By winning, they will finish first in the group – they’ve never failed to do so in this stage – and probably get two of their most hard final-round matches out of the way in November: Mexico at home and Costa Rica away. The Borussia Dortmund starlet can provide a boost of energy and creativity from the bench, and he could be the ideal substitute should the team need a late goal.
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Pulisic showed pace and an ability to take on defenders down the left flank, assisting on Altidore’s second goal.
Though Klinsmann – also responsible for big-picture youth development in his other role as technical director – has been cautious about deploying inexperienced players in meaningful matches, last week Pulisic made an irresistible case to win his eighth cap from the start on Tuesday, six months after his debut.
The goal was assisted by Christian Pulisic, who at the tender age of 17 and 353 days, became the youngest starter in men’s national team history. After Pulisic’s low cross was cleared straight to him by Trinidad and Tobago defender Khaleem Hyland, the New York Red Bulls midfielder supplied a composed finish.
Book those tickets, United States fans.
If we are lucky, both coaches will go fearless for what is effectively a warm-up for the Hexagonal, and we’ll see two of the most promising teenagers in CONCACAF go head to head: Pulisic for USMNT and Levi Garcia for T&T.
“We are looking at the strongest lineup in order to beat Trinidad and Tobago”, he said Monday before a training session at EverBank Field.
“We badly want to win this game”, Klinsmann said.
The goals followed the U.S. Men’s National Team from their trip to St. Vincent. Sacha Kljestan was all over the pitch after coming on, and Christian Pulisic continued his ascent toward superstardom with a brace.
The hosts fell behind at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, bit back twice to lead 2-1 before conceding a goal towards the end of the topsy-turvy Group C contest. The year started off with them falling to Haiti in a playoff for a spot in the Copa America Centenario.
It has often been lamented that the USA does not produce enough world-class players and those that do come through the ranks, emerge too slowly. Well, maybe they were part of it but they’re getting opportunities now. Honduras (2-2-2) finished second, one point ahead of the Canadians (2-3-1), with a 0-0 draw at already qualified Mexico (5-0-1).
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Attendance for men’s USA soccer at EverBank Field has been steadily increasing over their last two appearances.
