SOCCER Pope nets U.S. a 1-0 victory

The United States defeated Mexico for the sixth time in eight meetings.
DALLAS (AP) -- Eddie Pope scored in injury time to give the United States a 1-0 victory over Mexico on Wednesday night in an exhibition match.
Pope knocked in the rebound of a missed shot by Taylor Twellman from about 5 yards out to give the United States its sixth win in eight meetings with Mexico, including a 2-0 victory in the second round of the 2002 World Cup. The two countries played to a scoreless tie the last time they met, last May at Reliant Stadium in Houston.
Injury time is extra time added to a game as compensation for time used up by injuries.
Pope's goal was set up by a free kick by Bobby Convey after U.S. midfielder Landon Donovan had been fouled. Convey's free kick was headed by Twellman and deflected by Mexico goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez.
"I felt like we got to every corner kick and free kick out wide, pretty much the whole game," Pope said. "Finally Taylor Twellman got a good head on goal and we were able to finally finish one off."
Walker has first shutout
The U.S. defense held Mexico without a shot on goal as goalkeeper Jonny Walker registered his first career shutout in international play. Mexico has failed to score in the last 434 minutes against the Americans.
"I think the better team won," U.S. national team coach Bruce Arena said. "I think the U.S had the best chances in the game and deserved to win"
The crowd of about 45,000 at the Cotton Bowl was predominantly Mexican fans.
The United States, which was missing most of its European-based players, squandered numerous chances to score throughout the game before Pope's goal. Twellman's header from 5 yards out in the 75th minute was barely deflected by Sanchez for a save.
Donovan had two excellent chances to score in the first half. Donovan's shot in the 33rd minute from outside the left corner of the penalty area hit the crossbar. In the 37th minute, Sanchez made a leaping save on another shot by Donovan.
"We're just persistent and we knew it would come, we just didn't want it to come that late," Convey said.
The U.S. national team has a final tuneup June 2 against Honduras in Foxboro, Mass.
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