ASN: What to Search for in World Cup Qualifier In opposition to T&T

Whereas it could be tempting to look previous Thursday’s World Cup qualifier in opposition to Trinidad & Tobago, that might be an enormous mistake. Bruce Enviornment’s must safe three factors after which take into consideration Mexico

BY

Brian Sciaretta

Posted
June 07, 2017
3:00 PM

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PLENTY WILL BE AT STAKE when the US nationwide staff resumes World Cup qualifying on Thursday night time when it hosts Trinidad & Tobago in Commerce Metropolis, Colo. After a poor begin to the Hexagonal, Bruce Enviornment’s staff can probably transfer into the highest three with three factors.

In fact, the US can have simply two days of relaxation earlier than a fast turnaround for Sunday’s qualifier in opposition to Mexico at Estadio Azteca. Enviornment has prompt that there might be vital roster turnover between the 2 video games—which is sensible. However making certain that the Yanks get three factors from Thursday’s sport is the larger precedence because the U.S. is a heavy underdog on the street in opposition to El Tri. If the U.S. can win its remaining house video games within the Hex, that alone ought to be sufficient to qualify and ought to be the precedence.

Everybody on the roster is wholesome sufficient to play however there have been a couple of current issues.

For starters, John Brooks returned to coaching however has battled a thigh damage. Bobby Wooden performed harm down the stretch for Hamburg and was not sharp in Saturday’s pleasant in opposition to Venezuela. Clint Dempsey additionally regarded drained. For causes unclear, Fabian Johnson additionally had an unusually poor sport.

One factor is bound, nevertheless: Tim Howard is the No. 1 man and ought to be in purpose for each video games.

Formation choices

Enviornment used a 4-4-2 diamond midfield in opposition to Venezuela, a formation he deployed in March in a vital house qualifier in opposition to Honduras. Within the street sport in opposition to Panama, he altered the formation and it’s unlikely he’ll use it Sunday in opposition to Mexico.

Enviornment is displaying that whereas enjoying at house he’s comfy with the diamond. That formation provides Christian Pulisic lots of freedom and supplies Michael Bradley with a clearly outlined function. It additionally permits midfielders like Darlington Nagbe the power to float centrally.

It has confirmed to achieve success and it’s might be the formation we’ll see in opposition to Trinidad & Tobago.

The Forwards

Proper now there are 4 forwards on the roster: Wooden, Dempsey, Jozy Altidore, and Jordan Morris.

It will be onerous to think about Wooden and Dempsey beginning each qualifiers given Dempsey’s age and a current damage to Wooden. Whereas each may begin within the opening sport, a stronger chance is that one is partnered with Altidore in opposition to Trinidad & Tobago. The ways for the Mexico sport would then come all the way down to what end result the staff acquired in opposition to Trinidad & Tobago and the quantity of vitality it expended in Colorado.

It doesn’t matter what, these two video games ought to present an enormous alternative for Altidore to impress Enviornment. Dempsey starred within the March qualifiers and Wooden was robust within the Bundesliga. The competitors is tight for Altidore and now he has an opportunity to make a case for himself. 

The Midfielders

Regardless of fan help for a distinct choice on the No. 6 spot, it is a secure wager that Michael Bradley will begin in opposition to T&T, working behind Christian Pulisic. 

The surface midfielders are more durable to foretell. The secure wager is Johnson and Darlington Nagbe will get the nod nevertheless it stays to be seen if Johnson’s stinker in opposition to Venezuela will immediate Enviornment to think about different choices. Alejandro Bedoya is in rivalry for a beginning function if Enviornment decides to bench Johnson.

If Enviornment goes with a flat four-midfielder setup, he would have extra choices. He may shift Pulisic out large and transfer Kellyn Acosta or Dax McCarty into the center with Bradley.

The Defenders

In a four-man backline the chances are very excessive that DeAndre Yedlin and Jorge Villafana take up the fullback spots. Central protection is somewhat up within the air, nevertheless.

Brooks and Geoff Cameron are the first-choice starters for the time being. Brooks resumed to full coaching however was barely injured after the Venezuela sport. Cameron is over 30 and was injured for a stretch this 12 months. It is onerous to see each gamers beginning each video games on solely two days of relaxation. In opposition to Trinidad & Tobago, the US ought to be capable to get the mandatory end result with any mixture of central defenders.

To date in 2017, Enviornment seems to actually like Tim Ream and if Brooks sits for Mexico, Ream could be pure left-footed alternative forward of Besler. It’s also potential that Omar Gonzalez will get the nod and he may be match primarily based on Trinidad & Tobago’s potential set piece energy.

The Outlook

Whereas Enviornment has many choices, this lineup is the one we’ll doubtless see. 

Trinidad & Tobago is the weakest of the six groups within the Hexagonal nevertheless it does have weapons. Joevin Jones, Kevin Molino, and Kenwyne Jones pose a major risk and are acquainted names to many American followers.

Whereas not a daily starter, Jones is a part of an excellent attacking contingent for Atlanta United and will torment the U.S. backline. Molino has 5 objectives for Minnesota United this season and Jones is a dynamic fullback for Seattle. Set piece defending might be a excessive precedence.

The U.S. will really feel vital strain to win and even a draw could be horrible end result. The very last thing this staff wants is to journey to Mexico Metropolis needing a victory.

This sport is much extra necessary than Sunday regardless of it being a lot decrease in profile. A win and the U.S. remains to be heading in the right direction to move to Russia it doesn’t matter what occurs on Sunday. A loss or draw would put the federation into turmoil.

Most significantly, the U.S. wants a powerful begin and an early purpose on Thursday. That will go a good distance towards making it a stress-free sport and permitting Enviornment and Co. to give attention to stealing a degree or three in opposition to El Tri.