U.S. Experiences Growing Pains

The United States looked up Wednesday, and saw that the marks on the wall were getting higher.

As the U.S. under-23 men’s soccer team continues to measure itself in preparation for the Summer Olympics, it took its 3-2 loss to Mexico’s under-23 team at Cal State Fullerton as a sign of growth.

“Win or lose, we knew it was just going to be a measuring stick,” said A.J. Wood, who tied the score in the 35th minute. “They had their way with us and we had our way with them.”

But Mexico had its way in the end. After a 2-2 halftime tie, Mexico dominated the second half. Eddie Pope was called for a foul in the 61st minute after he tripped Jesus Arellano to set up a free kick for Mexico.

Manuel Sol took the kick and placed it into the upper left corner of the net for the winning goal before 8,116 at Titan Stadium.

Despite the loss, its first in an international game since Coach Bruce Arena took over in January, the United States considered the game a sign it can compete against good competition. Mexico had seven players from its CONCACAF Gold Cup winning team.

Mexico was awarded a penalty kick in the 12th minute, however, after the United States’ Matt McKeon was given a yellow card for elbowing. U.S. players were surprised by the call, which came even though the foul apparently was committed after goalkeeper Chris Snitko was in control of the ball.

“We could go to remote Fiji island and we would never get that call at an away game,” Wood said.

Cuauhtemoc Blanco placed the ball in the upper corner of the net.

Mexico silenced any complaints about an unfair call by scoring again right away on a well-executed play.

A minute later, Blanco sent a perfect cross to the far post where Jesus Arellano headed it in.

The United States did not flag, however, and scored seven minutes later after being awarded a penalty kick. Imad Baba sent a ground ball past Mexico goalkeeper Oscar Perez.

Wood tied it after receiving a cross from Baba at the far post and volleying it into net.

There was much to be learned for the United States’ first-half performance.

“We learned that we are making progress,” Arena said.

The second half, however, showed they still have a lot of work to do.

Things fell apart for the United States after McKeon was given his second yellow card and ejected in the 82nd minute.

“The last 15 minutes of the game, I’m not concerned with the opportunities Mexico had,” Arena said.

Playing a man down, Snitko came under siege. He finished with four saves.

“We’re making progress. Give us a couple more months and we’ll be ready to go,” Snitko said.