McCarthy still seeking first win

For the Republic of Ireland's fans, the glory days are but a memory. Sunday's 2-1 US Cup defeat by the United States at the Foxboro Stadium, near Boston, means that Mick McCarthy is still looking for his first victory since taking over from Jack Charlton as manager six matches ago.

However, McCarthy, insists there are signs of hope despite this latest setback. "We should have won after David Connolly put us ahead," said McCarthy, who saw the young Watford striker grab the lead in the 56th minute. After a leveller within two minutes from Tab Ramos, Claudio Reyna struck a 75th-minute winner for the home side. The Irish move to New Jersey to play Mexico on Wednesday.

UNITED STATES: Friedel (Galatasaray); Burns, Lalas (both New England Revolution), Balboa (Colorado Rapids), Dooley (Schalke 04), Agoos, Harkes (both Washington DC Utd), Reyna (Bayer Leverkusen), Ramos (New York/New Jersey MetroStars), Jones (Los Angeles Galaxy), Wynalda (San Jose Clash). Substitutes: Kirovski (Manchester Utd) for Reyna, 77; Lassiter (Kansas City Wiz) for Ramos, 77; Caligiuri (St Pauli) for Wynalda, 88.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Given; Kenna (both Blackburn), Phelan (Chelsea), Cunningham (Wimbledon), Kernaghan (Manchester City), Breen (Birmingham), McLoughlin (Portsmouth), Farrelly (Aston Villa), O'Brien (Tranmere), Quinn (Manchester City), Connolly (Watford). Substitutes: Fleming (Middlesbrough) for Kenna, 40; O'Neill (Norwich) for O'Brien, 87; Savage (Millwall) for Quinn, 87.