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Mexico beats U.S. again

Team USA falls 4-0 in Pan Am Game semifinals

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Posted: Wednesday August 04, 1999 11:46 PM

WINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) -- Mexico has long been a soccer power in its region. And despite gains the last decade by the United States, it can still dominate its neighbor to the north.

For the second time in four days, Mexico beat the United States in the semifinal of an international soccer tournament, winning 4-0 Wednesday to reach the title match at the Pan Am Games.

Alvaro Ortiz scored twice in the first 19 minutes and Mexico rolled past the overwhelmed American squad, sending the Mexicans to a meeting with Honduras and leaving the United States to play Canada for the bronze.

"It is a relatively modern rivalry," Mexican coach Jose Luis Real said. "Beating the United States is nothing special. But because the United States is coming closer to Mexico, it's making it special."

Mexico pushed quickly and went ahead after ony seven minutes on the first goal by Ortiz, who put in a rebound from 12 meters.

A defensive lapse by Steve Shak gave the ball just outside the penalty area to Emilio Mora, who sent a low roller on the right flank to Ortiz.

Ortiz one-timed a blast past helpless American goalkeeper Adin Brown, giving Mexico more than enough to beat the Americans.

U.S. coach Clive Charles insisted that Mexico's 1-0 extra time victory over the United States in Saturday's Confederations Cup semifinal in Mexico City never entered the minds of his players, just concentration ring for next year's Olympic qualifying.

"We've done well to get where we've gotten," said Charles, whobrought an amalgamated squad of under-17s, under-20s and under-23s to Winnipeg. "It's a young team. Our mission was to find out who we could bring in January, and get to the medal round.

"We have to beat Mexico in April. We are here to prepare for Olympic qualifying. We must never lose site of that."

Mexico brought nearly its entie under-23 side to Winnipeg and rarely was seriously threatened by its younger American counterparts.

After setting up Ortiz, Mora scored one of his own less than two minutes before halftime and Jose Mendoza closed out the victory in the 85th.

The United States still has one more chance to beat Mexico this week, that in the final of the Pan Ams women's tournament on Thursday, where the Americans will be heavy favorites.

 

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