United States and Mexico completed a game without goals. Also, the American team survives one more time in Azteca stadium. The goalkeeper, Guillermo Ochoa, saved three relevant plays of USA. Mexico played and pressured a lot in the last terms of the match. However, they couldn´t open the scoreboard.
Mexico is still on an awful shape and with a very bad football. In other match for the qualification of Qatar 2022., the team managed by “Tata” Martino did larger the distance between the fans and all the people on the stadium and them. The people were tired of the way to play of their national team. They don´t have to be worried about the classification (Panama has to win the two matches left) except the feelings of the team for the World Cup.
About the away team, their fans are also so exciting for this derby. Around a thousand American followers were on Azteca and they sounded like ten thousand people. Despite of the draw, the game was not totally quiet for both teams. Ochoa was probably the MVP of the match with plenty saves from the guys of Gregg Berhalter. The best catches of Mexican legend were against Pulisic (Chelsea FC) and Jordan Pefok (Young Boys). Raul Jimenez and Jesus Manuel Corona completed also a good performance with some shots between the three crossbar.
The match was too long for United States. Also, in the first half of the game, due to competitive the game was plagued of fouls. Up to five yellow cards on the first 45´minutes. Mexico had also the control of the match, with 63% of possession during the game, they were the main creator of plays. Despite of this fact, was United States the team with most scoring chances and more corners. This show that possession doesn´t mean anything.
This result leave the teams in a comfortable position(22 and 21 points respectively). The bets are that both teams will be on Qatar 2022. However, neither of them has insurance be on the bigger event of national teams. United States will play against Panama (an easy match for them). Mexico will play against Honduras in a tough match.
Jorge Barbero
