USA 2 Mexico 0

I don't know if this is the biggest win in US "soccer" history, but only because we knew Mexico was very beatable. The situation certainly calls for it, as our lads have now confidently scooted themselves into the World's Elite Eight, preparing a matchup against Germany Friday morning (4:30 local time). I also realize I had stated earlier I expected the US to get "run" by Mexico -- unless we could turn things around. Guess what...

The margin for victory in the World Cup is so often excruciatingly razor thin. Seeing the second game of the evening, as Brazil beat Belgium 2-0, helps reinforce that. Belgium played a superb game in the midfield and defense -- but repeatedly made a mess of finishing thier chances up front. Brazil, meanwhile, scored first off a deflection from a Belgian defender -- even though one Mst give due credit to Rivaldo for his delicious chest trap, turn, and shot from the top of the penalty area -- and scored late when Belgium's goalie made a mess of a Ronaldo shot -- although one must give credit for the explosive Brazillian counterattack and cross to set it up. The point being, of course, that this was a 2-0 game, one that looks on the board as decisive, but to the knowledgable observer was anything but.

So you can say the USA "backed in" to the Sweet 16 (and I have) but you can also say the following: we defeated World #5 Portugal, managed a point from host Korea (which Poland and Portugal failed to do) and have now defeated a side which won their group -- a group which included Italy -- and were looking as strong and confident as anyone else in the tournament. Sure, one can say we "backed in" to the 16, but we have earned our place in the Elite 8.

I can't help but point out the following: with Pablo Mastreoni IN and Clint Mathis OUT of the lineup, the US is 2-0. I'm not sure what to make of it -- but I DO know I can say that the USA posses enough depth to give Bruce Arena plenty of choice in formations and lineups, and one could hardly doubt the decisions he made today. What we saw amounted to a 3-4-1-2, with Tony Sanneh, Eddie Pope, and Greg Berhalter (L to R) accross the back; then 4 defensive midfielders: Claudio Reyna out right (and out of his usual central midfield role) Mastreoni and John O'brien manning the middle, and Eddie Lewis left. The attack had Landon Donovan in an attacking center mid role, with Brian McBride and Josh Wolff up front. A solid lineup, to say the least. Lewis has spent plenty of time at left midflield for the US (and lost the spot to upstart DaMarcus Beasely), Berhalter is a solid defender, and Wolff was SO strong for the USA last spring in CONCACAF qualifying before succumbing to injury and seemingly losing his way.

The formation looks and seems defensive, and that's the way the US played, deciding on a counterattacking philosophy that worked to perfection. Despite the clear Mexican advantage in possesion, the USA generated as many, if not more, chances than Mexico -- and of course in the Ultimate tally finished two of them to Mexico's zero. Most of Mexico's possesion, primarily in the first half, was spent knocking the ball around the middle third of the field, seraching for the largely non-existent gaps in the US defense. When they did force a ball in, they seemed to rely on wild deflections to generate their chances. In the second half, the Mexican attack started to put very real pressure on, but then it was time for Brad Friedel to make his mark on the match.

The US, for it's part, displayed a flat back 6 when Mexico attacked. Fortifying the back three were Reyna on the right, O'Brien or Mastreoni in the middle, and Lewis on the left. Lost in the negativity surrounding the form of the US defense has been the fact that Tony Sanneh and Eddie Pope have been model defenders this World Cup. Under the withering Mexican attack during the first 20 minutes of the second half, if it wasn't Friedel making a save, it was Pope or Sanneh with a clutch header or tackle.

Of course, the US found the back of the net for the second time in the 64th, and after another brief spurt, the Mexicans appeared spent. The play began to resort to dives and overly physical challenges, and Mastreoni had clearly gotten in the head of striker Cuauhtemoc Blanco -- who had began to range back into the midfield to try to force the attack. The spottiness and thuggery of the play in the final minutes was a bit of a sour note, culminating in captain Rafeal Marquez getting red carded for a viciously ramming sunstitute Cobi Jones.

The 3-5-2 formation, which is essentially what the US ran today, can be extremely effective if executed properly. We certainly saw that today, with what amounted to a 6-2-2 when Mexico attacked, then a 3-4-3 when the US counterattacked. Here are some various comments on some of the players involved:

1) Landon Donovan: His future is probrably an attacking midfield role, like he played today, with Wolff and Mathis up front -- of course, I'm jumping ahead four years. When Earnie Stewart came in for Wolff in the 59th minute, Donovan pushed up and Stewart took that role. Of course, Donovan promptly scored, on Eddie Lewis's great play up the flank. Simply put, Donovan has been AWESOME for the US in the tournament, and was again today. the future is now.

2) Claudio Reyna: Co-man-of-the-match, with Donovan. Placed in a unaccustomed right defensive midfielder role, he finally played like we've need him to. Was largely responsible for the first goal with a brilliant dribble to the end line.

3) Pablo Mastreoni: maybe like a Nate McMillan was for the Sonics, but the team is just better with him on the field. He sort of came from out of nowhere, not playing a minute in any qualifying match (where has this guy BEEN?) we can certainly understand why Arena went to him against Portugal, can't we!

4) The back line: I've given my props to Sanneh and Pope, and add Berhalter to this. Solid game for a man off the bench.

5) Eddie Lewis: when you figure he was in for DaMarcus Beasely, it makes you realize how this could've been a disaster for Arena. Of course, I suspect Beasely is run out, and Lewis remindded us of why he's played that left MF position so much for our side.

6) John O'brien: this man is plain and simple the unsung hero of the US effort so far. He has played every minute, and played well.

7) McBride and Wolff: McBride continued to win headers all day... although I wondered who he was trying to win them TO, and Wolff was an inspired choice for Arena.

8) the Subs: Cobi Jones knew what he was there for: provide energy to help kill the clock, but he also served as a lightning rod for Mexican cards -- great job! Stewart has got the skills, and I've wondered sometimes if he isn't the USA's most solid player.