The U.S. men’s national team seeks a fourth-consecutive victory over Mexico in all competitions and knows three points at Estadio Azteca on Thursday will move it one step closer to clinching a World Cup berth (10 p.m., Paramount+).
Gregg Berhalter’s side visits Mexico City knowing the race for an automatic qualification spot is getting tight with only three matches left to play. The Americans are tied with El Tri on 21 points apiece in the octagonal round through 11 matches played so far.
Reggie Cannon is the only player unavailable for Berhalter tonight due to a positive COVID-19 test.
Mexico has improved over recent weeks under Tata Martino and put itself back in the picture to qualify automatically to Qatar 2022. Raul Jimenez, Hirving Lozano, and Jesus Corona headline the El Tri attack in a home matchup that they have recently dominated in World Cup Qualifying.
Here is a closer look at the USMNT starting lineup:
SBI’s editorial staff will provide some updates and insights in the comments section. Feel free to share your own thoughts and opinions as well.
Enjoy the action.
Final: Mexico 0 – USMNT 0. One point earned for the USMNT on the road at Estadio Azteca. A good result for the Americans tonight and I thought Antonee Robinson, Yunus Musah, and Tim Weah were all in the running for MOTM. A win on Sunday paired with a Costa Rica draw/loss will clinch a WC spot.
Jordan Morris will be the USMNT’s final sub tonight, replacing Christian Pulisic. 84′
Erik Palmer-Brown and Aaron Long on for Tyler Adams and DeAndre Yedlin. Adams did a lot of work, as did Yedlin. USMNT switching to five at the back for final minutes now with EPB on right side and A. Robinson on left. 81′
Steffen with the fingertip save on Lozano’s shot. No corner given though. 79′
Erik Palmer-Brown readying to come on for his WCQ debut. The Troyes defender has been riding good form of late at club level and will now try to shut things down for Americans tonight. 77′
Pefok with the best chance to break the deadlock but the striker gets his feet tangled up and misses. Reyna with a good set-up but Pefok can’t test Ochoa. 73′
Raul Jimenez goes down after minimal contact from Walker Zimmerman. No call given and Jimenez is shocked. Zimmerman furious with the dive and the appeal from the Wolves striker. 71′
Musah down holding his right ankle after a collision with Hirving Lozano. Gingerly walking off the field now for treatment. 69′
Counter from Mexico is neutralized by a Steffen save on a low-effort shot from Lozano. Meanwhile, Gio Reyna and Jordan Pefok are on for Ricardo Pepi and Tim Weah respectively. First subs for either team. 60′
Ochoa starts the second half with another good save to deny Pulisic from a tight angle. USMNT on the front foot to start second 45.
Panama 1 Honduras 1 FT. A sigh of relief for US fans.
Not a bad first half, but Pulisic should’ve buried that chance.
US doing okay, but I wish our passing was better. Not enough build up play. The good news is that our front 3 seems a lot faster than their defenders, so long balls seem to be working.
Since the US is at 26 on the provisional roster, can they still call in a replacement? At this point, a wingback may be the best option
HT: Mexico 0 – USMNT 0. Been a scrappy first half so far which has seen Alvarez, Yedlin, M. Robinson and Weah all get yellows. Christian Pulisic with the best offensive chance so far, denied by Guillermo Ochoa. Mexico frustrated with lack of chances so far, Zack Steffen not truly troubled in goal.
Americans have been good here weathering the storm.
So far today we’ve lost Cannon, Yedlin and Weah for Panama. Just brutal….
C’mon Honduras. You’ve thawed out by now.
Tim Weah with a costly foul on Raul Jimenez. His yellow card means he is also suspended for Sunday’s home match vs. Panama. Weah and Yedlin now unavailable. 38′
Christian Pulisic is denied by Ochoa right down the middle. Pulisic misses the chance to break the deadlock and continue his good run of form against El Tri. We remain scoreless. 36′
DeAndre Yedlin sees yellow and will now miss the USMNT’s clash with Panama on Sunday. Shaq Moore, who is reportedly set to join the squad, could start. 25′
Cannon and now Yedlin out for Panama. Ouch!
USMNT holding its own defensively so far against Mexico, while still offering some running on the counter. Miles Robinson and Edson Alvarez with the yellows so far.
OCHOA! Tim Weah is wide open and gets on the cross from Antonee Robinson, but is denied by the veteran Mexican goalkeeper.
Montes with the header off a cross from the right wing, but Zack Steffen catches easily. First effort on goal so far. 13′
Early yellow card for Miles Robinson after he takes out Raul Jimenez. Jimenez with great control to bring in the cross and gets past Robinson before the foul comes.
First time that Yunus Musah, Tyler Adams, and Kellyn Acosta have been paired together in midfield. All three bring physicality, but could balance each other nicely too.
Set pieces could be key for USMNT tonight, an area that the Americans have taken advantage of against Mexico in the past.
An early cross from Antonee Robinson is caught by Ochoa. Let’s see if the USMNT can keep possession early tonight. 1′
Word is Reggie Cannon was diagnosed with Covid today. When it rains it pours.
Yes he missed practice yesterday and it came out with lineup that he tested positive.
Greetings all and thanks for joining us for a highly-anticipated World Cup Qualifier between Mexico and the USMNT. Gregg Berhalter has put out a strong squad with hopes of getting three points at Estadio Azteca. Christian Pulisic, Ricardo Pepi, and Tim Weah headline the attack tonight.
Zack Steffen gets the nod over the in-form Ethan Horvath. DeAndre Yedlin starts at RB as Reggie Cannon misses out due to a positive COVID-19 test.