Dos a Cero again: USA qualifies for World Cup with win over Mexico

Photo credit: ESPN

 

If we thought missing Michael Bradley and Matt Besler and Jozy Altidore might cost Team USA a game versus Mexico in Columbus, then Klinsmann's crew proved us wrong.

No Bradley? Jermaine Jones stepped up and Beckerman covered for him. Besler is out? Goodson and his experience clogged up Mexico's attack. No Altidore? That's okay, Eddie Johnson plays for us.

It was a patchwork team with the surprising addition of Bedoya on the flank instead of Zusi, with Donovan in the midfield and Dempsey a withdrawn forward, but both present. Michael Parkhurst in on the right side and Beasley looking to redeem himself. It worked.

It was a tale of two halves. Mexico pressed and controlled the first half and could have scored. The second half was vintage USA in Columbus, Ohio. Two goals by legendary figures: Eddie Johnson and Landon Donovan. EJ had a picture-perfect header that Jozy would be jealous and proud of. For Donovan it's the 6th goal against the Americans' nemesis, and in what fashion. Diskerud provided the fantasy we wanted to see with a self-chip to allow himself to set up a center of death for Donovan. Goal.

This game was a testament to Klisnmann and the depth he has built in this squad. Can the US make noise at the World Cup? Possibly, but for that to happen Bradley will need to be with the squad and more discipline will be required.

USA will be in Brazil 2014. Today it was fantasy and speed, set pieces to be proud of, a city of Columbus that always delivered, and the scoreline that is as poetic as Dempsey missing his chance to score three for the US. A poem was written tonight and this poetry was Made in America.

Player Ratings:

Howard.................7

Fabian Johnson......6

Gonzalez...............6.5

Goodson..............7

Beasley.................6.5

Bedoya................6

Donovan..............7.5

Dempsey..............6.5

Beckerman...........6

Jones...................6.5

Eddie Johnson.....7

Subs Diskerud (8), Parkhurst (6), Zusi (NR)

Dos a Cero: for the fans

What does it mean to win by the score of 2 to 0? Closure. Endpoint. Triumph. For years, the Concacaf was ruled by one country: Mexico. A soccer nation like few others in the planet. A place that breathes futbol and elevates it to glory. But, on a February night in 2001, all of this changed. The United States sent a clear statement. They won at home. They made their home. For once, the majority in the stands was painted red. The scoreline simply filled the voids.

Dos a Cero was a tribute to the fans. A golden ticket for those who waited to have their team reach the potential that so many knew existed. They say that every journey has a first step. This win in a World Cup qualifier was what Concacaf needed: a change in venue.

Ever since that win the stadiums have looked fuller and, where before American fans were outnumbered by the visitors, more red, white and blue, together, was present. Soccer jerseys sold by the thousands... and just in time for Korea Japan 2002. For not only did this win solidify the US as the number one team in the conference, it also carried them all the way to the quarterfinals of that tournament. The game against Germany was stolen, we know.

And ever since that Dos a Cero, the US has been Number One in qualifying standings, winning every single qualifier home game versus the Aztecas by the same score: Dos a Cero. Columbus takes the credit. The heart of working class America gave us our working class heroes. For that is what the US is know for abroad: teamwork, allegiance, understanding.

Dos a Cero lit up the scoreboard and re-lit MLS: after that we received Donovan, Beasley, Howard, Dempsey, Altidore. Dos a Cero made us smile, cry, dream. This is for you, the fans. We cheer on with every goal scored, missed, surrendered. It doesn't matter. That's why we are fans of the game. Dos a Cero became a poem in our futbol hearts. Cheers to 10 years since that victory.