A B C D
E F G H
United States kicks Canada
The Americans blanked punchless Canada by the identical 3-0 score of an earlier matchup in California when the U.S. showcased its clear superiority in all phases of the game.
Canada wasn't even close in the rematch. Claudio Reyna scored in the fifth minute and Roy Wegerle added two late goals in the decisive decision that officially eliminated the Canadians in the final qualifying round.
"In the last couple years the United States has established itself as a team that should be at or near the top of the group," said American striker Eric Wynalda. "We've done extremely well because we're the first team to beat Canada here. That says a lot."
With one game remaining in CONCACAF zone qualifying, Mexico has 17 points, the U.S. 14, Jamaica 13, El Salvador 10, Costa Rica nine and Canada six.
The top three teams qualify for the next World Cup. Canada finishes its schedule Nov. 16 at Costa Rica in a meaningless contest for a country that considered itself a World Cup contender earlier in the year.
"This is really devastating," said Canadian goalkeeper Paul Dolan. "Even though we don't have a spot at the World Cup to play for, you hope for a good result.
"We played well enough to get a draw."
Some Canadian players complained about the lack of offside calls on two of the goals by the Colombian officials assigned by governing body FIFA.
"I certainly don't want to blame the officiating," said Canadian coach Bob Lenarduzzi. "We played quite well in the first half, but we certainly didn't in the second.
"We've got to get to the stage where we don't appear to be as intimidated as we did today against the Americans."
Dolan made his first start of the final round, replacing Craig Forrest, who remained with his club team at West Ham in England. Dolan had little chance on any of the goals as the depleted Canadian lineup struggled in defending.
Reyna and Wegerle worked well alongside Wynalda as the Americans showed superior skill when on attack.
"I'm excited that I got to score, but the most important thing is that the team was successful," said Reyna. "We played as a team and that's how we're going to be successful in France, too."
After American players paraded around Swangard Stadium in joyous celebration, excited U.S. coach Steve Sampson joined in the celebrations by high-fiving fans before he got to the locker-room.
"This means we can continue our growth," Sampson said. "We can try and bring in those fans who are sitting on the fence, try and embrace them and make soccer a major sport in the States."
Reyna's opening goal set the tone. He fired into an empty net after Wegerle broke free and drew Dolan to the side before passing to the wide-open Reyna.
World Cup notes>: The game was a sellout with an announced crowd of 8,420, nearly 3,000 of them fans from the U.S. . . . Canada used substitutes Domenic Mobilio, Garret Kusch and Geoff Aunger in the second half . . . Canada has scored only four goals in nine games this round . . . Canadian striker Carlo Corazzin will not be available for the next game as he rejoins Plymouth Argyle in England . . . The shutout was the second straight for U.S. goalkeeper Brad Friedel.
NEXT ROUNDS: Round of 16 || Quarter-finals || Semi-finals
GROUP A: Brazil, Morocco, Norway, Scotland
GROUP B: Austria, Cameroon, Chile, Italy
GROUP C: Denmark, France, Saudi Arabia, South Africa
GROUP D: Bulgaria, Nigeria, Paraguay, Spain
GROUP E: Belgium, Holland, Mexico, South Korea
GROUP F: Germany, Iran, United States, Yugoslavia
GROUP G: Colombia, England, Romania, Tunisia
GROUP H: Argentina, Croatia, Jamaica, Japan