Americans can near verge of advancement with win over T&T
By Robert Wagman (SoccerTimes)
BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. (Tuesday, September 9, 2008) -- After capturing the maximum six points from their first two CONCACAF Group 1 semifinal-round qualifying matches, the United States men could move to the doorstep of advancing to the final six-nation, round-robin by defeating Trinidad & Tobago tomorrow night at Toyota Park
The 8 p.m. (ET) match will be televised by ESPN2 and Galavision.
After opening in Guatemala with a 1-0 victory and downing Cuba 1-0 Saturday night in Havana, the Americans face their first semifinal qualifier on home soil against T&T. With two of six games completed, the U.S. is 2-0 with six points, followed by the Trinidadians, who are 1-0-1 with four points after Saturday's 1-1 home draw with Guatemala.
Guatemala is 0-1-1 with one point while Cuba is 0-2 with no points.
U.S. coach Bob Bradley will likely start a similar lineup to the one that faced Cuba. One change he will probably make is to replace Frankie Hejduk at right back with usual starter Steve Cherundolo, who was suspended for the Cuba match after receiving a red card against Guatemala.
The lineup will probably have Tim Howard, in goal, fronted by Heath Pearce, Carlos Bocanegra., Oguchi Onyewu and Cherundolo from left to right on defense. DaMarcus Beasley, Michael Bradley, Maurice Edu and Clint Dempsey are expected to form the midfield with Landon Donovan on top. The second forward could be either Brian Ching, who started against Cuba, or Eddie Johnson, who remained on the bench.
Bradley, Dempsey, Hejduk, Howard and Onyewu each have a yellow card and a caution against T&T would mean they would miss the October 11 meeting with Cuba at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C.
The Soca Warriors, as T&T is known, have emerged as the second best team in the group after opening with a 3-1 road win in Cuba. Against Guatemala, they surrendered the tying goal in stoppage time.
Head coach Francisco Maturana made some radical changes from the team that did not qualify for the last World Cup. He brought back some veterans who were excluded by the previous regime, such as 36-year-old Dwight Yorke and Major League Soccer veteran Cornell Glen, while giving the cold shoulder to veterans such as Stern John, the striker from Southampton in England. Maturana also turned to newcomers, such as Keon Daniel, who has scored three goals in the team's last two qualifying matches.
Yorke will not face the Americans. After playing against Guatemala, his club, Sunderland of England recalled him, saying he was injured in that game.
Maturana's lineup for tomorrow is not clear. In addition to Yorke, he will be without Sunderland forward Kenwyne Jones, recovering from knee surgery, and midfielder Chris Birchall of England's Coventry City, who was dropped from the squad after suffering food poisoning in Cuba. Defender Avery John, who plays for Miami FC of the U.S. second division, is suspended after picking up his second yellow card of this round against Guatemala.
For the U.S., this match should be more wide-open than the struggles in Guatemala and Cuba. The Soca Warriors have speed all over the field and will be a good test for the Americans. One goal might not be enough for Bradley's troops this time around..
The U.S. roster for Wednseday's qualifier against Trinidad & Tobago in the Chicago suburbs.
Goalkeepers (2): Brad Guzan (Aston Villa, England), Tim Howard (Everton FC, England).
Defenders - 8: Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes, France), Danny Califf (FC Midtjylland, Denmark), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96, Germany), Frankie Hejduk (Columbus Crew, Major League Soccer), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liège, Belgium), Michael Orozco (San Luis, Mexico), Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock, Germany), Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC, MLS).
Midfielders: DaMarcus Beasley (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland), Michael Bradley (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Ricardo Clark (Houston Dynamo, MLS), Maurice Edu (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA, MLS), Eddie Lewis (Los Angeles Galaxy, MLS).
Forwards (4): Brian Ching (Houston, MLS), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles, MLS), Clint Dempsey (Fulham FC, England), Eddie Johnson (Cardiff City, England).