Mexico or Panama still loom as the the All Whites likely opponents for a place at next year's football world cup in Brazil after the latest round of world cup qualifying pool games.
Mexico lost two-nil to the United States in Ohio, dropping them to fifth in the CONCACAF group with two games to play.
The result means the United States qualify for Brazil.
Panama's 2-2 draw away to Honduras means they've now slipped past Mexico into fourth place, but only on goal difference.
The fourth-placed CONCACAF nation will play New Zealand in home and away World Cup qualifiers in November.
Mexico host Panama next month.
The Netherlands and Italy have become the first European teams to book places at next year's football World Cup in Brazil.
The Dutch sealed their place with a 2-0 win in Andorra while Italy came from behind to beat the Czech Republic 2-1.
Germany's 3-0 win in the Faroe Islands means they will qualify if they beat Ireland at home in the first of their two remaining matches next month.
England remain at the top of their group after a scoreless draw in Ukraine.
