FOXBORO, Massachusetts, 16 July 2003 — Brian McBride struck twice before half-time to lead the United States to a 2-0 CONCACAF Gold Cup Group C victory over Martinique on Monday.
In an earlier game, Cuba scored a shock 2-0 win over Canada in Group D.
The US powered through to the quarterfinals by securing their second successive win in the tournament.
In the first-ever meeting between the two sides, Martinique posed little threat in attack but the Americans were also below their best. The defending champions dominated the match but rarely tested Martinique goalkeeper Eddy Heurlie.
The US, who defeated El Salvador 2-0 on Saturday, went in front after 39 minutes when Steve Ralston crossed for McBride to head in. Four minutes later, McBride grabbed his 23rd international goal with another header from a centre by Ralston.
Martinique did not get a shot on target until the 56th minute. Bobby Convey failed to control the ball and goalkeeper Kasey Keller did well to parry Jose Gordon’s vicious shot from 24 meters.
Martinique were reduced to 10 men in the 90th minute when Yann Girier-Dufournier was sent off for a second yellow card after a tackle on Landon Donovan.
Earlier, Lester More scored twice in Cuba’s 2-0 victory over Canada.
The Group D win was the first-ever for the Cubans in the regional championship, and also their first against the Canadians.
Canada, who beat Costa Rica 1-0 on Saturday, are now level on points with Cuba, who play Costa Rica today in the final match of the group.
Cuba, who lost two warm-up matches against Panama last month, attacked from the start against Canada and went ahead in the 15th minute.
Jaime Colome crossed from the right and More stole in behind defender Paul Fenwick to give goalkeeper Lars Hirschfeld no chance.
United Close in on Ronaldinho
In Manchester, England, Manchester United are close to completing a deal for Brazil midfielder Ronaldinho, manager Alex Ferguson said yesterday.
United have been involved in lengthy negotiations with Paris St Germain and are reported to have offered the French first division club up to 20 million pounds ($32.24 million) for the 23-year-old World Cup winner.
“We are pursuing the Ronaldinho thing very intensely now. It’s getting to that stage where it’s maybe just about there,” Ferguson told a news conference.
“We don’t want to say it’s certain until it actually is certain, but we’re very close.”
Ronaldinho’s agent and brother Roberto Assis said he hoped the deal would be concluded this week.
Female Referee Appointed
for UEFA Cup Match
In Nyon, Switzerland, a female referee will take charge of a UEFA Cup match for the first time next month, European soccer’s governing body said yesterday.
Nicole Petignat of Switzerland has been chosen to referee the UEFA Cup first qualifying round first-leg game between AIK Solna of Sweden and Iceland’s Fylkir on Aug. 14.
The 36-year-old Petignat joined the FIFA International List in 1996 and has been refereeing top-flight matches in Switzerland for the past four years. She also took charge of the 1999 Women’s World Cup final.
