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Caribbean Life, Mar. 31-Apr. 6, 2022
By Ronald Blum, AP Sports
Writer
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Christian
Pulisic pounded the ground
three times just past Mexico’s goal
line after his point-blank shot was
blocked in the 35th minute.
The United States was frustrated
yet pleased with a gritty 0-0 draw on
Thursday night in the thin air of a
half-full Estadio Azteca. The point
earned pushed the Americans in
place to all but clinch a World Cup
berth with a victory against Panama
on Sunday night at Orlando,
Florida.
“We put ourselves in a position
to play on Sunday and win and go
to the World Cup,” Pulisic said. “But
of course I’m disappointed I missed
a chance, and I would have loved to
have won the game.”
The U.S. maintained second place
in North and Central America and
the Caribbean with 22 points, three
behind Canada, and ahead of Mexico
on goal difference. The top three
nations reach this year’s World Cup
in Qatar, and the No. 4 team advances
to a playoff, likely against New
Zealand.
With a victory Sunday, the U.S.
would ensure that fourth-place
Costa Rica could only pull even by
winning its final two games. The
U.S. has a plus-nine goal difference,
the first tiebreaker, and the Ticos are
plus-two following a 1-0 win over
Canada. If Costa Rica fails to win
at El Salvador and the U.S. beats
Panama, which has 18 points after
being held to a 1-1 draw by visiting
Honduras, the Americans would
clinch outright.
The U.S. closes on March 30 at
Costa Rica, where the Americans
have never won in qualifying.
“We’re getting close,” U.S. coach
Gregg Berhalter said. “Positive disappointment,
that’s how I would
characterize it. The group is jazzed
up. They’re psyched.”
Berhalter played his “A” team —
minus five injured regulars — after
debating whether to rest top players
ahead of Sunday. He will face Panama
somewhat depleted.
Right back DeAndre Yedlin and
winger Tim Weah both were given
their second yellow cards of qualifying
and must serve one-game suspensions,
Yedlin in the 26th for an
unnecessary sliding tackle in the
midfield on Edson Alvarez and Weah
in the 39th for knocking over Raul
Jimenez from behind on a throw-in.
The U.S. is short at right back with
Sergino Dest injured and Reggie
Cannon sidelined following a positive
COVID-19 test, and Berhalter
said Shaq Moore already had flown
from Spain’s Tenerife to join the U.S.
group in Orlando.
Mexico, which has 40 wins, two
losses and 10 draws in qualifiers
at Azteca, outshot the U.S. 11-9
and had 62.3% possession. But the
Americans had the better chances,
a 1.26 expected goals to Mexico’s
0.40.
El Tri fans booed the home team
at the final whistle.
Zack Steffen got the start over
Ethan Hovath and came away with
United States’ Giovanni Reyna, left, dribbles the ball chased by
Mexico’s Gerardo Arteaga during a qualifying soccer match for
the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 at Azteca stadium in Mexico City,
Thursday, March 24, 2022. Associated Press/Eduardo Verdugo
his second shutout against Mexico in
qualifying, helping the U.S. extend
its unbeaten streak over El Tri to
four games, including three wins.
US gains 0-0 draw at Mexico,
in strong position to qualify