United States 1, Mexico 0

DENVER (AP) _ Bruce Arena's vision of his World Cup team is becoming clearer. <br><br>``Without a doubt this helps clean up some decisions I have to make, and we're getting closer,'' the

Thursday, April 4th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

DENVER (AP) _ Bruce Arena's vision of his World Cup team is becoming clearer.

``Without a doubt this helps clean up some decisions I have to make, and we're getting closer,'' the U.S. coach said after the Americans' 1-0 victory over Mexico on Wednesday night. ``I think after the game in Ireland, we'll be able to make some firm decisions.''

The United States has four more exhibitions before the World Cup begins in June: April 17 at Ireland; May 12 against Uruguay at Washington; May 16 against Jamaica at East Rutherford, N.J.; and May 19 against the Netherlands at Foxboro, Mass.

The victory over Mexico was the United States' eighth in 10 games this year and its seventh straight shutout at home. The Americans have won four of their past five games against Mexico, but had to overcome a slow start to do it.

The Americans were unorganized offensively in the first half and managed just one shot. In the second, they worked the ball around better and had several good scoring chances before Clint Mathis scored in the 66th minute.

``The Mexican team did a great job pressuring us. We were fortunate to go into halftime even,'' Arena said. ``We played extremely well in the second half and deserved to win the game. It's been a tough four months of preparation for the World Cup and in all honesty, some of our players were simply exhausted today.''

Mathis scored after Mexican goalie Oscar Perez and defender Manuel Vidrio collided.

Carlos Llamosa sent a long ball down the right side. Vidrio tried to head the ball away, but ran into the charging Perez and both players fell.

Mathis waited for the ball to bounce, kicked it out of the air and watched anxiously as the ball hit the inside of the crossbar and barely went into the goal.

``I didn't think we would get anything out of it, but I went for it anyway,'' Mathis said. ``Luckily, the guys collided and the ball came to me. I made it a bit dramatic by hitting the post, but a goal's a goal. We'll take it how they come.''

Small pockets of American fans, overwhelmed by the large contingent of Mexican supporters most of the night, rose to their feet and waved U.S. flags after the goal.

It was Mathis' eighth international goal and his seventh straight game with a point. He had both goals in the United States' last game, a 4-2 loss in Germany on March 27.

``He's obviously a very good player. He scores goals,'' Arena said. ``He has a lot of confidence. He can hold the ball and bring his teammates into the game. He's the complete package, I think, in an attacking player. He brings a lot of confidence to our team.''

Mexico outshot the United States 9-6, but had just three shots in the second half.

The game was physical _ 40 fouls and six misconducts _ and featured several heated exchanges.

Mexico's Alberto Garcia Aspe and American Frankie Hejduk received red cards in the 90th minute after getting into a shoving match in the corner.

Mexican midfielder Braulio Luna yelled and gestured at the Americans several times after tackles, and Perez charged out of the box after a tackle by Hejduk.

Mexican coach Javier Aguirre had to be restrained after Melvin Brown knocked into American DeMarcus Beasley at the end of the first half. Aguirre had an animated discussion with the officials for several minutes on the field during halftime.

Mexico's Carlos Ochoa appeared to have a goal in the seventh minute after one-touching a cross to the right corner of the goal, but he was ruled offsides.

Mexico played without captain Claudio Suarez, who broke his leg during practice Tuesday. Suarez is expected to be out 6-to-8 weeks and his availability for the World Cup is uncertain.

Aguirre said his team struggled to keep its focus after losing Suarez and that it wasn't mentally prepared to play.

``It was an ugly game, but a good experience for the younger guys,'' Aguirre said.

U.S. goalie Tony Meola, playing in his 98th international game, had two saves.

A crowd of 48,476 attended the United States' first full international game in Denver since 1992, but many were there to support Mexico.

Many fans wore the jerseys of their favorite Mexican League teams, some had on large sombreros and others painted their faces with the colors of the Mexican flag.

The stadium shook as fans stomped and did the wave as the Colorado Rapids and D.C. United opened the doubleheader with an MLS game. Thousands of red, white and green flags waved throughout the stadium when Mexico took the field for warmups, and several chants of ``Mexico! Mexico!'' rang out during the game.

A few fights broke out in the stands and fans threw food, plastic bottles and rolls of toilet paper on the field after Luna received a yellow card for a hard tackle on Hejduk.