The United States men’s national team earned a massive point in the Hexagonal of CONCACAF 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifying on Sunday in a 1-1 draw against Mexico at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
Head coach Bruce Arena made seven changes to his Starting XI from the team that started in a 2-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago on June 8. Seattle Sounders forwards Clint Dempsey and Jordan Morris began on the bench on Sunday and did not play.
Captain Michael Bradley gave the U.S. the lead just six minutes in on a beautiful 40-yard strike that caught Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa off his line. Bradley became just the sixth American ever to score at Azteca.
Mexico equalized in the 23rd minute, though, on a textbook counterattack. U.S. forward Bobby Wood couldn’t capitalize in front of net, which led to Ochoa finding Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez at midfield. Chicharito knifed through the U.S. defense and found Carlos Vela on the right side, who beat DaMarcus Beasley inside and sent a left-footed shot past Brad Guzan.
Neither team could break the deadlock in the second half, but each came close. Mexico’s Hector Herrera hit the crossbar on a menacing free kick before Bradley fired a volley of his own off the outside of the right post.
After losing their first two Hex games under Jurgen Klinsmann in November 2016, the U.S. have earned eight points from their last four matches, defeating Honduras and T&T at home and earning road draws at Panama and Mexico.
The USMNT sit third in the Hex, two points ahead of Panama, who will play their sixth Hex match against Honduras on June 13. Mexico are in first place with 14 points.
The U.S. will play Matchday 7 on Sept. 1 when they host Costa Rica before visiting Honduras in Matchday 8 on Sept. 5.
