June 10, 2002

DAEGU, South Korea — Former Gamecock Clint Mathis scored the lone goal in the United States’ 1-1 tie with host South Korea on Monday, keeping the United States’ hopes of advancing to the second round alive.

Mathis scored a 24th-minute goal in his return to the lineup, after missing the 3-2 win over Portugal due to a knee injury. South Korea tied it in the 78th minute when second-half substitute Ahn Jung-hwan outjumped defender Jeff Agoos to head in Lee Eul-yong’s free kick.

U.S. soccer player Clint Mathis comforts South Korea’s Eul Yong Lee after the South Korea versus USA match.

South Korea and the United States, which opened with a 3-2 win over fifth-ranked Portugal, are both 1-0-1 with four points, following by Portugal (1-1), which has three after beating Poland 4-0, eliminating the Poles. The hosts lead Group D on goal difference, plus-2 to plus-1.

With a tie or a win against the Poles on Friday, the United States would ensure its first trip to the second round since 1994, when the World Cup was played in America. South Korea would advance with a tie against the Portuguese.