WORLD CUP NOTEBOOK: ARENA ABLE TO ALLEVIATE AGOOS' ANXIETY.

Byline: Paul Oberjuerge Staff Writer

SEOUL, South Korea - Bruce Arena stuck up Tuesday for center back Jeff Agoos, who has been in unfortunate proximity to three major missteps for the U.S. national team in the 2002 World Cup.

``At the end of the day, he gets singled out,'' Arena said, ``and that was the case against Portugal, as well.'' Arena said the criticism is unfair.

``Jeff played a very good game, made a bunch of good plays'' against South Korea in a 1-1 tie Monday, Arena said.

Agoos was marking Ahn Jung Hwan in the 78th minute when the South Korean forward got free for the tying goal on a header. Earlier in the match, Agoos was called for pulling down a Korean player in the box, setting up a penalty kick that Brad Friedel saved.

In the Portugal match, Agoos attempted a clearance that went into the U.S. net for an own goal that leaves the U.S. behind South Korea, via goal-differential, atop the Group D standings.

Arena said the penalty-box call was in error.

--Not looking: Arena said he isn't spending time working out the various possibilities for Group D, which concludes Friday when the U.S. plays winless Poland and South Korea meets Portugal.

The top two teams in the group move on to the knockout round of 16.

The U.S. (four points) advances with a tie against Poland and could win the group with a victory. The U.S. also advances with a loss if Korea (four points) defeats Portugal (three points).

Of the nine possible outcomes stemming from two matches, the U.S. advances in seven of them and is out in only one - a loss in tandem with a Korea-Portugal tie. The U.S. could lose, say, 1-0, but advance if Portugal defeats South Korea 2-0.

--Loser history: Since 1990, 14 World Cup teams have been 0-2 going into their final match in group play and their composite record is 2-9-3 - including Saudi Arabia's loss to Ireland on Tuesday.

The two victories by 0-2 teams during that period were 2-0 by Colombia over Switzerland in 1994 and 4-0 by the former Soviet Union over Cameroon in 1990. In each case, the defeated teams advanced to the second round anyway.

--Mathis praise: Arena was a bit more effusive Tuesday in his praise of controversial forward Clint Mathis, who scored the U.S. goal in the tie with South Korea.

``Clint is a great finisher, no question about it,'' Arena said. ``Not many people would have finished up that play. It was a great pass by John O'Brien, a great run by Clint, beautiful technique in getting the ball down quickly, and then Clint finished with his left foot. That's Clint.''

--Another ratings record: Soccer fans around the United States stayed up late to watch America's 1-1 tie against South Korea in the World Cup, setting another ratings record for the sport on ESPN2.

The game, which started at 11:30 a.m. PDT Monday, got a 1.62 cable rating and was seen in an average of 1.36 million households, Nielsen Media Research said Tuesday.

The previous high for ESPN2 was 1.26 million households for a first-round Women's World Cup game between the United States and North Korea on June 27, 1999.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

LOOKING AHEAD: ITALY vs. MEXICO

Time: Thursday, 4:30 p.m., Oita, Japan.

TV: ESPN, Ch. 34.

Matchup: The Italians lost to Croatia 2-1 after taking a one-goal lead and must beat Mexico, one of only three teams to win its first two games, to ensure a spot in the second round. The circumstances suggest Italy, which must be aggressive, will be fun to watch. Although Mexico coach Javier Aguirre said his team won't play for a draw (a win or tie gets Mexico through), the stakes are high enough that Mexico might play more conservatively, creating a tension of styles worth watching. Italy's chances will be tougher after learning key midfielder Luigi Di Biagio will miss two weeks with a bad calf.

Prediction: Italy 2, Mexico 1. Christian Vieri scores as Italy's pressure too much.

- Patrick Hipes

CAPTION(S):

photo, 2 boxes

Photo:

JEFF AGOOS

U.S. center back has been in the wrong place at wrong time so far in the 2002 World Cup.

Box:

(1) WORLD CUP GLANCE

(2) LOOKING AHEAD: ITALY vs. MEXICO (see text)