On a night that could have been one where USMNT fans sang Dos a Cero, the USA settled for a scoreless at the Azteca; USA Draw Mexico. Before the match started if USMNT fans heard they’d take a point home against Mexico to help the team take one step closer to qualifying for the World Cup, they’d have been more than fine with the result. After seeing what went down on the pitch, many fans are thinking of the what-ifs from the first of the final three qualifiers.
USA Draw Mexico
On a night where Mexico had the majority of possession but failed to create big chances, the USA knew that they’d get theirs; the key was going to be taking advantage when the chances did come. It was clear that the USMNT would not convert any big chances when they got them.
Frustrating misses
The USA’s missed chances will overshadow the point and clean sheet they got on the road at what is said to be the hardest place to play in Concacaf qualifying. On this night, the crowd was lackluster, as many Mexican fans say that this version of the Mexico team plays to not lose, instead of playing to win. This was evident, and the USMNT locked down the sporadic Mexican attack. It looked like the USA was going to score in the first half when a golden opportunity fell to Christian Pulisic.
A perfectly played ball fell to Pulisic’s feet in the six-yard box. If he picked a corner it would have been 1-0 USA and could’ve doomed Mexico, but the Chelsea man hit the ball right at keeper Memo Ochoa. He had another opportunity early in the second half that he hit well to bend around Ochoa, but Mexico’s man of the match leaped up to keep the shot from beating him once again. While Pulisic had two very good chances, it wasn’t the best opportunity to score in the USA draw Mexico.
Gregg Berhalter brought on attacking subs in the 60th minute to push for the win. Those two subs were Giovanni Reyna and Jordan Pefok. Both players had been out of the USA squad for a while. Reyna had been battling an injury that he picked up in the first match of the octagonal, while there were other strikers ahead of Pefok until this window. Reyna looked very sharp, but Pefok had trouble getting in the game at all.
The USA had another huge opportunity to get one past Mexico with just about 15 minutes left. A perfect ball and perfect run saw Gio Reyna in on goal. He had a choice to hit the ball first-time on net, or square it across to an onrushing Pefok. He chose the pass, as Memo Ochoa had committed himself toward Reyna. The ball was put on a platter for Pefok; all he had to do was make good contact and it would be in the empty net. Somehow, he scooped the ball toward the far post instead of the open near post and the ball went wide of the net.
The miss summed up the night for both nations as it seemed no one had their finishing boots. All things considered, the draw is still a fine result with two games to play.
Still a fine result; focus shifts to Panama
USA coach Gregg Berhalter had some interesting things to say after the USA draw Mexico. He lamented that the missed chances are part of the game and that the team can’t dwell on them with what’s to come. Gregg talked about wanting to be the first USA team to go to the Azteca and win in World Cup Qualifying, they fell short, but that doesn’t make the result a negative one.
He called the point a valuable one, and he’s not wrong; the USA Draw Mexico! Panama slipped up in the standings drawing and already eliminated Honduras. This makes things very clear for the USMNT as they go to Orlando to play their final home qualifier.
The USA is now heading back to the States to face Panama on Sunday. They have some major issues to figure out at right-back, as the only out-and-out right back on the roster is DeAndre Yedlin who is suspended. reinforcements are coming in the form of Shaq Moore, but will he and the rest of this team be ready to win a must-win game?
A win against Panama, and a Costa Rica loss or draw an already eliminated El Salvador helps the USA qualify on Sunday. The Costa Rica-El Salvador match will end just as the USA kicks off against Panama, so they’ll know the scenario at hand, but either way, they have to win. The USA draw Mexico; they’re good enough to go into the Azteca and be the better team. This means they need to be at their best at home against a Panama team that could be sliding out a qualification spot.
This team can do it. Take care of your business and qualify, whether that’s on Sunday or next Wednesday. Believe!
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