Mexico and Canada fail to impress in draw; USMNT held by New Zealand

All of the big-boys in CONCACAF were in action Tuesday evening as the United States took on New Zealand, while Mexico and Canada clashed. Here is what went down.

Mexico 0-0 Canada

Mexico and Canada played out a scoreless draw in Dallas void of exciting goalmouth action to round off the international break.

It was hardly a classic opening 45 minutes, as neither side could get a handle on the ball and create meaningful scoring opportunities.

Mexico fashioned the best chance of the game after the restart when Santi Giménez got in behind the Canada defense, but the striker was unable to poke the ball past the onrushing keeper.

After an impressive win against the United States last time out, Canada failed to impress this time around. Mexico, however, continue to struggle as they look to reclaim a foothold in CONCACAF.

USA 1-1 New Zealand

Scorers: Pulisic 69′ ; Ben Waine 89′

Despite the United States seeing most of the possession and the scoring chances, they could only manage a friendly draw with New Zealand in Cincinnati.

It was an opening 45 minutes in which the United States dominated every facet of the game except where it mattered most — putting the ball in the back of the net.

Ricardo Pepi appeared to put the U.S. ahead when he arrowed a shot into the bottom corner, but a late flag from the linesman saw the goal chalked off.

As was the complaint through most of the dying days of the Gregg Berhalter era, the Stars and Stripes managed to move the ball into the threatening areas on plenty of occasions after the break, but the final pass or finish always seemed to be missing.

It appeared all that was missing was a little stardust. After coming off the bench around the hour-mark, Christian Pulisic opened the scoring with a delicate finish from inside the box.

The home side’s luck spoiled in the dying minutes when the deflected clearance of a New Zealand break somehow evaded the onrushing Matt Turner, bouncing just over the head of the keeper and into the back of the net to rescue a draw for the visitors.