The US men’s team went to Mexico on Thursday to start the crucial final window of the 2022 CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers, and coach Greg Berhalter promised they would be aggressive. Unfortunately for Berhalter (and the fans), this approach did not yield any goals for the United States – and also for Mexico, don’t you see Couldn’t find an opportunity to sign up either.
The match ended 0-0, and a goalless draw is not the worst result for both teams – they each win a point, and both have two more games trying to get six more points to seal their spot in Qatar. It wasn’t exactly the most fun iteration of watching this storied rivalry.
So, with the match ending with a bit of a hype, here’s how the internet reacts to the highs and lows (well, there weren’t many highs, but you get the point):
before the match
As soon as the game started, those in the scene couldn’t help but notice that Estadio Azteca had a calm atmosphere due to capacity limitations.
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The stadium normally holds 87,000 people, but the Mexican soccer federation has reduced its capacity to 50,000 due to COVID-19 and to better control crowds amid concerns about the anti-gay chants often heard at Mexican national team matches.
Attendees were asked to go through a scoring system called Fan ID, which makes it easier for fans who break the rules to be banned from future matches.
Restrictions preventing this from being a cramped house @ el estadio Azteca 🏟
The cheerleader card is in place to play today, too. #ElTriEng #USMNT *
* 5-year ban for protocol violators
– Herculezg 25 March 2022
Empty Azteca. And I mean empty.
Mexico is there to take the will Tweet embed do it???? #USMNT
– Taylor Twellman (@TaylorTwellman) 25 March 2022
The # Hahahahahahahaha The protagonists are here, cheering, and receiving whistles. All according to plan. pic.twitter.com/rs0YTBMbY9
– Jeff Carlisle (@JeffreyCarlisle) 25 March 2022
However, there was at least one American celebrity: actor Owen Wilson was at the match to support the American team. Meanwhile, in Mexico, pop singer Mijares sang the Mexican national anthem.
“Gorgeous.” https://t.co/aDr59IJcwd pic.twitter.com/kIKmaXqxWv
– US Soccer MNT (USMNT) 25 March 2022
👏🏻 👏🏻 👏🏻
^ Gran Interpretación de nuestro Himno Nacional por parte de Tweet embed! 💚 🇲🇽#abuyo | # Hahaha pic.twitter.com/64eHbPkHb0– Seleccion Nacional (miseleccionmx) 25 March 2022
minute 35
The match bounced back to life in the 35th minute when Timothy Weahracing on the right flank, past the goalpost for Christian Pulisic. Without a runner to go along with him, Pulisic tried the one-off shot with his left foot, but it was blocked by goalkeeper Memo Ochoa.
It ended up being USMNT’s best chance of the first half. Pulisic gave USMNT fans a panic as he stayed in the play, but he woke up, albeit very cautiously.
Guillermo Ochoa, already in the World Cup. #ElTriEng
– Cesar Hernandez (@cesarhfutbol) 25 March 2022
You have to record it. basic #USMNT
– Taylor Twellman (@TaylorTwellman) 25 March 2022
Well I guess I get it now – the xG of a Pulisic Chance is about 1 billion, right?
– Sam Borden 25 March 2022
Ochoa with a massive save from Pulisic. The Pulisic is down. # Hahahahahahahaha
– Jeff Carlisle (@JeffreyCarlisle) 25 March 2022
🔥⚽🧤 ¡Atagadon! ¡Guillermo Ochoa le quita el gol a Christian Pulisic!
📲🔴 ¡EN VIVO! https://t.co/A2Uew5a4j2
📺 TUDN #CaminoAQatar | #shock_gigantes pic.twitter.com/7kvPXON618
– TUDN USA (TUDNUSA) 25 March 2022
The first half saw neither side exercise control or control of the match, and there were a lot of wrong touches.
Mexico completed 72.5% of its passes in the first half, while the United States completed only 66.4%. Of Mexico’s four shots in the first half, only one was on target. The US also had four shots but put three in the frame.
Tecatito Corona’s first touch makes every morning beer league player shake his head in solidarity.
– Will Parchman 25 March 2022
half time
With the score 0-0 and neither side having the advantage, social media took some time to reflect on the 45 minutes of football everyone just watched. This was not exactly what everyone was hoping for.
All the sexy videos promised me fun, but this first half gave me nothing but dirty football, less atmosphere, no goals. It’s like a “Tinder profile vs. real life” meme but for the World Cup qualifiers. #USMNT
– Caitlin Murray (@caitlinmurr) 25 March 2022
credit to Tweet embed next to me for trying to jinx it upside down in Mexico and the US just by declaring, “It’s headed for 0-0, isn’t it?”
– John Arnold (@ArnoldcommaJon) 25 March 2022
HT Mexico 0-0 USA
Two great saves from Guillermo Ochoa, but overall the first 45 minutes were fairly quiet. Mexico needs to do a better job with its possession. It needs more creativity. #ElTriEng
– Cesar Hernandez (@cesarhfutbol) 25 March 2022
HT 0: 0
Thank you to everyone who has shared their interest in playing at right-back. We will review your requests and keep you updated.
– The American Outlaws (AmericanOutlaws) 25 March 2022
First half stats. As you can see from xG, the first half wasn’t particularly exciting. Mexico goalkeeper Mimo Ochoa may have been the first half man, but it wasn’t like he had a lot to do. #USMNT pic.twitter.com/T5HERnLo5E
– Caitlin Murray (@caitlinmurr) 25 March 2022
Minute 72
If Pulisic’s saved first-half shot is hard for USMNT fans to see, Jordan Bivok He overtook him in the 72nd minute. With a golden opportunity to score from the middle of the penalty area, Pivok sent his shot on a wide right.
As the reactions from social media have indicated, the USMNT is likely to be 1-0 up at that point.
What do you think…
– Herculezg 25 March 2022
The end of Pefok has just reached the outer orbit of Alpha Centauri. What is in the name of God, man.
– Will Parchman 25 March 2022
It’s easier for Pefok to score than to miss there
– James Tyler (@JamesTylerESPN) 25 March 2022
my word. Reyna lifts Pefok and shoots wide from the doorstep. # Hahahahahahahaha
– Jeff Carlisle (@JeffreyCarlisle) 25 March 2022
😥😩 ¡Increíble Falla de Pefok!
La que se perdió el Team USA 😥😩 😥😩 😥😩
📲🔴 ¡EN VIVO! https://t.co/A2Uew5a4j2
📺 TUDN #CaminoAQatar | #shock_gigantes pic.twitter.com/6z0SaOCTo8
– TUDN USA (TUDNUSA) 25 March 2022
final whistle
In the end, Team USMNT stood up well to the challenge of road play at the Estadio Azteca, and chances were definitely there to win.
But that was not the case. And now the USMNT has two more games to secure the points they need to qualify for the World Cup. Next, the US faces Panama in Orlando, Florida, on Sunday.
Presented: # Hahahahahahahaha 0-0 #ElTriEng
A rare example when the US thinks it could have gotten away with winning. Having said that, the visitors walked towards the finish line. They will take the point and prepare for Panama. And yes, Tyler Adams avoided the color yellow.– Jeff Carlisle (@JeffreyCarlisle) 25 March 2022
respect, Tweet embed. pic.twitter.com/Hi2iQuuloy
– US Soccer MNT (USMNT) 25 March 2022