United States Clinch World Cup Bid

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Despite being shorthanded for their matchup with rival Mexico, the United States Men’s National Team scored two goals in the second half on their way to a 2-0 victory Tuesday night. An hour after celebrating their win over Mexico, the United States celebrated their clinched bid to Brazil for the 2014 Word Cup following a 2-2 tie with Honduras and Panama.

With their clinch, the United States will make their seventh straight appearance in the World Cup. The streak of seven straight World Cup appearances is seventh in the world.

At the 49th minute, Landon Donovan set up for a corner kick, finding teammate Eddie Johnson, who bullied his way into position for a header goal to give the United States a 1-0 lead. Roughly 30 minutes later, substitute Mix Diskerud set up Donovan for a late insurance goal.

Many of the 24,584 fans who filled the stadium stayed after to watch the Honduras and Panama matchup on the screen in the stadium. An hour following their win over Mexico, the United States team briefly came out of the locker room, walking a lap on the field with the country’s flags and popped champagne bottles with the fans who stuck around celebrating their bid in the World Cup.

With their win and Costa Rica’s tie with Jamaica, the United States (5-2-1) moved into first place in the North and Central American and Caribbean finals of World Cup qualifying.

Mexico, playing their first game with interim head coach Luis Fernando Tena, put early pressure on the United States, including their best goal scoring opportunity at the 20th minute. Their loss put them 1-2-5 and still looking for answers.

The United States had to win without the likes of Michael Bradley due to an injury and Matt Besler, Geoff Cameron, and Jozy Altidore for serving yellow-card suspensions. Shuffling their lineup, head coach Jurgen Klinsmann found big plays from Donovan and Johnson to help lead the United States to victory.

“Obviously this is a huge, huge evening for all of us,” Klinsmann said. “It’s a huge milestone whenever you make it to a World Cup.”

Follow Brandon Boles on Twitter: @BrandonBoles

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