BORGETTI SPARKS MEXICANS TIES GOALSCORING RECORD AS TRICOLOR ROUTS GUATEMALA MEXICO 4, GUATEMALA 0.

Byline: Fred J. Robledo Staff Writer

Seems all Mexico needed was a wake-up call to show how serious it is about defending its CONCACAF Gold Cup title and challenging for its fifth crown since the tournament began in 1991.

The Tricolor bounced back from its loss Friday to South Africa in a Group C opener to hammer Guatemala 4-0 Sunday in front of 30,710 at the Coliseum.

It won't matter how well Mexico plays unless it is raising the Gold Cup trophy July 24. Or so it would seem.

``Is it a disaster if we don't win the tournament?'' Mexico coach Ricardo Lavolpe said. ``No, it will be a disaster if we don't play well, and today we played well.''

Mexico (1-1-0, 3 points) sits third in Group C, a point behind Jamaica (1-0-1) and South Africa (1-0-1), and can qualify for the quarterfinals as a third-place team.

It will try to climb to second, possibly first, in its first-stage finale Wednesday against Jamaica in Houston.

The day belonged to Jared Borgetti, who called it a day at halftime after tying Carlos Hermosillo and Luis Hernandez on Mexico's all-time goal-scoring list. He tallied in the fifth and 14th minutes, his 34th and 35th international goals, to provide a 2-0 lead.

``I don't think about the records,'' Borgetti said. ``I only talk about them because you guys (in the media) are telling me I'm tied with those guys.

``When it happens, it's going to big, because my name will be on top of Mexican history. But it's more important that we're playing well, and I'll deal with (the record) when it comes.''

On his first goal, the Pachuca forward gathered the ball at the corner of the penalty area and turned in one sweeping motion to lose Guatemala defender Victor Hernandez. It provided Borgetti a good look, and his left-footed shot darted into the left corner.

His second came from Alberto Medina's pass. Surrounded by defenders, he tucked a right-footed shot in the left corner.

``He's a goalscorer,'' Lavolpe said. ``We know that. He does well to get behind players, and then he knows how to finish.''

Mexico added goals from Gerardo Galindo in the 54th minute and Omar Bravo in the 65th.

``Mexico was the superior team from the outset,'' said Guatemala coach Ramon Maradiaga, whose team will wrap up the tournament against Jamaica. ``We have many tactical and technical difficulties that we have to work on, so now we have to get ready for (World Cup) qualifying again.''

Fred Robledo, [phone]

fred.robledo(at)sgvn.com

CAPTION(S):

photo

Photo:

Guatemala goalkeeper Miguel Angel Klee can't get to Jared Borgetti's shot in Mexico's 4-0 victory at the Coliseum.

Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press