Michael Bradley scores a glorious lob against Mexico

Two CONCACAF powers meet Sunday night when the USA faces Mexico in a World Cup qualifying match at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.

The MNT has a 1-8-2 record in 11 all-time visits to Estadio Azteca and is 0-5-2 in seven World Cup Qualifiers at the historic stadium.

Jurgen Klinsmann was sacked and replaced by Bruce Arena and is heading into this clash on the back of an impressive 2-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago.

In another spectacle between the regional powers, US captain Michael Bradley silenced the blockbuster crowd in the sixth minute with a stunning chip from 40 yards.

With its second draw in three road qualifiers, the USA team continued to recover from its very bad 0-2 start last fall under Klinsmann.

Any time you can get a point here, that’s great.

The draw means Mexico maintain their six-point lead at the top of the qualifying group ahead of second-placed United States and Costa Rica, who are both on eight points, although the latter have a game in hand and a superior goal difference.

Given the forgiving nature of the group, which sees the top three teams automatically reach Russian Federation while the fourth faces a play-off against an Asian side, losing on the road will not be fatal to American prospects as long as they keep winning at home.

“It is going to be very challenging right until the end”, head coach Bruce Arena said, after his team secured a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Mexico on Sunday night, “But I feel good about where we are”.

The U.S. got a ideal start to the game as Bradley scored in the sixth minute with a long-range chip that beat Guillermo Ochoa as the goalkeeper was way off his line.

Pulisic played at Estadio Azteca with the U.S. U-15 Boys National Team during the 2013 Copa Mexico de Naciones.

While the US had barely 30 percent of possession and was forced to defend furiously in the second half, Mexico’s attack failed to make that final pass and had only one shot on goal – Vela’s.

The U.S. was 0-19-1 in Mexico City – getting outscored 81-14 – before a 1-0 exhibition win five years ago. Michael Bradley scored on a 35 yard chipped goal in the 6th minute, but the lead lasted until just the 23rd minute, when Carlos Vela scored on a well placed shot.

Clint Dempsey, 34 and one goal from tying Landon Donovan’s American record of 57 worldwide goals, could get rotated out.

Mallory Pugh, a 19-year-old who earlier this year made a decision to go pro rather than play college soccer, injured her ankle in warmups, according to U.S. Soccer officials. Maybe the most shocking change was in goal, where Arena chose to start Brad Guzan over Tim Howard. He worked the infamous Snow Classio in Colorado four years ago, a 1-0 US win over Costa Rica in heavy snow.

The US and Mexico share one of the most intense rivalries between countries in the world.

Michael Bradley had his sublime goal cancelled out by Carlos Vela, as the score ended 1-1.

The entire US defense. “We’ve played against [Ochoa] a number of times“.

We have CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying with Mexico vs United States of America. “We certainly benefited from the things we did over the last two weeks”.

That the set the tone for an entertaining first half, in which El Tri looked to threaten with build-up play, making them the most unsafe side. Kellyn Acosta and Paul Arriola were in midfield and Wood at forward.

“I tossed it around in our office with the [assistant] coaches”, Arena said.