Trinidad and Tobago vs. USA: Predicting USMNT lineup
The USMNT travel to Trinidad and Tobago for their final match of the Hexagonal on Tuesday. With another three points needed, here’s how we think Bruce Arena will deploy the troops.
Christian Pulisic — just-turned-19-years-old-Christian-Pulisic — greatly reduced the anxiety and terror for USMNT fans as he scored and set up another in the first 19 minutes against Panama on Friday. The Americans would go on to win 4-0, firmly planting one foot in Russia.
A draw will most likely be enough to finish third in the final round of CONCACAF qualifying, but to be absolutely sure, the U.S. will gunning for all three points when they visit Trinidad and Tobago on Friday. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the lineup we think Bruce Arena will select for the Yanks’ last World Cup qualifier of the cycle.
Forwards
Unless Arena is set on starting Clint Dempsey, there isn’t really a reason not to leave Jozy Altidore and Bobby Wood up top. Altidore had a monster game against Panama, scoring a brace and assisting on Pulisic’s opener. Wood was no slouch, drawing the penalty that led to Altidore’s second and banging in one of his own on a nice turn-and-shoot in the box.
Panama simply couldn’t handle the mix of power, speed and strength these two offer. As long as they continue to bring it, Trinidad and Tobago won’t be able to handle them either. Dempsey will enter in the second half once again.
Midfielders
Let’s get this out of the way: Christian Pulisic is a superhero.
One of the most impressive things about the Borussia Dortmund player is how quickly he learns and adapts, and then destroys. CONCACAF teams had started targeting him with chippy fouls and bad challenges, most of which were ignored by the referees. As a result, Pulisic was frustrated and not as effective during the last few qualifiers. Then he went out and completely roasted Panama. He figured it out, and saved the USMNT’s World Cup dreams in the process.
That’s a long way of saying that the 19-year-old will start against Trinidad, likely at the top of the diamond. He will score at least one goal.
As for the rest of the midfield, Darlington Nagbe and Paul Arriola both put in good shifts on Friday, but it was Arriola who increased his stock the most. He was everywhere, and never quit working. His quickness and tenacity were a joy to behold. His drive into the box and pass to Wood for the fourth U.S. goal was exquisite.
Captain Michael Bradley took care of business, helping to limit the number of chances Omar Gonzalez had to make a mistake. The only change Arena may make is bringing in someone like Alejandro Bedoya on either wing. The U.S. want all three points, but they’re on the road in CONCACAF: they can’t afford any defensive let downs.
Defenders
Jorge Villafana, Matt Besler, Omar Gonzalez and DeAndre Yedlin held strong against a Panama attack that was more aggressive than some thought they would be. Yedlin especially was fantastic. His defending has improved drastically during his time with Newcastle, so much so that his presence in the USMNT lineup greatly boosted the confidence of his teammates and fans alike.
Gonzalez receiving the start over Geoff Cameron at center-back against Panama was surprising. While the Pachuca man aquitted himself well, inserting Cameron in the lineup for Tuesday, unless he has some sort of injury we don’t know about, seems likely.
Tim Howard had a decent day in goal against Panama. He only needed to make two saves, but he made them, and kept the first U.S. clean sheet in a World Cup qualifier since June. USMNT fans won’t put up too much of a fuss if Arena opts to start Brad Guzan on Tuesday, but keeping things as close to the way they were against Panama seems the most likely.
Starting XI
Arena will likely subscribe to the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” school of thought when selecting the lineup for Tuesday. The Americans were so dynamic and dangerous on the attack. The U.S. manager, should the Yanks go ahead a goal or two, will be more likely to go defensive sooner on the road, but, to start out, he’s going to go for the throat.
Cameron for Gonzalez is the only change we see Arena making for sure. With a win needed to 100 percent secure a spot in the World Cup, the Yanks, floating on the momentum from Friday, will come out aggressive and sharp.
Defensive moves that will likely be made in the second half: Dax McCarty for Nagbe, Bedoya for Pulisic. Dempsey will take either Altidore or Woods place.
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After their stellar performance against Panama, the USMNT will fully expect to collect three points and book their trip to Russia against Trinidad. If they avoid any serious mistakes, and let Pulisic have the ball, that should be a decently simple expectation to meet.