USA BEATS MEXICO

The United States' Gregg Berhalter (3) and Mexico's Francisco
Fonseca (17) collide during the first half. (AP)

Joining an elite group of countries around the world, USA defeats Mexico in Columbus, Ohio 2-0 to clinch a spot in FIFA World cup 2006 in Germany. According to ESPN:

It was the first time since 1934 that the Americans were the first team into the World Cup for North and Central America and the Caribbean.

Early on in the game, USA showed its prowess by coming out strong, showing a few early chances while stuffing Mexico's chances completely. Both teams came out playing a little jerky, not showing much action in the first half. Every time a team would attempt to get some flow and a good pass upfield for a chance on goal, a leg would pop out and knock it aside. Both teams showing strong defence in the face of their arch-rival. When the second-half started, both teams started stepping up, each getting a few early chances (even Kasey Keller had to make a save or two). Then, in the 55th minute, off of a free kick chance, Oguchi Onyewu headed the ball so it directly hits the post, bouncing up right at Steve Ralston, who easily knocked it in. Then, just 2 minutes after that, off of a corner kick, Claudio Reyna received the ball and easily knocked it forward to Demarcus Beasley, who slid it just past the Mexican Goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez' outstretched fingers right into the corner of the net, clinching the 2-0 victory.