US gains 0-0 draw at Mexico, in strong position to qualify

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Christian Pulisic pounded the ground three times just past Mexico's goal line after his point-blank shot was blocked in the 35th minute.

The United States was frustrated yet pleased with a gritty 0-0 draw on Thursday night in the thin air of a half-full Estadio Azteca. The point earned put the Americans in position to all but clinch a World Cup berth with a victory against Panama on Sunday night at Orlando, Florida.

"We put ourselves in a position to play on Sunday and win and go to the World Cup," Pulisic said. "But of course I'm disappointed I missed a chance, and I would have loved to have won the game."

The U.S. maintained second place in North and Central America and the Caribbean with 22 points, four behind Canada, and ahead of Mexico on goal difference. The top three nations reach this year’s World Cup in Qatar, and the No. 4 team advances to a playoff, likely against New Zealand.

With a victory Sunday, the U.S. would ensure that fourth-place Costa Rica could only pull even by winning its final two games. The U.S. has a plus-nine goal difference, the first tiebreaker, and the Ticos are plus-two following a 1-0 win over Canada. If Costa Rica fails to win at El Salvador and the U.S. beats Panama, which has 18 points after being held to a 1-1 draw by visiting Honduras, the Americans would clinch outright.

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United States' Christian Pulisic (10) competes for the ball against Mexico's Cesar Montes, left, and Jorge Sanchez during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 at Azteca stadium in Mexico City, Thursday, March 24, 2022. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)

The U.S. closes