United States at Trinidad and Tobago: CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying preview

After months of hand-wringing, nail-biting and breath-holding, the U.S. national team are finally in firm control of their World Cup qualification campaign.

Win in their CONCACAF Hexagonal finale at Trinidad & Tobago on Tuesday night, and they’re in.

A draw would likely do the trick, too.

A loss would make things a lot more complicated.

The U.S. are currently in third in the Hex on 12 points, two points ahead of both fourth-place Panama and fifth-place Honduras. Crucially, they hold a significant goal difference advantage on both teams. Barring a huge outpouring of goals by Los Canaleros or Los Catrachos, a draw against Trinidad will probably be enough for the U.S. to snag CONCACAF’s third and final automatic spot in Russia next summer.

A defeat would dramatically change the dynamic. Losing to the Soca Warriors would open the U.S. to a fifth-place finish and their first missed World Cup since 1986. Finishing fourth and taking on Australia or Syria in a World Cup qualification playoff would also be a distinct possibility with a loss on Tuesday. The U.S. could finish third with a loss if both Panama and Honduras fail to win their qualifying finales, but that’s not something Bruce Arena & Co. will want to count on.

Fortunately for the U.S., they’ll be the heavy favorites on Tuesday. The Americans looked excellent in their 4-0 win against Panama on Friday, and Trinidad & Tobago are 1-8-0 in the Hex after losing 3-1 at Mexico on Friday.

UNITED STATES OUTLOOK

After a wildly disappointing 2-0 home loss to Costa Rica and a disjointed 1-1 draw at Honduras in September, the U.S. broke out in a big way on Friday against Panama. Christian Pulisic notched a goal and an assist, Jozy Altidore recorded a brace and Bobby Wood added a goal as the U.S. romped to a 4-0 win to put their World Cup qualifying hopes back on track.

Arena put the U.S. in a very aggressive posture on Friday, rolling out a 4-4-2 diamond formation designed to put five players – strikers Altidore and Wood, No. 10 Pulisic and wingers Darlington Nagbe and Paul Arriola – into the attack as often as possible.

That will likely change in the Caribbean midweek. Even though Trinidad & Tobago are the weakest team in the Hex, the U.S. will be playing on the road and only need a draw to qualify. Those circumstances lend themselves to a more conservative approach than we saw against Panama, so don’t be surprised if Arena give defensive midfielder Michael Bradley – who flew solo on Friday – a little more help in the middle. 

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO OUTLOOK

Tuesday’s match is about nothing more than pride for Trinidad & Tobago. The Soca Warriors haven’t had much hope of qualifying for the World Cup for some time, and had their hopes of advancing to Russia officially ended following the U.S.’ win on Friday.

While they were already eliminated from contention, Trinidad & Tobago put up a good fight at already-qualified Mexico on Friday. The island nation actually took the lead in the 66th minute, when Shahdon Winchester scored to give the Soca Warriors a 1-0 lead. Mexico responded 12 minutes later with a Hirving Lozano equalizer before Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez bagged an 88th minute winner. Midfielder Hector Herrera added an insurance tally in the fourth minute of stoppage time.

Both of Trinidad & Tobago’s MLS players saw action off the bench in Mexico, with Minnesota’s Kevin Molino coming on in the 61st and Seattle’s Joevin Jones entering in the 73rd minute. 

HISTORY

The U.S. have dominated the series against Trinidad & Tobago, posting a 14-3-4 all-time record against the Soca Warriors. The U.S. have won the last two meetings and is unbeaten in five against T&T. The Americans recorded a 2-0 victory against the Soca Warriors in the last match between the sides in the Hex on June 9 in Commerce City, Colo. 

PLAYERS TO WATCH

USA — Clint Dempsey

Pulisic and Altidore rightly drew the headlines on Friday, but Dempsey, who entered as a second-half sub against Panama, has a shot at history on Tuesday night. The Seattle Sounders forward is currently tied with Landon Donovan for the all-time USMNT goal lead, needing just one more tally to make the record his own. He’s largely been used as sub in recent USMNT matches, but Arena could very well give him a start on Tuesday. If he is in the lineup, Dempsey should have plenty of chances to move past Donovan and into sole possession of first on the USMNT scoring chart.

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO — Joevin Jones

The Seattle Sounders midfielder came off the bench in T&T’s 3-1 loss to Mexico on Friday and will likely get the start on Tuesday. With Kevin Molino suspended for a yellow-card accumulation, Jones will be one of the Soca Warriors’ best offensive weapons. Should the U.S. use a 3-5-2/5-3-2 formation, Jones could be a handful for the United States’ wingbacks.

ROSTER

USA:

Goalkeepers (3): Brad Guzan (Atlanta), Tim Howard (Colorado), Nick Rimando (Salt Lake)

Defenders (9): DaMarcus Beasley (Houston), Matt Besler (Kansas City), Geoff Cameron (Stoke, England), Omar Gonzalez (Pachuca, Mexico), Michael Orozco (Tijuana, Mexico), Tim Ream (Fulham, England), Jorge Villafaña (Santos Laguna, Mexico), DeAndre Yedlin (Newcastle, England), Graham Zusi (Kansas City)

Midfielders (9): Kellyn Acosta (Dallas), Juan Agudelo (New England), Paul Arriola (D.C. United), Alejandro Bedoya (Philadelphia), Michael Bradley (Toronto), Benny Feilhaber (Kansas City), Dax McCarty (Chicago Fire), Darlington Nagbe (Portland), Christian Pulisic (Borussia Dortmund, Germany)

Forwards (4): Jozy Altidore (Toronto), Clint Dempsey (Seattle), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose), Bobby Wood (Hamburg, Germany)

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

Goalkeepers (3): Adrian Foncette (Police, T&T), Greg Ranjitsingh (Louisville), Glenroy Samuel (Morvant Caledonia United, T&T) 

Defenders (9): Daneil Cyrus (Juticalpa, HON), Kevan George (Jacksonville), Curtis Gonzales (Defence Force, T&T), Mekeil Williams (Colorado), Alvin Jones (W Connection, T&T), Tristan Hodge (W Connection, T&T), Kareem Moses (North Carolina), Kevon Villaroel (North East Stars, T&T), Josiah Trimmingham (San Juan Jabloteh, T&T)

Midfielders (9): Khaleem Hyland (Al-Faisaly, KSA), Joevin Jones (Seattle), Kevin Molino (Minnesota), Leston Paul (Pasaquina, SLV), Nathan Lewis (San Juan Jabloteh, T&T), Levi Garcia (AZ Alkmaar, NED), Jared London (Club Sando, T&T), Neil Benjamin (W Connection, T&T), Kathon St. Hillaire (St. Ann’s Rangers, T&T)

Forwards (3): Shahdon Winchester (Murciealagos, MEX), Trevin Caesar (Sacramento), Akeem Roach (Vida, HON)