A 40-yard wondergoal from Michael Bradley propelled the U.S. Men’s National Team to a precious 1-1 draw against archrivals Mexico on Sunday at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
Sporting Kansas City defender Graham Zusi earned his 48th cap as a 92nd-minute substitute, helping the U.S. MNT collect a valuable point in CONCACAF’s Hexagonal round of FIFA World Cup Qualifying. His club teammate Matt Besler was an unused substitute as the Americans extended their unbeaten streak at the vaunted Estadio Azteca to three matches dating back to 2012.
Bradley opened the scoring in spectacular style after just six minutes, intercepting a pass at midfield and chipping Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa from well outside the box. Carlos Vela drew the hosts level in the 23rd minute — converting the Mexicans’ lone shot on target all evening — but the U.S. effectively stymied El Tri for the remainder of the match to emerge from the hostile environment with a result.
Head coach Bruce Arena has steadied the World Cup Qualifying ship in recent months, notching two wins and two draws since March to lift the U.S. MNT from sixth place to third in the Hex. The side will end its qualifying campaign with a pair of matches in both September and October, hoping to secure a top-three spot and an automatic berth to the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia that comes with it.
Hexagonal Standings
Team |
PTS |
W |
L |
D |
GF |
GA |
GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mexico |
14 |
4 |
0 |
2 |
9 |
2 |
+7 |
Costa Rica |
8 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
7 |
3 |
+4 |
United States |
8 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
11 |
8 |
+3 |
Panama |
6 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
Honduras |
4 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
4 |
12 |
-8 |
Trinidad and Tobago |
3 |
1 |
4 |
0 |
2 |
8 |
-6 |
Mexico, meanwhile, remains atop the Hexagonal standings and will now travel to Russia for the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup, which runs from June 17 – July 2.
Besler and Zusi were two of three Sporting KC players named to the provisional 40-man squad for the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup, joining England-born striker Dom Dwyer. The tournament roster will be announced in the coming days, with the Gold Cup unfolding from July 7-26 in 14 different cities across the U.S.
Sporting Kansas City will welcome Besler and Zusi back to the squad ahead of Wednesday’s Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup fourth round matchup against Minnesota United FC at Children’s Mercy Park. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. CT and tickets are available via SeatGeek.com.
