A draw is soccer’s way of separating the optimists from the pessimists.
You didn’t win, but you didn’t lose either. You dropped two points, but you earned one.
So is the glass half empty or half full?
For the U.S. national team, there’s no debate. After Sunday’s 1-1 tie with Mexico in a rainy and raucous Estadio Azteca, the newly optimistic Americans came away believing their glass was overflowing.
Not only did they earn a point in a place that has been a notoriously difficult venue for visitors, but they remained unbeaten on the year, took another big step up the qualifying ladder and positioned themselves to win a spot in an eighth consecutive World Cup when the CONCACAF tournament resumes in September.