The likes of Everton’s Tim Howard and Sunderland’s Tottenham Hotspur loanee DeAndre Yedlin feature in the gallery from Tuesday night’s 0-0 World Cup qualifying draw in Port of Spain.
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Ventura Alvarado, Bill Hamid and Miguel Ibarra have the chance to make their first World Cup Qualifying appearances.
After lighting up St. Vincent and the Grenadines for six goals, the U.S. Men’s National Team struggled to find scoring opportunities against Trinidad and Tobago, settling for a scoreless draw. For Trinidad and Tobago, Jones and Cyrus each played the full 90 minutes as the Soca Warriors earned a key three points with a 2-1 road victory over Guatemala. A particular threat to the USA promises to be captain Kenwyne Jones, who now plays for English Championship side Cardiff City but has spent much of his career in the Premier League. One can think of the 2-1 loss at Jamaica in the semifinal round in 2012 or the 1-0 loss to T&T in the semifinal round in 2008 (albeit after the US had clinched its berth in the Hexagonal). The only problem, he is also the best option at either fullback spot at the moment, so if he is going to play in a more advanced position, the United States will have to develop reliable options at fullback. If the USMNT leave Port of Spain with their sixth overall victory at Trinidad and Tobago it will be because of the midfield. They actually won Group C over El Tri and technically did not lose a game in the competition (Panama knocked them out via penalty kicks in the quarterfinals).
Trinidad, however, has proven to be a hard place to play over the years for the Americans. Over the years they’ve improved themselves on the technical side and on the mental side as well.
Compare that to Group A, where Mexico and Honduras both made the last World Cup in Brazil.
Most of the foundation for this result started in the buildup. If there was relief for Klinsmann (and Howard, back in goal after his sabbatical had put him behind Brad Guzan in the goalkeeping order), it was that that type of chance was typical of Trinidad & Tobago’s best work in the first half: plenty of good final balls or well-created half-chances, but a lack of finishing to actually force the U.S. keeper into a save. Was eventually moved to left-back. Two players who did see the field were defender Matt Miazga and midfielder Darlington Nagbe, who both made their USMNT debuts.
The United States must grind out a result on the road to effectively take control of the group. On two particular situations the warriors string 17 consecutive passes which lead to a chance at goal.
The United States’ defense has had a rough year.
Here’s to hoping the Yanks get off to a bit of a quicker start for a change. Trinidad will visit St. Vincent & the Grenadines on March 25 and host its Caribbean rivals four days later.
This is your live thread for posting comments on the match. The United States won 6-1 and really didn’t have to break a sweat over the last 50 or so minutes to do so. If you’re new, welcome to our happy home!
Editor’s note: Do not post links to illegal streams anywhere on Black and Red United. He’s another guy who can certainly do more.
After all the negativity surrounding the USA camp, Jurgen Klinsmann’s side needed an assured performance regardless of who the opponent was.
Brek Shea is back in the fold. He wants a win-obviously-but believes that a point would be fine. Four points from these two games was important.
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Finally, we don’t have a rule against profanity but don’t abuse the non-rule.
