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- USA draws with Mexico 0-0 for World Cup qualifying
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USA draws with Mexico 0-0
It was Mexico that rode the hot hands of a goalkeeper, in this case Memo Ochoa, to survive. Mexico’s xG of 0.55 was its lowest in its qualifying matches for the 2022 World Cup.
Yes, the U.S. limped across the finish line, taking an anywhere-will-do approach to passing over the last 15 minutes. Manager Gregg Berhalter threw on just about every available defender he had — both Erik Palmer-Brown and Aaron Long earned their first appearances in a World Cup qualifier. It was enough for the U.S. to secure a valuable point on the road.
Christian Pulisic with the sitter
Christian Pulisic spurned a glorious chance in the 35th minute, contriving to hit his shot right at Ochoa after good approach work by Kellyn Acosta.
This was one of those CONCACAF World Cup qualifying nights that served up a gift in the form of Panama drawing 1-1 with bottom-of-the-table Honduras. A win by the U.S. over the Canaleros in Orlando on Sunday and the U.S. can reach its four-point goal and stop worrying about Panama edging it out of a World Cup spot as it did four years ago.
Gio Reyna with six one v ones
Mexico 63% ball possession to USA’s 37%
Mexico 11 shots on goal to USA’s 9
Mexico lineup: Corona, Jimenez, Lozano, Herrera, Alvarez, Rodriguez, Arteaga, Vasquez, Montes, Sanches, Ochoa
Coach: Martino
USA lineup: Steffen, Yedlin, Zimmerman, Ronbinson, Robison, Acosta, Adams, Musah, Weah, Pepi, Pulisci
Coach: Berhalter
Next Games
USA: Pan, Costa Rica
MEX: HON, El Salvador
With Panama drawing at home to Honduras, the Americans are on the verge of qualifying for the 2022 World Cup and can do so on Sunday when they host the Panamanians in Orlando. A win will all but punch their ticket, with only a catastrophic, severely lop-sided loss at Costa Rica to follow on the final matchday being the only way they miss out.
Last night’s other results
JAM 1 EL SALV 1
PAN 1 HON 1
CR 1 CAN 0
Table
- Canada – 25pts
- USA – 22pts
- Mexico – 22pts
- Costa Rica – 19pts
- Panama – 19pts
- El Salvador – 10pts
- Jamaica – 8pts
- Honduras – 4pts
Predictions
Canada vs JamaicaAS: 2-0
El Salvador vs Costa Rica
AS: CR 2-0
USA vs Panama
AS: USA 3 Panama 1
Honduras vs Mexico
AS: Mexico
Santiago Leon is the Founder and CEO of the Sports Cast. He covers almost every sport: NFL, NBA, and world soccer. He’s also founder of sleon productions, which he specializes in technology and serves clients with solutions to make their business grow.