DISSAPOINTING CROWD MATCHES RESULT FOR U.S.

Byline: Kevin Modesti Daily News Staff Writer

Bora Milutinovic returned Sunday to the site of his greatest U.S. triumph and defended his turf, be it ever so bumpy and sandy following a post-New Year's Day resodding.

Milutinovic's team helped their coach allay fears for his job by beating an undermanned United States squad 2-0 in front of a disappointingly small crowd of 31,725 at the Rose Bowl and a Spanish language network television audience.

The attendance was less than half of what U.S. Soccer officials predicted, and, of course, less than a third of the crowd that saw the Milutinovic-led United States upset of Colombia at the Rose Bowl during its historic 1994 World Cup run.

Sunday's victory, the Mexicans' first over the United States in the United States in eight full international games spanning 22 years, virtually guaranteed that they'll win the U.S. Cup tournament for the second straight year. Mexico is 2-0 going into Wednesday night's finale against Peru (6:30 p.m.) in Pasadena.

The United States, last in the four-team U.S. Cup standings after failing to score a goal for the second straight game, is experimenting with less-experienced national-team players. Coach Steve Sampson will have nothing to lose by continuing to experiment in Wednesday night's 8:45 game against Denmark.

Milutinovic acknowledged that, unlike Sampson, he fielded his strongest possible team, even if goalkeeper Jorge Campos was out with an injury.

``I learned in the States that every game is important to win,'' betraying no great emotion. ``If you don't believe me, remember Vince Lombardi.''

Mexico scored in the third minute, when Luis Roberto Alves beat defender Mike Burns and goalie Brad Friedel with a left-footer, and in the 68th, when veteran midfielder Alberto Garcia Aspe hit the left corner from the top of the penalty box.

The United States managed just one shot on goal, a long shot by Joe-Max Moore that was tipped over the bar by Adolfo Rios.

In the opening game of the doubleheader, Denmark defeated Peru 2-1 before a pro-Peru crowd, leaving each side with a 1-1-0 record.

The Danes scored in the eighth minute when Soren Andersen nodded home a scissors-kick pass from Jesper Thygesen after a deflection caught goalie Miguel Miranda off his line. They scored the game-winner in the 81st when Peru tried to clear a corner kick but Soren Colding one-timed a rising drive into the top of the net from beyond the penalty box.

Peru had scored in the 51st minute when Nolberto Solano dribbled straight in and fooled goalie Mogen Krogh with a chip shot.

Peru had upset the United States 1-0 and Denmark lost to Mexico 3-1 Friday night in San Diego.

CAPTION(S):

2 Photos

Photo: (1) Mexican goalie Adolfo Rios tips Joe-Max Moore's shot out of bounds. It was the Americans' only shot of the day.

(2) Claudio Reyna, right, of the United States fights Mexico's Benjamin Galindo for ball possession during Sunday's match at the Rose Bowl.

Gus Ruelas / Daily News