Beasley returns to Trinidad with Cup spot at stake

DaMarcus Beasley has played soccer long enough to reach plenty of milestones. The one he is reminded of this week has extra significance.

Beasley, a veteran defender with the Dynamo, will return to Trinidad & Tobago with the U.S. national team Tuesday for the final World Cup qualifier in the cycle for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

It is the same place Beasley played in his first World Cup qualifier nearly 16 years ago. Beasley was a 19-year-old left winger when the Americans faced Trinidad on Nov. 11, 2001. Nothing was at stake back then because the U.S. already had qualified for the 2002 World Cup.

This time around, however, the U.S. has not yet secured its berth in the 2018 World Cup.

“People take it for granted and say (we) should just qualify,” he said. “People don’t understand how big qualifying for a World Cup is and how much blood, sweat and hard work goes into qualifying for a World Cup. Hopefully, we get a good result, and we can celebrate a little bit when we qualify. It would be a great end to a long qualifying campaign.”

By defeating Trinidad at Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva, the U.S. can clinch third place in the final Hexagonal standings and a trip to Russia. The Americans would clinch through several other scenarios, too.

If they tie Trinidad, they would clinch the final qualifying berth as long as Panama (vs. Costa Rica) and Honduras (vs. Mexico) do not win and make up hefty goal differential. The U.S. is seven goals ahead of Panama and 12 ahead of Honduras.

There also is a chance the U.S. could finish fourth if it loses and either Panama or Honduras win. The fourth-place team advances to an inter-continental playoff against the winner of Wednesday’s game between Australia and Syria. The winner of that playoff also qualifies for the World Cup.

If neither Panama nor Honduras win Tuesday, the U.S. would clinch no matter the result of its game against Trinidad.

“We’re in a pretty good position,” U.S. coach Bruce Arena said. “I believe, unless something completely bizarre occurs, one point secures us third place in the group. A loss could bring us down as far as fifth place. We need to get on the field Tuesday and win the game. That has to be our mentality. In the closing minutes if we have a point wrapped up, we just need to be smart. Certainly, our mentality is going to go to Trinidad and win.”

If Beasley gets the call to play Tuesday, it would be his 36th appearance in a World Cup qualifier and a nice tribute to an international career he hopes extends all the way to next summer when he may have a chance to play in a fifth World Cup.

“It will be good to go back down there again after the first one so many years ago,” Beasley said. “Hopefully, we can get a good result.”