USMNT, Mexico make most of limited chances in friendly draw

Both the USMNT and Mexico scored with their only shot on goal, as the CONCACAF rivals played to a 1-1 draw in a friendly in Glendale, Arizona, on Wednesday.

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The vast majority of each side’s squad consisted of domestic-based players, with the Continental Clasico falling outside of a FIFA international window, meaning players at European clubs would have likely not been released for the USMNT vs Mexico fixture.

It was an extra opportunity for players on the fringe — largely on the outside, looking in — to show that they would add value to, say, this summer’s Gold Cup squad, to perhaps earn a look for Copa America 2024, and, if all goes perfectly, a place for the 2026 World Cup.

Mexico had their lone sight of goal in the 55th minute, and the Americans had no one but themselves to blame for it. Kellyn Acosta played a nightmare ball all the way across the field and toward his own goal, causing Aaron Long to desperately clear the misplaced ball — only he didn’t get it clear, it came off Uriel Antuna and the Mexican midfielder had 50 yards of green grass in front of him.

On the plus side, the USMNT’s goal was of far higher quality than Mexico’s opener, with Sergino Dest (the lone European-based player on the roster), Alan Sonora and Jordan Morris all picking out difficult passes in one fell swoop down the left wing. From the start to Jesus Ferreira’s finish, they all made it look easy.

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Stars of the show

How to watch USMNT vs Mexico en Espanol

Streaming en Español: Peacock Premium

USMNT 23-man roster for Continental Clasico versus Mexico

(caps in parenthesis)

Goalkeepers

Sean Johnson, Toronto FC (11)
Drake Callender, Inter Miami (0)
Roman Celentano, FC Cincinnati (0)

Defenders

DeAndre Yedlin, Inter Miami (77)
Walker Zimmerman, Nashville SC (39)
Aaron Long, LAFC (31)
Sergino Dest, AC Milan (24)
Matt Miazga, FC Cincinnati (22)
Shaq Moore, Nashville (17)
Julian Gressel, Vancouver Whitecaps (2)
Joshua Wynder, Louisville City (0)
Caleb Wiley, Atlanta United (0)

Midfielders

Kellyn Acosta, LAFC (57)
Cristian Roldan, Seattle Sounders (32)
Jackson Yueill, San Jose Earthquakes (16)
James Sands, NYCFC (7)
Alan Sonora, FC Juarez (2)
Aidan Morris, Columbus Crew (2)

Forwards

Jordan Morris, Seattle Sounders (51)
Paul Arriola, FC Dallas (50)
Jesus Ferreira, FC Dallas (17)
Brandon Vazquez, FC Cincinnati (2)
Cade Cowell, San Jose Earthquakes (2)

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USMNT, Mexico make most of limited chances in friendly draw originally appeared on NBCSports.com