USMNT inches closer to World Cup with Mexico draw, but miss chance to take giant leap towards Qatar

Heading into Thursday's clash at the Azteca, a game that had massive implications on both side's World Cup hopes, the U.S. men's national team had never beaten Mexico in a road World Cup qualifier.

The Azteca, for years, has been a house of horrors for the U.S. and a place where Mexico could bank on three points.

But, entering Thursday's match, the USMNT had Mexico's number. The group had beaten their local rivals three times over the course of a year, twice with trophies on the line and once in a World Cup qualifier. The pendulum, many said, had begun to swing as the U.S. was on quite the streak against El Tri.

So something had to give right?

Well, no, as the two teams split points to keep their respective World Cup qualifying hopes fully intact. A somewhat muted qualifying clash, perhaps the last of its kind with the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, ended in a 0-0 draw that left all involved with a collective feeling of meh.

It was a third straight qualifying draw at Azteca for the Americans, who are unbeaten in their past four trips here.

A loss on Thursday wouldn't have been a death blow for either side, but it certainly would have sent either running for the panic button. And, with the results around CONCACAF, a win for either wouldn't have seen them clinch, but it would have had them feeling much better about where they stood.

Instead, the historic rivals split points to keep hold of the second and third spots in the table, ensuring the last two games of this World Cup qualifying cycle will mean everything when it comes to sealing a spot in Qatar.

Despite talk this week about feeling a weakened lineup, Gregg Berhalter went with his A-team, opting to focus on the here and now instead of what will be a crucial clash