever. They entered this game in desperate need of a result, and they have had a 2013 entirely lacking in these results. It was just a matter of time until they started tightening up.

Gradually, the US started taking control back of the match. By halftime, it was finally back to a 50/50 match, neither team was controlling the tempo at that point. Then the US scored less than 4 minutes into the second half off a corner kick. Eddie Johnson took advantage of a) a well-placed Landon Donovan kick, and b) a serious error in judgement from Mexico's keeper to head home the game's first goal. From that point on Mexico's players played tight and looked deflated. Landon Donovan's insurance goal shortly before the 80th minute might as well have made the score 10-0. Mexico was toast at that point. It was simply a matter of waiting for the final whistle.

It wasn't always a pretty effort, but it was a gutty one. It also ended up being enough to punch a ticket to Brazil.

Well done USMNT, and well done Columbus.