THE USA moved closer to World Cup qualification with a hard-fought draw against Mexico at the Azteca.
Gregg Berhalter’s side had the best chances of a feisty 0-0 stalemate, which saw five yellow cards brandished in the first half.
Pulisic hit the deck after missing a huge chance just before half-time Credit: AP
The Chelsea forward said he was ‘disappointed’ not to have won the game Credit: AFP
The USA will qualify for the World Cup with victory over Panama on Sunday Credit: EPA And Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic arguably had the best opportunity to send USMNT back home with all three points.
With 34 minutes on the clock and no real chances of note, Timothy Weah broke down Mexico’s left and delivered an inch-perfect cross into the area.
Pulisic had timed his run perfectly and met the cross on the penalty spot, with Mexico stopper Guillermo Ochoa poorly positioned at his near post.
But the Blues forward badly fluffed his lines, crashing his first-time effort straight at the keeper with the goal gaping.
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It summed up a wasteful night for the USMNT, with Costa Rica’s shock win against league-leaders Canada far from ideal.
Qualification is still in the Star and Stripes’ hands as they welcome fifth-placed Panama to Exploria Stadium on Sunday night.
Victory there would send USA to their first World Cup since 2014, banishing the painful memories of CONCACAF qualification failure in 2018.
Pulisic was upbeat after the match and tried hard not to dwell on his missed opportunity to be the USA hero.
‘IT’S POSITIVE DISAPPOINTMENT’ He 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.”
Jordan Pefok was also guilty of a big miss, slicing wide from 10 yards in an even second-half.
Mexican fans were notably downbeat from the off at what is usually a partisan arena.
The USA’s 300 or so away supporters made the majority of the noise as El Tri fans jeered coach Gerardo Martino during the warm-ups.
Mexico have lost only two qualifiers in 50 years at this famous stadium but failed to find their rhythm against an organized and well-drilled USA.
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And it was Berhalter who was left to rue the best chances of the night at the final whistle – but was still happy with a point.
He said: “It’s positive disappointment. That’s how I categorize it.
“The group is jazzed. They’re psyched. It was a good performance. We wanted to be the first team to beat Mexico at Azteca [in official competition] and we fell a little bit short.
“But the mood’s not down. Not at all. It’s the opposite. We know we’re going home.
“I can’t say enough about the effort of the guys. To expend that much energy at altitude like that is phenomenal.”
The USMNT face Panama on Sunday in Orlando, with their penultimate qualification game kicking-off at 8pm ET.
Jordan Pefok pounds the floor after his second-half miss Credit: Getty Images – Getty
Wolves striker Raul Jimenez went close for a below-par Mexico Credit: EPA
Despite the stalemate, both teams are on course to finish in the top three and qualify Credit: AP Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
