Pulisic scores twice, U.S. earns must-win
COMMERCE CITY, Colo. — Christian Pulisic rescued the United States with a pair of second-half goals, and the Americans beat Trinidad and Tobago 2-0 on Thursday night to move into third place at the halfway point in the final round of World Cup qualifying.
“It just took us a little while to get going,” Pulisic said.
Pulisic, an 18-year-old phenom from Hershey, Pa., ended a frustrating start for the U.S. offense with a goal in the 52nd minute, then added another in the 62nd.
He has seven goals and five assists in 15 interna- tional appearances, including four goals and three assists in his last four contests.
“He’s having fun,” U.S. coach Bruce Arena said. “He’s a natural for the game.”
After crashing to an 0-2 start in the North and Central American and Caribbean region, the U.S. is back among the top three, which earn berths at next year’s World Cup in Russia.
Mexico leads with 13 points, followed by Costa Rica (eight), the U.S. (seven), Panama (six), Honduras (four) and Trinidad (three).
The fourth-place team advances to a playoff against Asia’s No. 5 nation.
The Americans have three wins and three draws since Arena replaced Jurgen Klinsmann as coach in November. The team’s biggest test in Arena’s second stint comes Sunday at Mexico.
“It’s going to be a tough one down there,” Pulisic said.
Kenwyne Jones nearly put Trinidad and Tobago the up in the 33rd minute, beating goalkeeper Tim Howard to a cross, but putting a header off the crossbar. Clint Dempsey John Brooks and Jozy Altidore all had good chances, but Trinidad and Tobago keeper Jan-Michael Williams made several sprawling saves.