Mexico and the United States share the points in a 0-0 draw in a CONCACAF World Cup qualifier on Thursday in Mexico City.
A win for both teams would put them on the brink of relegation, but both would have to wait, with the result leaving the United States and Mexico in second and third place respectively with two games to go.
Costa Rica came in fourth after their 1-0 win over Canadian CONCACAF leaders – who missed out on a place in Qatar – with Ticos now three points behind US and Mexico who are 22 points adrift.
In a game in which Mexico caught a lion, it was the Americans who created the best chances, with Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa looking young at the age of 36.
Ochoa was called in for the 14th minute to deny Yunus Musah, and in the 36th minute to prevent Christian Pulisic from keeping things going for the rest of the season.
Pulisic got another chance just minutes before the start of the second period, but his sharp chance was blocked by Ochoa as he finished the game four saves. Hirving Lozano had two chances in Mexico in the second half, but sent one in the 57th minute, and one in the crossbar in the 80th minute.
The last US game against Costa Rica on Wednesday develops to have more on the line. The top three CONCACAF qualifiers will advance to the World Cup, while the fourth-placed qualifiers will advance to the play-offs.
