Bradley's Brace Against Mexico

On This Day in 2009, the Coach's Son Nabs Both Goals in the Third Dos-a-Cero Victory in Columbus

The United States entered their opening Hexagonal match against Mexico, riding a remarkable streak of dominance on home soil against their biggest rivals. Since 2000, the Americans had compiled an impressive 8-0-2 record against El Tri in the United States, including two previous 2-0 victories in World Cup Qualifying at Columbus Crew Stadium in 2001 and 2005

For Mexico, pressure was mounting on Swedish manager Sven-Goran Eriksson. El Tri had barely squeaked into the final round of qualifying, having won just one of their previous seven matches. The former England manager's job security was increasingly tenuous as Mexico prepared to face its northern neighbors in conditions far from ideal for the visitors.

Conditions became even more challenging on February 11. With a tornado watch in effect and wind and rain whipping through central Ohio, fans were initially advised to stay in their cars before the 7 p.m. kickoff. But the sold-out crowd of 23,776—tickets had been claimed in just 90 minutes—eventually made their way into Crew Stadium, creating an overwhelmingly pro-American atmosphere.

"When we first came out to warm up, there were quite a few Mexicans - I think they got here early," midfielder Landon Donovan told reporters afterward. "When we came out to kick off, the majority of people were Americans. They were great. They were very loud."

The match started cautiously, with Mexico creating the first real chance in the 3rd minute when Giovani dos Santos forced Tim Howard into a point-blank save. The Americans gradually gained control of possession, and Clint Dempsey nearly opened the scoring in the 30th minute, but this was denied by Mexican goalkeeper Oswaldo Sánchez.

The breakthrough finally came in the 43rd minute through Michael Bradley, who was enjoying a breakthrough season with Borussia Mönchengladbach in the Bundesliga. The 21-year-old midfielder, who had scored his first goal for the German club against Bayern Munich just three months prior, found himself in the right place at the right time after a well-worked corner kick. DaMarcus Beasley's delivery found Donovan at the far post, who headed it back across goal. Oguchi Onyewu's powerful header was saved by Sánchez, but Bradley pounced on the rebound from six yards out.

"It was a great corner from [Beasley], and Landon did a great job heading it back," Bradley explained afterward. "It was not so hard for me to put it in." 

The match turned ugly in the 65th minute when Mexico captain Rafael Márquez was shown a straight red card for a dangerous high kick on Howard. The American goalkeeper was shown a yellow card himself in the aftermath - forcing him to miss the next qualifier at El Salvador through suspension - but downplayed the incident: "It's not a game where you want to lose your discipline," Howard said. "I was more frustrated that I hurt my knee [on the play] more than anything."

Playing with a man advantage, the Americans controlled the latter stages and Bradley sealed the victory in second-half stoppage time. After receiving a pass from Donovan, he unleashed a shot from 28 yards that dipped under Sánchez's arms.

The victory marked the Americans' third consecutive 2-0 qualifying win over Mexico in Columbus, cementing the venue's reputation as a fortress for the U.S. team. Bob Bradley was proud as a father and coach. However, he remained characteristically measured in his post-match comments.

"I have three children and I've got to tell you, I'm proud of all of my kids," the elder Bradley said diplomatically. "I have a great family, and I'm a lucky man."

The result gave the United States a perfect start to the final round of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa while casting further doubt over Eriksson's future with Mexico. The Americans would next travel to El Salvador on March 28th to build on their momentum despite Howard's suspension.