While the United States have shown momentary signs of life, it remains all Mexico in Columbus as the match nears halftime. Christian Giménez nearly put Mexico in the lead but was denied by Tim Howard and a nice defensive play by Héctor Moreno blocked a Landon Donvan effort to keep the match scoreless.
USA vs. Mexico: El Tri still in control but no goals as halftime nears
Mexico's best opportunity to take the lead came in the 19th minute after Fabian Johnson got caught in possession and made a bad giveaway in the center of the midfield. Mexico went on the offensive after a failed attempt to work through the middle the ball popped out right where it was picked up by Christian Giménez.
Giménez cut back to the right creating a pocket of space and fired a hard shot that was parried away by Tim Howard.
The US avoided being punished for another mistake in the 24th minute when Omar Gonzalez was beaten down the left by Giovanni Dos Santos. Jermaine Jones made an excellent covering run and muscled Dos Santos off the ball before the Mexican attacker went to ground. The referee wasn't interested and play went on.
Just before the 30-minute mark Landon Donovan got behind the Mexico defense and worked his way into the Mexico box before cutting inside. Just as Donovan took the shot, defender Héctor Moreno came sliding across and blocked the shot up in the air for an easy catch by goalkeeper Jose de Jesus Corona.
The US came ever so close to taking the lead in the 31st minute when Eddie Johnson was left open in the middle of the box on a corner kick. Johnson skied over a defender and headed the ball on target where Jose de Jesus Corona was waiting to make a save.
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