USMNT

Jordan Pefok and Christian Pulisic missed huge chances to earn the USMNT their first ever competitive win in Mexico as Thursday's World Cup qualifier ended ...

"We put ourselves in a position to play on Sunday and win and go to the World Cup,'' Pulisic said. But he failed to even force a save out of Ochoa as he shot wide from close range. But a defeat would pile huge pressure onto Gregg Berhalter's team ahead of their final fixture against Costa Rica.

Despite having great opportunities in the box, however, Christian Pulisic and Jordan Pefok failed to capitalize on chances that would have all but punched ...

Mar 26 As it stands, both teams are still on track to qualify for the main event later this year. The match saw each team have a handful of chances, particularly for the visitors.

The United States men's national team fought out a 0-0 draw at Estadio Azteca Thursday night without Weston McKennie, Sergino Dest, Brenden Aaronson, ...

It's pretty amazing that the United States are in a good position to qualify for the world cup despite only having Reyna, who has been cursed by injury for much of this season, for one game prior to Mexico. It has been a good time for growth with Tim Weah and Brenden Aaronson getting minutes that otherwise wouldn't have been available with Reyna on the pitch. With a critical game against Panama coming on Sunday, it's great to Reyna will likely finally join Christian Pulisic in the attacking line to start together for the first time in the qualifying window. In only 30 minutes on the pitch, he was able to create two chances, get four ball recoveries and complete a team high five take-ons putting his dynamism on full display. Reyna provided a wonderful cross to Jordan Pefok that he was unable to put on target even though the chance had an expected goal value of .53, meaning that on average chances like it are easier to score than not. Berhalter continued to talk about how excited he is so excited about this group of young players and Reyna's return to fitness, making it clear that Reyna will be central to US success moving forward. Gio Reyna came on an hour into the match to spell Tim Weah, and the teenager put on n absolute show.

Gregg Berhalter went for it, and you've got to give him credit for that. The US men's national team have taken a point out of the Azteca in the past – they ...

The US will have to be able to play through that, and to turn the chances they get into goals in a way that they didn’t manage against Mexico. • If the US win and Costa Rica drop points at El Salvador, the US are officially qualified. The US tactics have been good, and we know that, in Panama, they’ll face a fairly disciplined low-block team who will do their level best to rob the game of any rhythm. • Ricardo Pepi had a nice lay-off on the build-up to Pulisic’s chance but didn’t do much else. Berhalter’s got to make a clear-eyed assessment of who has enough in the tank to go out there vs. I don’t have the mental or emotional energy to live in a world where Tyler Adams isn’t fit enough to play from the start on Sunday night (7 pm ET He’s had a selfish streak since his youth days, and we’ve seen that from him before for the US at the senior level. If one of Zimmerman or Miles Robinson is cooked, Aaron Long has looked good enough over the past month to step in and do the job. • Musah and Adams had the types of performances we’ve come to expect from them. Beyond the energy issue, four US players entered the game on a yellow card and thus one clumsy challenge away from suspension. It was because they were better on the ball and better off the ball, and because the players on the field were better tactically and, I’d argue, technically than their El Tri peers. Beating Panama at home remains the key to qualifying, though Panama unexpectedly dropping points on Thursday thanks to a 1-1 draw with Honduras does extend the margins somewhat.

In the end, Gregg Berhalter did everything we asked, what most USMNT fans asked. He didn't treat the trip to the Azteca as something to just get through.

This was about the easiest way to see out a draw in Mexico City as the U.S. has had. A draw never feels like a positive, but to hold Mexico at arm’s length on the road missing three certain starters is a statement of where the U.S. is, or at least can be. It’s on the U.S., not Mexico, that they didn’t. Man in the mirror indeed. The U.S. can’t really afford that now. The U.S. picked its spots to press, it picked its spots to attack and throw men forward, and it knew when it needed to call off the dogs and just defend. The U.S. didn’t get all the other results it needed. It is probably a sign of progress, though an infuriating one, that the U.S. can walk out of the Azteca with a draw, its third straight there, but this time feel as though it left something on the table. The problem for the U.S. has been backing up the good results with more good results. But Panama drawing at home with Honduras is a good result for the U.S. And it can feel that way while missing three of its four most important attackers in Weston McKennie, Brendan Aaronson, and Sergino Dest. It’s just hard to recognize progress when it leaves you feeling, “What if?” To be as fair as one can be to Pefok, maybe he was expecting Reyna to shoot himself. You can understand Gio Reyna going full LeBron on Jordan Pefok, because anywhere on frame and the U.S. is taking all three points.

Some oddsmakers are backing the US men's national team and Canada to get three points from their critical Concacaf World Cup Qualifying away matches on ...

The Yanks are underdogs according to the oddsmakers against El Tri Thursday night (10 pm ET The USMNT currently lead Mexico on goal differential (equal on points with 21) heading into the final three matches of the Octagonal campaign. Some bettors are backing the US men's national team and Canada to get three points from their critical Concacaf World Cup Qualifying away matches on Thursday. The USMNT will be against Mexico in a huge rivalry matchup at Estadio Azteca (10 pm ET

United States women's international Megan Rapinoe said so few male footballers have come out because the environment is not “safe.

7:00 PM - Mexico v. 4:30 PM - Brazil v. 4:30 PM - Uruguay v. 4:30 PM - Paraguay v. 4:30 PM - Colombia v. 12:45 PM - Sweden v. 12:45 PM - Wales v. 12:45 PM - Portugal v. 12:45 PM - Italy v. 10:00 AM - Estonia v. 10:00 AM - Moldova v. 10:00 AM - Iraq v.

World Cup Qualifying comes to a head this week as the United States men's national team tries secures their spot at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

the United States, so the USMNT would be happy with a draw considering this is a trip to face Mexico at Azteca. Injuries and tough decisions: Replacing McKennie is a tough job but it's one that Berhalter has a few options for in Acosta, Luca de la Torre, and Gianluca Busio. But with so many options, it's important that Berhalter gets the decision correct for these matches. Goals will be hard to come by as Mexico have only allowed eight goals while their scoring struggles have seen them score 14. Missing Aaronson, who has appeared in all 11 matches, will also be a heavy lift offensively and defensively. Setbacks during his recovery have caused Reyna to be on and off the pitch for Dortmund but after playing in their last three matches, he's back in the national team picture. Given that the United States have been able to take 143 shots, it should be no surprise that they're within the top end of scoring in Concacaf. Ricardo Pepi, Christian Pulisic, Brenden Aaronson, Weston McKennie, and Antonee Robinson have all scored multiple goals during qualifying also showing how unpredictable the scoring threats are. Pepi has been the most effective of the bunch, but his Bundesliga acclimation isn't going well and it has impacted his national team form too. His 20 goals scored for Young Boys and Champions League experience is more than other forwards can offer and while he isn't as technical as other options at Berhalter's disposal, as long as the ball hits the back of the net, him potentially being isolated won't be an issue. With the USMNT facing Mexico, Panama, and Costa Rica, Reyna couldn't be returning to the fold at a better time. With a next-man-up mentality and deep talent pool to choose from, that doesn't mean that the USMNT will be short on options during this crucial window, which starts Thursday night against Mexico (streaming on Paramount+). They'll be getting a big part of the team back in Gio Reyna, who hasn't featured since the first match of the Octagonal vs. Led by Tyler Adams making 33 tackles while playing in 10 of 11 matches and backed up by a stout central pairing of Miles Robinson and Walker Zimmerman, the defense is hard to breach. But heading into a critical juncture, Berhalter will be without Weston McKennie, Brenden Aaronson, Matt Turner, and Sergino Dest as the team was hit by multiple recent injuries.

The U.S. men's national team can take a huge step towards clinching a spot at the 2022 FIFA World Cup on Thursday night, but will have to overcome rivals.

SBI’s editorial staff will provide insight and analysis throughout the night in the comments section below. (LINK) Gregg Berhalter’s side sit level on 21 points with Mexico in the race for an automatic qualification berth.

The three final World Cup qualifiers begin Thursday night when the U.S. men's national soccer team takes on Mexico. The Americans will know within a week ...

That said, the USMNT has managed to scratch out a point from each of its last two World Cup qualifiers in Mexico City. And Azteca hasn’t been quite so fearsome of late. The altitude, smog and raucous crowd make Azteca a tough place for anyone to play, and the USMNT has never won a World Cup qualifier there. The USMNT has Gio Reyna back for the first time since he injured his hamstring against El Salvador in September. Reyna will be on limited minutes throughout the window, but is a threat anytime he’s on the field. FIFA made Mexico play its last two qualifiers without fans as punishment for El Tri supporters’ persistent use of a homophobic slur. In fact, the Americans have just one win ever there, a friendly back in 2012. “We know it’s not going to be easy. “I think it’s a mindset now,” said Christian Pulisic, one of the few holdovers from the last World Cup cycle. Starting right back Sergiño Dest and Matt Turner, who has been battling Zack Steffen to be the No. 1 goalkeeper, are also out. “Our record here is horrendous,” Berhalter acknowledged. And the news isn’t all bad. Forward Brenden Aaronson, the only player to play in all 11 qualifiers, was a late scratch with a knee injury. And that’s what it’s going to take this window.”

These games will always be important when it comes to bragging rights, but it's also clear that there won't be another night quite like this.

That the U. S. will have to play without the injured quartet of Weston McKennie, Sergino Dest, Matt Turner and Brenden Aaronson makes it a massive task indeed. U.S. manager Gregg Berhalter even went so far as to say the U.S. team's record at the Azteca is "horrendous." "I'll probably not eat or drink after 11 a.m. tomorrow," added Stephanie Casiano, who works for a health care provider in San Antonio. "It's going to be like, all the nerves. Yet for El Tri, pessimism rules the day, in no small part due to the three-game losing streak it is currently suffering against the U. S. The day before the game, sports newspaper CANCHA put Christian Pulisic and Ricardo Pepi front and center (and over Mexico players) with a "They Have An Advantage On Us" caption. In short: Due to a variety of different complaints about how Mexican soccer is governed and run, fans have made online threats about the usage of the anti-gay chant in the game against the United States, which could then potentially hurt the Mexican Football Federation (FMF). Mexico is probably the more desperate side, and the U. S. team's home match against Panama on Sunday is more important in the overall picture of qualification. While such thoughts focus on the future, it is the present that concerns the U. S., and the stakes surrounding Thursday's encounter are high indeed. The neuroses of both teams are also in full bloom. Up to now, the World Cup qualifiers between the two neighbors have been the first fans have looked for when the fixtures are released. By the time the 2030 qualifiers beckon, the World Cup will have expanded to 48 teams, which could result in the number of automatic qualifying spots from CONCACAF being doubled to six. From afar, it looks like a hulking birthday cake was plopped down in the Santa Ursula neighborhood of Mexico City. As you get closer, the concrete supports look like the collective arms of Mexico supporters, pushing up on the venue's rim and out of the ground. In many ways, it feels like the end of an era.

There's plenty on the line in Mexico, where a confident U.S. is seeking another landmark win, but risking too much and coming up short could have severe ...

So we’re confident in the group and we’re confident in the mentality of the group.” Berhalter said, “This may be the last qualifier in Mexico between Mexico and the U. S. For us, it’s just a great event. But this is also a great opportunity for this group, and we’re looking forward to it. And when we leave it out all out on the pitch, we’re going to win games. So does the rivalry, the relationship and the troublesome but beguiling history of the Azteca. Ambitious players want to compete in big games. And they’re staged against a unique backdrop, in an iconic and one-of-a-kind arena that embodies so much of soccer’s history in this part of the world. “I think that the best feeling, or again, the minimum, is that every game that we go into, we’re leaving it out all out on the pitch so that we don’t have any regrets. U. S. Soccer was being told Wednesday afternoon that a crowd of up to 50,000 was expected—the refurbished Azteca seats 87,000—as security and identification protocols are implemented. The next week will serve as a referendum on Berhalter and the young and talented generation of players that now forms the heart of the national team, not to mention the long-term direction of American men’s soccer. It’s not just a cliché. They give everything to win the match in front of them and try to avoid the distractions or worry that might come from looking too far ahead. We realize that and that’s just how it is, and we’re focused on going in and being difficult to play against—competing.” Of course we’ve got the better of them in the last couple games, but that means nothing coming into tomorrow’s game,” U. S. star Christian Pulisic said Wednesday. “So we’re going to need to battle.

El Tri host the United States at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City tonight. It's a venue where the USMNT has never won a match. The stakes couldn't be higher given ...

The USMNT have beaten Mexico an unprecedented three times in a row. A win would put either team on the cusp of World Cup qualification with just two Matchdays to go. It’s a venue where the USMNT has never won a match.

The United States men's national team are set to play their most challenging World Cup qualifier of this cycle Thursday night when they visit Mexico and the ...

Berhalter knows that his towering centerbacks can be the difference here in attack, and he would be wise to instruct his team to try and earn those fouls time and time again. Mexico will be aggressive, as usual, and the opportunities will be there without a doubt. McKennie is a threat in attack, a defensive menace and has the quality to get the ball moving in the middle, so not having him must be addressed. As a result, don't be shocked to see several instances of the U.S. deliberately just trying to draw fouls but putting their back to a defender and going down rather easily. Having a bit more cover in the middle, with somebody who can work closely with Adams to defend and get the ball forward quickly is vital. Slowing down the pace with tactical fouls worked well for both Canada and Costa Rica against Mexico, and the U.S. would be wise to follow that game plan.

Follow along as the longtime Concacaf rivals go head-to-head at Estadio Azteca, with both looking to take definitive steps toward the World Cup.

El Salvador (or a draw and a Costa Rica loss) to finish the job. Perhaps sensing the game starting to slip, Berhalter brought on two defensive subs, with Erik Palmer-Brown and Aaron Long coming on for Yedlin and Adams. Minutes later, Pulisic came off for Jordan Morris, with Berhalter staying true to his pregame word that he would use all five substitutes. The U.S. blew its best chance of the match a couple of minutes later. For the U.S., that could come Sunday. It’ll take a win over Panama and a Costa Rica draw or loss vs. Ochoa came up with the moment of the match in the 35th minute. No call was given, though, nor did the play go to VAR review, with play continuing and the score still 0-0. Sánchez couldn’t quite get to it with his outstretched leg, though, perhaps deterred a bit by Steffen coming off is line to cut the angle. There has been plenty of chatter in the build-up to Thursday night that the match between the U.S. men’s national team and Mexico was the last World Cup qualifier between the two. Panama. Reports out of Spain said that Shaq Moore, of Tenerife, would be joining the U.S., and Berhalter confirmed as much in his postgame comments. The U.S. had another potential opportunity at the three-minute mark, after Kellyn Acosta drew a foul in a dangerous area. That gave Acosta another free kick, and he had a go at goal, only to hit his powerful blast right at Ochoa. The U.S. and Mexico played to a 0-0 draw at Estadio Azteca Thursday night, with the U.S. having multiple chances thwarted by Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa and missing one golden opportunity through substitute forward Jordan Pefok. The result ended the U.S.’s three-game winning streak against Mexico, but serves both teams well after Panama’s draw vs.

Estadio Azteca; Mexico City, Mexico Pre-Game Coverage: 8:30 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network, Paramount+ // 9:30 p.m. ET on Univision and TUDN Kickoff: 10 p.m. ...

He followed that up by putting the exclamation point on the 2-0 qualifying win on Nov. 16, 2021 in Cincinnati. - Mario Escobar of Guatemala is the referee for tonight’s match. - Tyler Adams captains the USMNT for the eighth time tonight. Mexico), Juan Agudelo (18 years, 214 days; June 25, 2011) and Yunus Musah (18 years, 348 days; Nov. 12, 2021 vs. At 19 years, 74 days, Pepi is the fourth youngest player to reach double-digit appearances for the USMNT, following Christian Pulisic (18 years, 54 days; Nov. 11, 2016 vs. Substitute Paul Arriola also appeared in that match. Pre-Game Coverage: 8:30 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network, Paramount+ // 9:30 p.m. ET on Univision and TUDN Pre-Game Coverage: 8:30 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network, Paramount+ // 9:30 p.m. ET on Univision and TUDN 2022 Concacaf World Cup Qualifying: USA Vs. Mexico - Starting XI, Lineup Notes, TV Channels & Start TimeEstadio Azteca; Mexico City, Mexico Pre-Game Coverage: 8:30 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network, Paramount+ // 9:30 p.m. ET on Univision and TUDN Kickoff: 10 p.m. ET on Univision, TUDN, CBS Sports Network, Paramount+ - USMNT Starting XI WCQ Cap Numbers (including this match): Christian Pulisic (21), DeAndre Yedlin (18), Kellyn Acosta (17), Tyler Adams (11), Antonee Robinson (11), Miles Robinson (9), Ricardo Pepi (9), Walker Zimmerman, (8), Tim Weah (8), Yunus Musah (8), Zack Steffen (4) Kickoff: 10 p.m. ET on Univision, TUDN, CBS Sports Network, Paramount+ Kickoff: 10 p.m. ET on Univision, TUDN, CBS Sports Network, Paramount+

The U.S. men's national team is set to face archrival Mexico at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. Here's the lineup in the World Cup Qualifier.

USMNT lineup vs. Mexico lineup vs. USMNT vs.

The fourth-place team in Concacaf will face the winner of Australia vs. either United Arab Emirates, Lebanon or Iraq.

Buy home and away gear, plus shirts, cornhole kits, hoodies, tracksuits, and more. Shop here and show your pride. - Panama 1, Barbados 0 - Costa Rica 1, Canada 0 - Mexico 1, Panama 0 - Costa Rica 1, Panama 0 - Canada 1, Costa Rica 0 - El Salvador 1, Panama 0 Start times and some dates have yet to be announced. Each team gets one home game and one away game against all seven opponents. The third round of the CONCACAF qualifiers began Thursday, Sept. 2 and will end on Wednesday, March 30. Concacaf qualifying continues to heat up as the final matchdays are now upon us and the clock ticks down to winter for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Mexico, Canada, Panama and the United States men's national team continue to battle it out for the top spot as during the final stretch of qualifiers.

After a draw against Mexico here's how the U.S. could punch their ticket to Qatar on Sunday.

12 12 12 12 12 12