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USA draws with Mexico, win against Panama to qualify for World Cup with Asa Smith from Touchlines & Touchdowns Podcast
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Download file | Play in new window | Duration: 52:37 | Recorded on March 25, 2022 Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher
USA draws with Mexico 0-0 for World Cup qualifying
Contributors Santiago Leon – @sleon Asa Smith – @TLs_n_TDs
Asa – Touchlines & Touchdowns Podcast
Worlds First and Therefore Best Football/Futbol Mashup Podcast with @diamondsesq@mrmojorising89and friends. Part of @touchlinemg. Eps on Mondays and Thursdays
USA draws with Mexico 0-0It was Mexico that rode the hot hands of a goalkeeper, in this case Memo Ochoa, to survive. Mexico’s xG of 0.55 was its lowest in its qualifying matches for the 2022 World Cup.
Yes, the U.S. limped across the finish line, taking an anywhere-will-do approach to passing over the last 15 minutes. Manager Gregg Berhalter threw on just about every available defender he had — both Erik Palmer-Brown and Aaron Long earned their first appearances in a World Cup qualifier. It was enough for the U.S. to secure a valuable point on the road.
Christian Pulisic with the sitterChristian Pulisic spurned a glorious chance in the 35th minute, contriving to hit his shot right at Ochoa after good approach work by Kellyn Acosta.
This was one of those CONCACAF World Cup qualifying nights that served up a gift in the form of Panama drawing 1-1 with bottom-of-the-table Honduras. A win by the U.S. over the Canaleros in Orlando on Sunday and the U.S. can reach its four-point goal and stop worrying about Panama edging it out of a World Cup spot as it did four years ago.
Gio Reyna with six one v ones
Mexico 63% ball possession to USA’s 37%Mexico 11 shots on goal to USA’s 9
Mexico lineup: Corona, Jimenez, Lozano, Herrera, Alvarez, Rodriguez, Arteaga, Vasquez, Montes, Sanches, OchoaCoach: Martino
USA lineup: Steffen, Yedlin, Zimmerman, Ronbinson, Robison, Acosta, Adams, Musah, Weah, Pepi, PulisciCoach: Berhalter
Next Games USA: Pan, Costa RicaMEX: HON, El Salvador
With Panama drawing at home to Honduras, the Americans are on the verge of qualifying for the 2022 World Cup and can do so on Sunday when they host the Panamanians in Orlando. A win will all but punch their ticket, with only a catastrophic, severely lop-sided loss at Costa Rica to follow on the final matchday being the only way they miss out.
Last night’s other resultsJAM 1 EL SALV 1PAN 1 HON 1CR 1 CAN 0
Table
Canada – 25pts
USA – 22pts
Mexico – 22pts
Costa Rica – 19pts
Panama – 19pts
El Salvador – 10pts
Jamaica – 8pts
Honduras – 4pts
Predictions
Canada vs JamaicaAS: 2-0
El Salvador vs Costa RicaAS: CR 2-0
USA vs PanamaAS: USA 3 Panama 1
Honduras vs MexicoAS: Mexico