A brilliant defensive display from the United States helped Jurgen Klinsmann's men to a precious 0-0 tie against Mexico at the iconic Azteca Stadium in their 2014 World Cup Qualifier.
Mexico were desperate to pick up their first victory of the second round hexagonal of the CONCACAF region, only for defensive duo Matt Besler and Omar Gonzalez, aided well by goalkeeper Brad Guzan, to repel all attacks.
The result means U.S. stay second in the standings, a point behind first-places Panama. Honduras also has four points, but they are third owing to an inferior goal difference.
Mexico remains winless after three games, and the pressure will now be firmly on coach Jose Manuel de la Torre.
The Americans were already missing several of their regular players, and they were forced into making a couple more with Jermaine Jones and Clarence Goodson picking up injuries.
Maurice Edu replaced Jones in midfield, while Besler was the man to take the place of Goodson at the heart of the U.S. defense.
The Americans looked solid defensively down the middle, but the Mexicans took advantage down the flanks, particularly targeting makeshift left-back DaMarcus Beasley.
Javier Aquino kept attacking Beasley down Mexico's right, and it looked like the goal would eventually come from that side as the American veteran started to feel the pressure, picking up a yellow card for a foul on Aquino in the eighth minute.
However, most of the crosses were dealt with brilliantly by the center-half pairing of Gonzalez and Besler, with the former in particular impressive.
Javier Hernandez, expectedly, had the best chances for Mexico, but the Manchester United striker surprisingly left his scoring boots off the field, missing a couple of very makeable chances.
The Americans were struggling to create any sort of real opening, with the away side coming closest when Jozy Altidore tried to find Michael Bradley inside the box, but only managed to over hit the pass by a small margin.
Mexico continued to press the U.S. defense, with Gonzalez as sturdy as ever, refusing to let them find a way through. Guzan was also good in goal, making the saves when required.
The away side was a little more balanced in the second period and seemed to keep the ball better as the Mexicans slowly but surely ran out of gas and ideas.
