The Record (Hackensack N.J.)

(MCT)

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Bob Bradley must have been a proud father, even if his coaching persona wouldn't allow him to admit it.

Always the uncontroversial strategist during interviews, Bradley would talk only about behaving as a professional after his son Michael scored both goals in Wednesday's 2-0 victory over Mexico in a World Cup qualifier.

Still, the postgame news conference was noticeably a family affair.

"I have three children and I'm proud of all my kids," Coach Bradley said with his son sitting next to him as the Player of the Match. "I have a great family and I'm a lucky man, but it has nothing to do with whether we were going to win or lose tonight."

Michael Bradley's heroics gave the U.S. the upper hand in the CONCACAF World Cup qualifying group, already dispatching of what many consider as the America's most dangerous opponent. But there are still nine games remaining in the hexagonal round - five on the road - and Coach Bradley said he was cautiously optimistic about qualifying for South Africa in 2010.

The game also had moments of animosity that have come to define this heated rivalry between bordering nations. Mexican defender and captain Rafael Marquez was ejected after attempting to sidekick U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard, igniting a brief shoving match.

There also was a confrontation in the tunnel after the game, requiring Coach Bradley and security guards to intervene, according to witnesses.

"After the game, sometimes the emotions run high. It was nothing," the elder Bradley said. "As I've said over and over, I have great respect for Mexico."

Michael Bradley, 22, scored the game-winner in the 41st minute, finding a loose ball in a scrum inside Mexico's penalty area. It was his fourth international goal and also his most important, helping to extend an 11-game unbeaten streak at home against Mexico.

His second goal was the exclamation point in stoppage time - a 30-yard dart that bounced under Mexican goalie Oswaldo Sanchez.

The sold out crowd of 23,776 was mostly pro-American, although pockets of Mexican fans were scattered across the soccer-specific Crew Stadium.

A violent storm hit the area about 25 minutes before the scheduled kickoff, with 50 mph winds strong enough to shake the foundation of the tented press box. Stadium crew members pushed water away from the field with rollers, hoping to maintain the integrity of a pitch both coaches praised in pregame interviews. But the wind and wetness persisted throughout most match.

The 50-degree erratic weather wasn't what the U.S. expected, or hoped for. Columbus was a strategic choice for the Americans because of its frigid winters and small Mexican population. The U.S. defeated Mexico twice before at Crew Stadium, once when the temperature was in the 30s.

But as Mexico coach Sven-Goran Eriksson pointed out before the game, "It rains a lot in Mexico."

So with its environmental advantage somewhat negated, the U.S. took a while to settle. Bradley's first goal - which was off a rebound that started from a corner kick - gave the U.S. a reason to feel confident despite an uneven first half.

Just seconds before Marquez's ejection in the 65th minute, Mexico would have tied the match if striker Giovani Dos Santos wasn't lying on the grass, presumably because he thought the play was dead. The ball missed Dos Santos' outstretched feet by centimeters as it crossed an open goalmouth.