Yes, the USMNT did not lose any ground to EL Tri, nor did they gain, all those good looks, one just had to go in, but not tonight. What were the strong points for the US, no injuries, did string together a number of passes at times, but Mexico held a 63-37% possession advantage did cover well on defense when Mexico had chances, but better coverage would have not had those even happen. So many times, the Mexican players were in dangerous positions, open and got the ball, not good. Seems no players picked up injuries, Adams did not pick up a card, keeping him out of the next game. To see the players with smiles on their faces just after not taking a very winnable game, what was their goal going in, to not lose? Yes closer to getting to the WC, but now lesser teams coming up but they lost a game they needed to win V the Ticos in RBA a feew years ago.
The game opened well as in the first minute, the US was in on goal. Miles Robinson picked up a very early card at 10’ allowing for a DFK from just 25 yards. A crossed ball was meet with a diving header but it was right at Zack, no damage done. Weah had a good look and it was wide right. Acosta also had a go on goal, right at the GK, a common theme this game for the USA. Weah fouled about 25 yards out Pulisic had the kick but does nothing with it. A deep turnover by the US, if not for a heavy touch by Corona which puts the ball over the endline, he is 1 V 1 with Steffan. Pepi has a shot go wide left. Pulisic gets another chance, he is tripped up after the shot and rolls into the GK, Pulisic stays down for a while. Weah picks up a caution at 39’ as does Tata who has been riding the ref the whole game thus far. Lozano of Mexico skies one of a few from the 18 . A pass picked off finds Pulisic who feeds Weah who also skies one from the top of the 18.
At the half, still tied up, the US needs to be a tad bit sharper on their passes, the shots need to be on goal, defense must be tighter
Early 2nd half, Pulisic gets off a good shot but Ochoa is up to the task and parries it away. Acosta put a ball through the 6, but no one home. Reyna in for Weah as 2 2nd gen pros trade spots. Interesting, the talking heads mention only GIo’s father, not mother nor the father of Weah as being such a good player. Lozano while going away from goal releases a shot he was just unable to get to drop enough, but still rather dangerous. Musah collides with Lozano, Musah stays down holding his right ankle, even upon his return he was still limping a bit, that is tightening up right about now. A weak, soft pass gets stolen then to Raul in the area, he is stopped by Zimmerman, goes down but a correct no call by the ref. Acosta to Reyna he should have shot but no he squares It to Pefok, he goes well wide with it, his first of two times close on a goal. Yedlin miss hits one at the top of the area. Pefok again, this one goes high over the bar. The US have had by far the better looks at goal but at 75’ the score is the same as it was at 0’. Zimmerman seems unsure what to do with the ball, Zack, must be letting him know what to do with it, in this instance, clear it. Lozano left open yet again goes high and wide, a recurring issue game long. It seems as the game continues, the marking by the visitors is getting worse. Acosta is high and wide from 25 yards. Vera gets a caution at 90’. Only once did I hear the fans chant their slur, it was in extra time and zero was done about it.
Clearly if the US plays the same, just netting a few, they beat Panama and make the WC, hoping for the proper results in another game, they may then get others some game time and rest those who may have picked up knocks or not and get others game time. Tighten up the defense and get shots on frame, then see a massive improvement. Even on the shots they had on frame, less than half, they were right at the GK, this holds for both teams. Neither team should be happy with this result but the US were high fiving all over smiling as they left the field.