The United States men’s national soccer team (USMNT) played a goalless draw with Mexico. The draw has boosted their chances of qualifying for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
The United States and Mexico FIFA World Cup qualification clash took place at the Aztec Stadium in Mexico City earlier on Friday, March 25, 2022.
Based on reports from the game, Chelsea forward, Christian Pulisic had one of the best chances to win the game for the United States but Mexico’s goalkeeper, Guillermo Ochoa was available to stop his attempt.
At the end of 90 minutes of the thrilling encounter, the match ended in a 0-0 draw which put both teams at risk of dropping below the top three.
It was 90 minutes on pins and needles, but we earned a point.#MEXvUSA pic.twitter.com/wuwZTa1lP4
— U.S. Soccer MNT (@USMNT) March 25, 2022
Note that the Confederation of North, Central America, and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) can only present three countries from 8 members of the association for the World Cup.
In CONCACAF, the qualification series is done in a league format where all the countries are made to play each other until the end of the qualification series.
During the qualification game between the United States and Mexico, fans of the USMNT were more than that of the hosts because the Mexican Football Federation limited the crowd to about 30,000 to 40,000 in the 87,000-seat stadium.
In addition to the limitation, spectators were mandated to present a QR Code and identification before they were allowed into the stadium. The Mexican FA came up with this guideline to checkmate the trend of anti-gay chants during soccer games.
After the 0-0 draw, Pulisic said: “We put ourselves in a position to play on Sunday and win and go to the World Cup. But of course, 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.”
While USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter said: “We wanted to put a team on the field that could win the game in Azteca. That was the most important thing. There’s plenty of time to recover.”
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The United States 0-0 draw with Mexico has left them on the second spot on the CONCACAF World Cup qualification series. USMNT now have 22 points in 12 games, three points below first-placed Canada.
Since the third round of the qualification series started, the United States have recorded six wins, four draws, and two defeats. They have scored 16 goals and conceded 7 goals.
On the other hand, Mexico are sitting on the third spot with 22 points in 12 games, three points above 4th placed Croatia. Mexico are below the United States due to inferior goals difference (three goals).
As it stands, coach Gregg Berhalter must ensure that the USMNT beat Panama on Monday, March 28, 2022. Once the United States beat Panama, they will automatically qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. They also have a qualification game against Costa Rica on Thursday, March 31.
While Mexico need to beat Honduras on March 28 and El Salvador on March 31 to guarantee a spot in the forthcoming tournament.
As it stands, first-placed Canada, second-placed United States, and third-placed Mexico stand a greater chance of qualifying for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, especially Canada. However, all hope is not lost yet for 4th placed Croatia which has 19 points in 12 games.
