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On Thursday night, the U.S. Men's National Team played to a nil-nil draw at Estadio Azteca against Mexico. The USMNT were looking for their first win in that stadium during a World Cup Qualifying match in the long, storied rivalry. The game did not come without chances for both sides.
Arguably the two best chances in the match both came for the USMNT, with one off the foot of rising star Christian Pulisic. Pulisic took a great cross deep inside the box with a great look on goal, but Mexico's keeper Guillermo Ochoa made a great, sprawling save to his right.
After the match, Pulisic spoke about the missed chance, noted by ESPN‘s Kyle Bonagura. “I'm disappointed I missed a chance, and I would have loved to have won the game… I think it's a game that could've gone either way. I thought we had the better offensive chances and we had good spells, but a draw is fair.”
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The USMNT had another great look later in the match. Jordan Pefok attempted to one-time a cross in the box, but booted it just wide of goal. The United States carried play for much of the contest, but it was almost all for naught. In stoppage time, Mexico's Alexis Vega dribbled just inside the box up the right side and at first look, appeared to be tackled as he hit the ground. However, the referee ruled he took a dive and awarded him a yellow card. Had the referee not been in position, that call easily could have been a penalty kick.
With the draw, The United States earned a crucial point. They are tied with Mexico with 22 points for second place in the CONCACAF Table. However, the USMNT holds the greater goal differential tie-breaker. They are three points clear of Costa Rica in fourth place with two matches remaining. The top three teams automatically qualify for the 2022 World Cup.
