Don't start backpedaling now. Have we not always been physical, athletic and speedy? Why didn't it matter to them before? What does history show?
Two words come to mind: false positive.
When TT joined CONCACAF in the early 60s, we used to have a difficult time beating them with our "speed and physicality". The Centros always had the one-touch football IQ which I think we lacked. The first time we played Quatemala in the WC, we got 4 from them in the first game and tie 0-0 in the second. It did not help that we played both WC games in Quat. because of lack of money. This lack of money goes way back.
But later when our players started to improve we started to match them. We beat Quat. 1-0 in Haiti and beat Mex 4-0. We still can't beat CR. I don't think we ever beat them in WC. They have that one-touch IQ and players with 'speed and physicality". They know how to play Caribbean teams. We may beat them on a couple occasions, but not in WC. We have had some epic battles with Honduras. We have also have a mixed bag with El Sal. In recent years we appear to have had the upper hand on them. But in the beginning it was not so. Panama has improved and can match us with the same speed, etc, etc. So I don't know where this speed and physicality thing going. I definitely want football IQ with speed and physicality. Without those three, we not going anywhere.