CONCACAF Preview: USA v. Trinidad & Tobago
8/16/2005 6:27:00 PM
World Cup qualifying resumes Wednesday night for CONCACAF, including the United States v. Trinidad & Tobago from Connecticut.
USA (4-1-0, 12 pts) v. Trinidad & Tobago (1-3-1, 4 pts)
When: 8:00 pm EST, Wednesday, August 17, 2005
Where: Rentschler Field, Hartford, CT
Last Time: Trinidad & Tobago 1, USA 2 (2/9/05, Port of Spain, Trinidad)
World Cup qualifying resumes Wednesday in CONCACAF and for American fans they know a win over Trinidad & Tobago would clinch their side at least fourth place, which would be good enough for a two-leg playoff with an Asian side for a chance to play in the World Cup. For T&T, however, things are not looking so swimmingly.
The Soca Warriors, who have been reeling ever since Paul Caligiuri’s “shot heard round the world” vaulted the Americans into World Cup ’90 while dashing T&T’s dreams at the same time, are level on points with Guatemala. But their minus-five goal differential place them in fifth place, behind the Chapines and out of contention for a World Cup dream. With difficult road matches yet to come against third-placed Costa Rica, and Gold Cup finalists Panama, T&T’s Dutch coach Leo Beenhakker still has a mountain to climb even for a play-off spot.
But after opening with losses to the U.S. and Guatemala, Wednesday’s visitors drew Costa Rica and defeated Panama before doing what most teams do: losing at Mexico. The recent results, however, indicate the team beaten at home by the Americans back in February has improved. Former Manchester United striker Dwight Yorke, now trying to gain a foothold in Australia’s new A-League, will be in Beenhakker’s side and could partner with Coventry City’s Stern John in the attack. But both Southampton’s lanky forward Kenwyne Jones and Kansas City’s athletic striker Scott Sealy could push for a place in the first team. Regardless, any combination of the aforementioned is sure to concern the American defense. In midfield Beenhakker will be without the services of Brent Rahim and Carlos Edwards due to injuries, and that is where we expect the United States to turn the tide of the match.
DaMarcus Beasley has been scratched due to a bad hamstring, but U.S. coach Bruce Arena welcomes captain Claudio Reyna back into the American midfield. The additional experience of central midfielder John O’Brien, left winger Eddie Lewis, and defensive midfielder Chris Armas should leave their Caribbean visitors justifiably nervous. In the attack it seems logical that Brian McBride would partner with Landon Donovan, who should be able to gut the defense with his mazy off-the-ball runs. But many fans will be interested to see if seldom-called-upon strikers Jeff Cunningham and Taylor Twellman can force themselves into the picture. On the defensive side of the ball the U.S. could struggle if someone like recently capped Jimmy Conrad fails to mesh with Gregg Berhalter and Chris Albright, with whom Wednesday could be his first time playing alongside at international level.
In any event the Americans are difficult to beat or to tie at home, and we do not expect the Soca Warriors to do either.
Goal.com Prediction: USA 3, Trinidad & Tobago 1
