Right at home — Big crowd watches U.S. win qualifier

Looks like the U.S. National Team found a new home.

Playing in front of a partisan American crowd — a rarity in this country — the United States took a gigantic step toward qualifying for the 2006 World Cup with a convincing 3-0 victory over Costa Rica Saturday at Rice-Eccles Stadium.

"It's really the first time we've felt so at home in qualifying," said U.S. coach Bruce Arena about the 40,586 fans, the sixth-largest crowd for a World Cup qualifier on American soil.

Thanks to a pair of goals from Landon Donovan, and several outstanding saves from keeper Kasey Keller, the U.S. gave itself a bit of breathing room in CONCACAF qualifying.

The win improved the United States' qualifying record to 3-1-0, good enough for nine points in the standings. That gives the Americans a five-point cushion over Costa Rica, Guatemala and Trinidad & Tobago, who are all stuck on four points with six of 10 qualifying matches remaining.

The United States could've easily been stuck in the log jam were it not for the play of Keller.

After a dominating first-half performance by the U.S., the Costa Ricans came out with a renewed purpose in the second half. Keller was equal to every one of those challenges.

Whether it was his fully extended diving save in the 47th minute or his point-blank reactionary save in the 60th, Keller helped the U.S. maintain its 1-0 lead throughout the first quarter hour of the second half.

"Kasey Keller really saved us at the beginning of the second half. He single-handedly won the game for us," said U.S. defender Eddie Pope. "It's always great to have a goalkeeper behind you who's a game changer."

The U.S.'s struggles in the opening 15 minutes of the second half had as much to do with Costa Rica's solid play as did the United States' lethargic effort.

"You've got to give them credit, they put us on our heels," said U.S. midfielder Steve Ralston. "When we won the ball, we gave it right back. When we won the ball, we should've done a better job of keeping possession."

Down a goal entering the final 30 minutes, Costa Rica started pushing even more bodies into the attack, which Donovan capitalized on with his 21st international goal in the 62nd minute.

After Costa Rica keeper Alvaro Mesen made an excellent diving save on a Brian McBride header, Donovan was right there to pounce on the soft rebound and put the U.S. up 2-0.