Josh Wolff always proved to be a tough cookie on the field for the U.S. national team, as he proved against Mexico in 2001. (Andy Mead/YCJ Photo)

With the United States and Mexico looking ahead to for their international friendly in Nashville, Tenn. Sept. 11, FrontRowSoccer.com is looking back at some of the most memorable matches between these two archrivals. Today, we look back at the very first dos a cero confrontation in Columbus, Ohio in 2001.

By Michael Lewis

COLUMBUS, Ohio — A half hour into the match with Mexico, the U.S. was living its worst World Cup nightmare. The Americans already had lost their most dangerous scoring threat, Brian McBride to a swollen eye, and their best playmaker, Claudio Reyna, was hobbling around with a strained groin muscle.

In McBride’s place came an energetic and swift, 24-year-old forward who had all of four international games under his belt. But Josh Wolff wound up as the unlikely hero in a dream performance in a stunning 2-0 triumph over Mexico on Feb. 28, 2001. Wolff scored the first goal and setting up the second in a game that definitely put Mexican coach Enrique Meza on the hot seat as Mexico’s winless streak hit six games (0-5-1).

The win, only the third time the U.S. had beaten in the Mexicans in World Cup qualifying, gave the Americans three points and a share of the lead in the final-round group along with Jamaica (1-0), which defeated Trinidad & Tobago, 1-0. The last time the U.S. had defeated Mexico in qualifying was a 2-1 victory in Fort Lauderdale on Nov. 23, 1980, and that was after the Americans were eliminated.

“It was a great win for the U.S. team,” coach Bruce Arena said. “We obviously faced a lot of adversity. I am really pleased the team pull together in the second half.”

Asked if he could put the result into historic perspective, Arena replied, “Not really. It’s a long haul. You can’t make more out of today than it really is . . . We’re very happy to protect our home turf.”

The U.S. specifically picked Columbus as its venue, playing during the mid-winter and 29 degrees in a gamesmanship effort to knock the Mexicans off their game.

Wolff replaced McBride, the U.S.’s most dangerous scoring threat in the 15th minute. McBride had suffered a swollen right eye after he was elbowed in the face. The U.S. also lost Reyna to a moderate left groin strain in the 43rd minute and was replaced by Clint Mathis.

Wolff took center stage in the second half.

With the second half barely a minute old, defender Jeff Agoos cleared a Mexican shot out of the penalty area to Joe-Max Moore, who knocked the ball to Mathis. Mathis launched a 30-yard pass to the streaking Wolff, who beat wandering goalkeeper Jorge Campos outside of the penalty area. The ball bounded off Campos’s knee and Wolff twirled around and found himself with an empty goal to shot at from 16 yards for his second international goal and a precious 1-0 lead.

“It’s a tough spot for a goalkeeper,” Wolff said. “I used my speed a little bit and got there first.”

Added Meza, “The goal was accidental.”

Wolff turned playmaker in the 88th minute. He beat defenders Claudio Suarez and Alberto Macias on the right side of the box and found Stewart, who slotted it home from 12 yards.

The U.S. also played well defensively as goalkeeper Brad Friedel made four saves, including denying Francisco Palencia from 10 yards in the 69th minute.

Agoos and his teammates took turns covering the always dangerous Luis Hernandez.

“We knew if they got a goal early it would have been an uphill struggle,” he said. “I think we could have played a little better. Any time we can get a win with the atmosphere here, it was a great feeling.”

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.