CHONJU (South Korea), June 17: The United States defied the odds to reach the quarterfinals on Monday after goals by Brian McBride and Landon Donovan upset neighbours Mexico 2-0.

The US, who reached the semifinals of the first World Cup in 1930 by playing just two games, soaked up long periods of Mexico pressure and hit them on the break to set up a last-eight meeting with Germany.

Mexico, whose captain Rafael Marquez was sent off near the end, failed to produce any of the quick-fire moves that characterised their impressive first round campaign.

They did appear to have a good case for a penalty in the 56th minute when US midfielder John O’Brien punched away a corner, but again failed to live up to expectations as they bowed out in the second round for the third successive World Cup.

The US victory was the latest in a series of surprise results at the 2002 World Cup, including Senegal and Denmark beating world champions France, the Americans defeating Portugal and Croatia overcoming Italy, all in the first round.

In a bad-tempered match also featuring 10 yellow cards, the 47th between the traditional on and off-pitch rivals but first at the World Cup finals, the US always looked dangerous on the counter-attack and went ahead after eight minutes.

The goal was a reward for quick-thinking and neat footwork by midfielder Claudio Reyna who picked up a quickly taken free kick and advanced purposefully to the byline on the right.

The US captain managed to deliver a low cross which Josh Wolff, a surprise starter up front, laid back into the path of striker McBride, who fired it home crisply from near the penalty spot.

Mexico had most of the ball but did little with it, and a frustrated Aguirre introduced veteran forward Luis Hernandez in the 28th minute in place of midfielder Ramon Morales.

Hernandez, who scored four goals in Mexico’s run to the second round four years ago, immediately added some verve and US keeper Brad Friedel was forced into a good save as he tipped over a rising drive by Cuauhtemoc Blanco.

The Americans barely threatened but could easily have made it 2-0 when Wolff found himself unmarked in the area but shot tamely against the legs of Mexico keeper Oscar Perez.

Mexico came out fighting after the break, laying siege to the US goal with a series of corners and free kicks and O’Brien was lucky not to give away a penalty when he used his hand to clear one.

Marquez was shown the red card for a head-butt as the Mexicans became increasingly frustrated and the U. missed a great chance to add a third in the dying seconds when Donovan blazed the ball wildly over with the goal at his mercy.—Reuters