By Ronald Blum, AP Sports Writer
2/28/2005
Topics: Terrorists, Americans, illegal immigration, sports, Osama, Hatred of the US

MEXICO CITY - When Landon Donovan got to the locker room at halftime and the United States trailed by two goals, he already sensed that the Americans' hopes for their first win in Mexico had vanished. "My main concern," he said, "was let's make sure we don't get blown out." The United States played better in the second half, but it was too late.

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Mexico's 2-1 victory in a World Cup qualifier on Sunday left the huge crowd of about 110,000 in Azteca Stadium both happy and relieved.

It avenged the Tricolores' painful loss from three years ago, restored their status as the top team in the region and kept up a 68-year tradition of never losing to the Americans at home.

"To get a result in Azteca is always pretty difficult," U.S. midfielder Eddie Lewis said. "Maybe we're just not quite ready yet."

There isn't much time for the Americans to recover. They play Guatemala on Wednesday at Birmingham, Ala., their first home match in the 10-game final qualifying round.

"Now," goalkeeper Kasey Keller said, "the real pressure is on."

Lewis scored the lone U.S. goal in the 59th minute off a feed from Donovan, the first goal in Mexico for the Americans since 1984. Mexico imposed its will for most of the game, getting goals from Jared Borgetti in the 30th minute and Antonio Naelson in the 33rd.

For now, Mexico City's 7,200-foot altitude remains too high an obstacle for the U.S. team to climb. The Americans are 0-22-1 in Mexico, getting their lone point from a 0-0 tie in a 1997 qualifier.

"We were always taking the initiative," said Mexico coach Ricardo Lavolpe, who received a congratulatory call from President Vicente Fox. "For 90 minutes, there was only one team on the field."

There was some booing and whistling during "The Star-Spangled Banner," but the Americans expected worse. After the game, about 100 people gathered for a peaceful celebration near Mexico City's Angel of Independence monument. A few first tried to burn, then trampled a small American flag while chanting "Osama! Osama!"

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