1999 U.S. Cup - March 13, 1999: Second Doubleheader

March 13, 1999: Second Doubleheader

The second doubleheader in the 1999 Nike U.S. Cup took place on a clear, 70 F day in San Diego, California. In the first game, the U.S. and Mexico met for the title. The game turned against the U.S. in the 17th minute. José Manuel Abundis carried the ball down the left side of the field before sending a cross in towards Francisco Palencia. U.S. defender Robin Fraser closed on Palencia, but Fraser slipped and the cross ran off his body into the net for an own goal. In the melee in front of the goal, Palencia struck U.S. starting goalkeeper Tony Meola in the face, putting him out of the game. While Meola and U.S. coach Bruce Arena later argued that Palencia had delibertly struck Meola in the face, no foul was called and the goal counted. The goal held until the 51st minute when Frankie Hejduk scored his second goal of the tournament with a first time shot off a Fraser cross. However, Mexico struck back six minutes later when Joel Sanchez shot from 12 yards out. Backup U.S. keeper Zach Thornton blocked the shot, but the rebound went to Abundis who scored from two yards out. The U.S. pressed for an equalizer, but Mexico's defense held and Mexico took the game and the 1999 Nike U.S. Cup title.

United States: Tony Meola (Zach Thornton 17’), Jeff Agoos, Robin Fraser, Eddie Pope (Ben Olsen 68’), 3-David Regis, Eddie Lewis (Clint Mathis 83’), Chris Armas, Jovan Kirovski, Frankie Hejduk, Cobi Jones, Brian McBride

Mexico: Oscar Perez, Joel Sanchez, Pável Pardo, Salvador Carmona (Miguel Zepeda 46’), Joaquin Beltran, Rual Lara, Alberto Garcia Aspe, Rafael Garcia (Ramon Ramirez 60’), Cuauhtémoc Blanco (Luis Hernandez 46’), Francisco Palencia, (Paulo Chavez 57’), José Manuel Abundis (Ricardo Peláez 77)