USMNT coach Berhalter: We've discussed playing 'B' team vs. Mexico but we're aiming to win

MEXICO CITY — While United States coach Gregg Berhalter wasn't willing to divulge any details about the starting XI he'll use in Thursday's World Cup qualifier against Mexico, he downplayed the idea that team is willing to play for a draw at the Estadio Azteca.

«We want to win all three games [this window],» he said. «We're going to put a team on the field in Mexico that is going to try and win the game.»

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Berhalter didn't dismiss the idea that the team could field a «B» squad, with the goal of staying fresh for Sunday's pivotal game against fourth-place Panama in Orlando. He acknowledged he took the idea to his staff and they debated its merits.

«I think it was an important exercise to do for us,» he said. «We came out with our answer, and you'll see tomorrow. Certainly, there's no harm in looking at both sides of this thing.»

The United States has never won a competitive match at the Azteca, and is 0-3-3, all-time, in the venue in World Cup qualifying.

«Our record here is horrendous. The odds are against us getting something out of the game,» Berhalter said. «We know that. We realize that. That's just how it is and we're focused on going in and being difficult to play against.»

U.S. star attacker Christian Pulisic also wasn't willing to concede the Americans will be content not to chase three points.

«It would mean everything [to win at the Azteca],» he said. «We know it's not going to be easy. Of course, we've got the better of them in the last couple of games, but that means nothing coming into tomorrow's game. So we're going need to