USA vs. Mexico 2017: Live coverage and score updates

The United States earned a big point in World Cup qualifying on Sunday, getting a 1-1 draw against Mexico in the Estadio Azteca, just the third time they’ve ever earned points there in qualifying matches. It wasn’t always a pretty match, but a stunning goal from Michael Bradley was enough to get the point and help boost the USMNT’s standing in the final round of qualifying in CONCACAF.

The match started testily, with a pair of hard fouls from Mexico that arguably should have seen El Tri lose a player go completely uncalled. The United States trudged through that, though, and moved forward despite the harsh contact being thrown at them to try and create scoring opportunities — like Michael Bradley pushing up to get on a loose ball in the sixth minute, then chipping Guillermo Ochoa from 40 yards to give the USMNT a shocking early lead.

Mexico got off to a poor start against the United States in their World Cup qualifier on Sunday night, but they were back level after less than half an hour, thanks to Carlos Vela.

Just seconds before this move, the USMNT had been threatening El Tri’s goal. But that meant they were out of shape, allowing Mexico to execute this quick counter, which tied up the game at 1-1.

Captain America hasn’t been in the best form for his country in recent years, but there won’t be anyone calling for the benching of Michael Bradley after this. His goal to put the United States ahead of Mexico at Estadio Azteca is probably the best of his career.

El Tri’s midfield looked like it was standing still on this goal, and Memo Ochoa could hardly believe he got so easily chipped. This put the USMNT up 1-0, and it’s a goal Bradley will never forget.

Following a 2-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago, Bruce Arena has decided to change the United States men’s national team’s lineup considerably for the big showdown with Mexico. He hinted at big changes on Sunday and he’s followed through, changing formations and goalkeepers as well.

Brad Guzan starting over Tim Howard is sure to raise some eyebrows, as is a switch to a back three. The Americans were outplayed using a three-man back line in their first matchup against Mexico, and Jürgen Klinsmann was heavily criticized for it. Paul Arriola will get his first competitive start for the Americans, while 35-year-old DaMarcus Beasley, who had previously retired from international football, gets the nod on the left.

Mexico is cruising in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying and could be the first team to seal a place in the 2018 World Cup. The United States is behind in their quest to punch their ticket to Russia, but they’ll be right back on track if they avoid defeat in Mexico City on Sunday.

Back in November, El Tri contributed to the downfall of Jürgen Klinsmann by beating the USMNT in Columbus. The Americans are seeking revenge for that, and a win would be their first ever victory in a World Cup qualifier away to Mexico. Their best results at Estadio Azteca are a pair of 0-0 draws.

CONCACAF is hitting the final stretch of qualifying for the 2018 World Cup, with the second half of the Hex round getting underway when the United States head south of the border to face Mexico in the foreboding environment of the Estadio Azteca. Fortunately, this match is slightly less of a must-win than their last match was — but it would still be awfully nice if the USMNT could sneak a win against El Tri, or at least a draw.

The USMNT has lost two straight matches against Mexico, snapping a five-year unbeaten run against its biggest rivals in CONCACAF. Those two losses heralded the end of Jurgen Klinsmann’s tenure as the manager of the national team, and so far Bruce Arena has been doing a solid job of stabilizing and reorganizing the squad. They’ve won two of their last three Hex round qualifiers, bringing them up to third place in the standings and back into a spot that would see them advance to the World Cup — a significant improvement on where things were when Arena took over.