USA clinches spot in 2014 World Cup in Brazil

The U.S. Men’s’ National Soccer Team clinched a spot in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil with a 2-0 win over Mexico in Columbus, Ohio on September 10. It will be the seventh consecutive World Cup

for the Americans and the victory came courtesy of goals by Landon Donovan and Eddie Johnson. The Americans took the lead through Johnson in the 49th minute when he headed in a Donovan corner kick and Donovan scored the insurance goal in the 78th minute. Clint Dempsey should have made it 3-0, but shot wide on a penalty kick in the 93rd minute.

The U.S. is currently in first place in the CONCACAF qualifying group with a record of 5-2-1. Their 16 points are one more than second-place Costa Rica, who also clinched a berth at next year’s World Cup with a 1-1 tie against Jamaica. There are still two qualifying matches remaining, but the top three teams are guaranteed a place in the 32-team tournament and the Americans can’t finish any worse than third. Things don’t look too good for Mexico though as they’re presently in fifth place. The fourth place team in the CONCACAF group will meet New Zealand in a two-game playoff series with the winner heading to Brazil next June.