The CONCACAF rivals played to a 0-0 draw on Thursday in an important qualifying match for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Our staff writers Sandy McAfee and Samantha Garcia provided live updates and reaction throughout the match.
Final
This edition of the Clasico concludes in a 0-0 draw. It was a hard-fought match as the U.S. approached the meeting looking for a win over their neighboring rivals. The U.S. failed to capitalize on two clear-cut chances but will head back home with a point in the CONCACAF table.
Thursday's match was competitive and intense with 26 total fouls called and five yellow cards. Mexico controlled possession (63 percent) and passed 200 more times. Mexico also took more shots (11 compared to nine for the U.S.) and had a passing accuracy of nearly 80 percent.
Although it seemed like a winnable match for the U.S., the team comes away with a positive result on the road at Azteca Stadium. Now, the Americans have a chance to punch their ticket to Qatar with a win on Sunday in the next qualifier against Panama.
El Clásico termina 0-0
En un partido lleno de acción, México pudo mantener su racha invicta en el Estadio Azteca. Ambos equipos jugaron lo mejor que pudieron, brindándonos un partido lleno de jugadas de acción, atajadas increíbles y otro clásico que no olvidaremos.
En la segunda mitad, México dominó la posesión, creando más ocasiones de gol. El Estadio Azteca no es un lugar fácil de jugar, entre los miles de aficionados y la altitud, este estadio pude afectar a cualquier equipo. Estados Unidos no se quedó atrás con más tiros al arco y una gran actuación de la defensa, E.E. U.U. pudo mantener el marcador 0-0.
EE.UU. se enfrentará a Panamá el domingo 29 de marzo. Si el equipo logra una victoria en el Estadio Exploria, la selección de Estados Unidos clasificará a la copa mundial de la FIFA Catar 2022.
Tan cerca, pero tan lejos
Lozano ha tenido tantas oportunidades para anotar pero el delantero no ha podido terminar la jugada. El delantero Mexicano ha sido conectado bien con Raul Jiménez creando un duo peligroso.
Lozano Taking Shots
Some of Lozano's shots look scary. He's taken a few cracks in the second half, but none were as close to the shots he took in the 78th and 81st minutes.
More Second Half Subs
Erik Palmer-Brown subbed on for Yedlin. Aaron Long replaced Adams. Jordan Morris came on for Pulisic in the 84th minute. For Mexico, Alexis Vega came on for Erick Gutierrez and Jesus Tecatito came on for Carlos Rodriguez.
Más cambios para ambos equipos
Después de un tiro al arco muy alto por parte del Chucky Lozano, el Tata Martino hizo sus primeros cambios de la noche. Alexis Vega entró por el Corona y Erik Gutiérrez por Charly Rodríguez
Estados Unidos también realizo dos cambios. Aaron Long entro por Tyler Adams, Erik Palmer-Brown entro por Yedlin y Jordan Morris por Christian Pulisic.
Tan cerca del 1-0
Estados Unidos casi anoto en el minuto 72. Pefok y Reyna tuvieron una jugada peligrosa pero no pudieron anotar cuando se encontraron enfrente de la portería Mexicana.
Beautiful Combination
The U.S. countered with one of its best combinations of the night in the 72nd minute. Reyna sent the ball in and the result was a header from Pefok that nearly found the right angle for a U.S. goal.
No era penal. ¿No era penal?
Zimmerman hace contacto en la area chica de Estados Unidos, Raul Jimenez pide un penal pero el arbitro dice que no.
Zimmerman v. Jiminez
Mexico got a chance in the 69th minute when they intercepted a slack pass in their own attacking third. Jiminez took Zimmerman 1v1, and it Jiminez lost his footing. He may have been tripped, but it didn't appear to be a hard foul.
Second Half Subs
In the 60th minute, Jordan Pefok was subbed on for Pepi. Gio Reyna came on for Weah.
Dangerous Chances For Mexico
El Tri is getting dangerously close to finding the goal at the start of the second half. First, a strike from Jorge Sánchez in the 52nd minute. Then a bending ball by Hirving Lozano that nearly found the upper right corner of the net. Later, a fast break opportunity in the 60th minute that resulted in a low-driven shot by Lozano again that was scooped up by Steffen.
Mexico is getting more creative in its play, stretching the U.S. and playing fast football.
Tan cerca a anotar...
Jorge Sánchez recibió un pase peligroso pero el defensa mexicano no pudo dar el último toque necesario para anotar. Solo minutos después Hirving ‘El Chucky’ Lozano mandó un tiro al arco causando una erupción de emoción en el Azteca, el tiro se fue arriba de la portería.
Ochoa vs Pulisic
Otra gran jugada por parte del delantero estadounidense fue rechazada por el arquero Mexicano. ¿Serán ambos jugadores los más valiosos para sus equipos al momento?
Ochoa Comes Up Big (Again)
Pulisic took the first shot of the second half, a left-footed strike on the left side of the 18-yard box that wasn't nearly as straightforward as his shot earlier in the night. Ochoa dove to block the shot, and the ball went out-of-bounds for a U.S. corner kick.
As much as I think Pulisic should've capitalized on his earlier chance, it's been fun watching what feels like a chess match between him and Ochoa.
Empate al medio tiempo.
Ha sido una primera mitad impactante. Un partido llenó de paradas impresionantes, jugadas peligrosas y una actuación increíble por parte de ambos equipos. El marcador sigue 0-0 al fin del primer tiempo.
La posesión ha sido pareja durante todo el partido, México adelante con 58%, pero EE.UU. ha tenido más tiros al arco.
¿México podrá proteger su récord de partidos invictos en el Estadio Azteca? ¿Quién será el primero en anotar? Esperamos un segundo tiempo con mucha acción.
Halftime
It's even at halftime 0-0. There was a bit of a frenetic energy to the first half, and both teams played aggressively. Five yellow cards were handed out and 13 fouls committed (seven for the U.S., six for Mexico) in the first half alone.
Mexico possessed more (57 percent) in the first half, but the U.S. finished with more shots on goal (three). The best chance for either team was the tap-in opportunity for Pulisic in the 35th minute. While Ochoa made a great save, Pulisic and the Americans will be wishing they were able to finish that chance.
Although Mexico is playing better than some expected, they could feel some pressure in the second half to keep the U.S. winless in World Cup qualifying matches played on Mexican soil. In other CONCACAF play, Canada is currently down a goal and a man to fifth-place Costa Rica. If that result holds, it could make things more difficult for the leading teams in the table, so the U.S. would do itself some good to get a result tonight.
Otra amarilla...
En el minuto 38, Weah recibió una tarjeta amarilla y no podrá jugar en el próximo partido contra Panamá. En el mismo minuto El Tata Martino recibió una tarjeta amarilla también.
Weah Shown A Yellow
The midfielder was shown a yellow card for a bad foul. He'll also be out for the next U.S. match against Panama.
¡Que Atajada!
Pulisic estaba solo enfrente del arco, pero Memo Ochoa demostró su estatus de arquero titular para el Tricolor
y atajó lo que seria un gran gol de Pulisic.
Pulisic Robbed
A brilliant save by Ochoa in the 35th minute kept this match scoreless. Pulisic received a cross from Tim Weah right in the middle of the box. The U.S. was nearly there, but Ochoa blocked Pulisic's left-footed shot with a save that was truly a showstopper -- one of the best plays of the first half.
¡México casi anota!
México estaba a un suspiro de anotar pero por un toque de más, el Tricolor perdió su oportunidad.
Close Call
Mexico had a golden opportunity in the 27th minute, but a heavy touch squashed any chance for a shot on goal and Steffen was able to gather the ball for the U.S.
Both sides have taken two shots.
La tercera tarjeta amarilla en menos de 30 minutos
Yedlin recibe una tarjeta amarilla tras una barrida fuerte contra Alvarez. Yedlin perderá el partido contra Panamá.
Yedlin Picks Up A Yellow
With a hard tackle, Yedlin picked up a yellow card. He'll be out for USA's next match against Panama due to card accumulation.
Otra tarjeta amarilla…
Edson Álvarez recibe una tarjeta amarilla después de hacerle falta al delantero Christian Pulisic. Kellyn Acosta tomó el tiro libre, pegando directo al arco, pero no llegó el gol que Estados Unidos espera.
Pulisic Finds Space
The Chelsea winger flashed across the field. He was dragged down by Edison Alvarez in the middle of the field. Alvarez was given a yellow card for the foul, and he'll be out of Mexico's next match due to card accumulation. The U.S. took a direct free kick, but Ochoa ate up the shot easily.
Two Quick Saves
Both teams got off great chances. U.S. goalkeeper Zack Steffen came up with a save on a bouncing header from César Montes in the 13th minute. Not a minute later, Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa came up with a stretching dive to redirect the low grounder from U.S. midfielder Yunus Musah.
Atajadas grandes para ambos equipos:
Los dos equipos están generando grandes jugadas. Zack Steffen paro un tiro del Cachorro Montes. Minutos después Yunus Musah tiro un balón peligroso al arco que fue atajada por Memo Ochoa. Seguimos 0-0.
Los primeros toques…
México y Estados Unidos son rivales conocidos. En los primeros 10 minutos ambos equipos han demostrado gran ataque y defensa. En la primera jugada peligrosa de México, Miles Robinson recibió una tarjeta amarilla en el minuto 10. El Tricolor recibió un tiro libre, Corona lo cobró, pero no anotó.
Robinson Picks Up A Yellow
Mexico switched the ball with pace, which caught Robinson flat-footed near the left sideline. He was called for a foul and charged with a yellow card in the 10th minute.
Robinson is lining up at center back beside Walker Zimmerman, the defender from Nashville SC. The two were both named to the MLS Best XI in 2021.
Arrancamos con el partido:
Estados Unidos enfrentara a México frente a un Estadio Azteca agotado. La selección de la Barras y las Estrellas no ha podido conseguir la victoria en la casa del Tricolor durante una eliminatoria para la Copa Mundial. México defenderá su casa con todo. ¿Anotará otra vez el defensa de Atlanta United, Miles Robinson?
A couple familiar faces
Besides Robinson, Atlanta United fans may recognize two other people during tonight's match. Mexico's manager Tata Martino was Atlanta United's first head coach and led the club to the 2018 MLS Cup. Additionally, former Atlanta United defender George Bello is on the bench tonight for the U.S.
What's on the line...
Results that could help the U.S. secure a spot in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. The U.S. heads into tonight's match in second place in the CONCACAF table. At this point, the U.S. needs to earn four points in their last three qualifying matches to earn an automatic berth.
Los XI titulares de México:
Guillermo Ochoa ©, Jorge Sánchez, César Montes, Johan Vázquez, Gerardo Arteaga, Héctor Herrera, Edson Álvarez, Carlos Rodríguez, Hirving Lozano, Raúl Jiménez, Jesús Corona.
El director técnico, Gerardo ‘El Tata’ Martino anuncio la alineación para el partido contra Estados Unidos. La alineación es similar a partidos anteriores, el único cambio siendo Johan Vázquez como titular. Vázquez ha tenido increíble rendimiento en Italia con Genoa C.F.C. El Tricolor espera generar goles con una línea de ataque de Jiménez, Corona y Lozano.
The starting XI has been announced for the U.S. and it's a strong lineup:
Zack Steffen, DeAndre Yedlin, Walker Zimmerman, Tyler Adams (C), Antonee Robinson, Yunus Musah, Ricardo Pepi, Christian Pulisic, Miles Robinson, Tim Weah, Kellyn Acosta
Atlanta United defender Miles Robinson is making his 18th overall appearance and ninth in World Cup qualifiers for the U.S. men's national team. He iconically nodded in the game-winner to beat Mexico in the CONCACAF Gold Cup Final last August.
Pre-Match
Well, it feels like an understatement to say this match is big for the U.S. men's national team. Four points in the next three matches and the U.S. will punch its ticket to Qatar for the World Cup later this year. First, the squad takes on neighboring rival Mexico. The Americans are winless in World Cup qualifying matches played on Mexican soil and have only won once at Estadio Azteca (an international friendly in 2012). If you can stay up for the late kickoff, expect an intense matchup. - Sandy McAfee
La rivalidad entre México y Estados Unidos ha creado un clásico que no se puede perder. México está buscando proteger su record de cero perdidas en el Estadio Azteca contra su vecino del norte. Mientras el equipo de las Barras y las Estrellas busca conseguir su cuarta victoria contra el Tricolor en menos de un año. La selección de México no cuneta con varias de sus estrellas: Andrés Guardado, Rogelio Funes Mori, Julio “Cata” Domínguez, Rodolfo Pizarro y Jonathan Orozco quien se encuentran fuera de la convocatoria a causa de lesiones. Los equipos se encuentran empatados con 21 puntos en la tabla de la Concacaf, Estados Unidos adelante por dos goles a favor. -Samantha Garcia
