USMNT draws Mexico – How social media reacted to the CONCACAF World Cup

The U.S. men’s national team went to Mexico on Thursday to begin the crucial final window of 2022 CONCACAF World Cup qualifying, and coach Gregg Berhalter promised they’d be aggressive. Unfortunately for Berhalter (and fans), that approach didn’t result in any goals for the U.S. — and likewise for Mexico, El Tri could not find an opening to score either.

The match ended 0-0, and scoreless draw isn’t the worst result for either team — they each won a point, and they both have two more games to try to get another six points to clinch their spots in Qatar. It just wasn’t exactly the most fun iteration of this storied rivalry to watch.

So, with the match ending with a bit of a thud, here is how the internet reacted to the high and lows (well, there weren’t that many highs, but you get the point):

Pregame

Once the game got started, those on the scene couldn’t help but notice that Estadio Azteca had a subdued atmosphere due to capacity restrictions.

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The stadium normally fits 87,000 people, but the Mexican Football Federation scaled back capacity to 50,000 both due to COVID-19 and to better control the crowd amid worries about the anti-gay chants often heard at Mexican national team matches.

Attendees were required to go through a registration system, called Fan ID, which makes it easier for fans who violate the rules to be banned from future matches.

Restrictions keeping this from being a packed house @ el estadio Azteca 🏟

Fan ID in place for todays game as well. #ElTriEng #USMNT *

*5 year ban for violators of protocol

— herculez gomez (@herculezg) March 25, 2022

Azteca is empty. And I mean EMPTY.

Mexico is there for the taking will the @USMNT do it???? #USMNT

— Taylor Twellman (@TaylorTwellman) March 25, 2022

The #usmnt supporters are here, cheering, and getting whistled. All according to plan. pic.twitter.com/rs0YTBMbY9

— Jeff Carlisle (@JeffreyCarlisle) March 25, 2022

However, there was at least one American celebrity sighting: Actor Owen Wilson was at the match backing the U.S. team. Meanwhile, for Mexico, pop singer Mijares sang the Mexican national anthem.

“Wow.” https://t.co/aDr59IJcwd pic.twitter.com/kIKmaXqxWv

— U.S. Soccer MNT (@USMNT) March 25, 2022

👏🏻 👏🏻 👏🏻
¡Gran interpretación de nuestro Himno Nacional por parte de @MijaresOficial! 💚 🇲🇽#ApoyoIncondicional | #HechoDeLosMexicanos pic.twitter.com/64eHbPkHb0

— Selección Nacional (@miseleccionmx) March 25, 2022

35th minute

The match sprung to life in the 35th minute when Timothy Weah, racing up the right flank, crossed past the face of goal for Christian Pulisic. Without a runner keeping up with him, Pulisic tried the one-time shot with his left foot, but goalkeeper Memo Ochoa did well to block it.

It ended up being the USMNT’s best chance of the first half. Pulisic gave USMNT fans a scare when he stayed down on the play, but he did get up, albeit gingerly.

Guillermo Ochoa, already on World Cup form. #ElTriEng

— Cesar Hernandez (@cesarhfutbol) March 25, 2022

You have to score that. Simple #USMNT

— Taylor Twellman (@TaylorTwellman)