On the back of an Eddie Johnson header and a late Landon Donovan finish, the United States Men's National Team defeated archrivals Mexico in a match that nearly clinched a spot for the team in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Johnson's goal, a header from a Donovan free kick in the 49th minute, gave the USA a lead early in the second half. The go-ahead strike was the fourth for Johnson in 2014 World Cup Qualifiers, and a welcome addition in the stead of injured Jozy Altidore.
Donovan added to the goal tally himself in the 78th with a sliding finish of a Mix Diskerud cross that clinched the match for the United States.
The goal was the first in the 2014 qualifying campaign for Donovan, but the veteran extended his all-time United States records for both goals (47) and assists (48) in the match.
Unlike their 3-1 loss in a disappointing showing in Costa Rica on Friday, which broke the team's 12-game winning streak, the United States was able to stay strong on defense to earn goalkeeper Tim Howard a shutout.
Howard was the hero for the first half of the match, making three crucial diving saves of excellent Mexican efforts before the half. The shutout was the 30th of Howard's international career.
The United States kept a clean sheet despite the loss of defender Matt Besler and defensive midfielder Geoff Cameron, who were both suspended after the loss in Costa Rica due to yellow card accumulation. Clarence Goodson, who was called into the team's camp after the loss, started alongside Carlos Gonzalez, and despite a tentative start, the pair kept Mexican threats like Javier Hernandez and Giovani Dos Santos out of Howard's goal.
The win brought the USA to 19 points in their CONCACAF qualifying group, and with a Honduras win or tie later in the evening, the team could lose their remaining matches and still go to Brazil next summer.
The loss kept Mexico at just 8 points, 11 back of the United States. Mexico relieved their former head coach Jose Manuel Chepo of his duties after their embarrassing 2-1 home loss to Honduras Friday, and many believe that a loss by interim head Coach Luis Fernando Tena could spell doom after only one game for the coach.
