Jesus Ferreira celebrates his equalizing goal. (Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)

Jesus Ferreira connected for the equalizer in the 81st minute to boost the U.S. men’s national team into a 1-1 draw with Mexico before a crowd of  55,730 in the inaugural Continental Clasico at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. on Wednesday night.

The Americans extended their unbeaten streak to five games against the Mexicans.

Ferreira converted a a pass from Jordan Morris from the left side past goalkeeper Carlos Acevedo from close range.

El Tri tallied 10 minutes into the second half as he intercepted a poor pass from center back Aaron Long before he beat goalkeeper Sean Johnson to lift the visitors into a 1-0 lead. It was the first goal that Johnson conceded for the USMNT since 2011.

U.S. head coach Anthony Hudson fielded a starting XI that featured eight players from the 2022 World Cup roster in a match where quality chances were limited for either side.

The USA’s best chance in the opening half came after four minutes when winger Jordan Morris pressured a ball in the box, forcing goalkeeper Carlos Acevedo to step off his line to clear. The ball caromed off of Morris and skidded just wide.

Mexico’s threats came from distance in the first half, with Luis Chavez coming close on a shot from the top of the 18 that sailed just wide right. Chavez and Alexis Vega also whipped two free kicks into the area that narrowly missed Mexico attackers.

The teams played a scoreless opening 45 minutes for a fourth straight meeting,

The USA and Mexico will meet again in the Concacaf Nations League semifinal in Las Vegas on June 15. The winner will face either Canada or Panama in the final three days later.

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.