USMNT's Christian Pulisic on Mexico draw: 'Could have gone either way'

MEXICO CITY — It didn't get the historic win it was looking for, but the United States national team picked up an important point at the Estadio Azteca, taking a significant step toward World Cup qualification in a 0-0 draw with Mexico.

Coupled with Panama's 1-1 draw with Honduras, the United States is in a much more comfortable position to qualify for Qatar 2022 than it was when the day began.

It could have been even better.

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The U.S. had the game's two best chances but Christian Pulisic and Jordan Pefok both missed from close range, either of which might have resulted in the team's first ever win at the Estadio Azteca in World Cup qualifying.

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

“I think it's a game that could've gone either way. I thought we had the better offensive chances and we had good spells, but a draw is fair.»

After talk about possibly rotating the side with an eye toward Sunday's pivotal game against Panama, U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter selected what appeared to be a first-choice lineup.

«We wanted to put a team on the field that could win the game in Azteca,» Berhalter said. «That was the most important thing. There's plenty of time to recover.»

Despite the underwhelming and scoreless draw at home, Mexico manager Gerardo «Tata'» Martino appeared