Teen lifts U.S. Cup prospects
After sliding to score a goal with his left foot, Christian Pulisic got back up, raced for a corner and glided across the grass on both knees.
Just a teenager showing exuberance.
Pulisic rescued the United States with two second-half goals, and the Americans beat Trinidad and Tobago 2-0 on Thursday night in Commerce City, Colo., to move into third place at the halfway point in the final round of World Cup qualifying.
Pulisic, an 18-year-old 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.
“They were tough in the first half, definitely,” Pulisic explained. “They had a lot of guys behind the ball and we couldn’t work our way through them. Once we got the first one, it kind of opened up.”
Pulisic made his international debut 15 months ago and has seven goals and five assists in 15 appearances. He has scored or assisted on seven of the past eight American goals.
“He’s having fun,” U.S. coach Bruce Arena said. “He’s a natural for the game. He sees the game very well.”
After crashing to an 0-2 start in the hexagonal of the North and Central American and Caribbean region, the U.S. is back among the top three, which earn berths at next year’s tournament 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’ biggest test in Arena’s second stint comes Sunday at Mexico.
“This was a big game. We needed the three points,” said Jozy Altidore, who had the assist on Pulisic’s second goal. “Now, we can go into Mexico and play with our minds clear.”
More Thursday qualifying:
Mexico beat visiting Honduras 3-0 on goals by Oswaldo Alanis in the 35th minute, Hirving Lozano in the 63rd and Raul Jimenez in the 66th, making it a happy 55th birthday for El Tri coach Juan Carlos Osorio. ... Costa Rica was held to a 0-0 draw at home by Panama.
U.S. women blank Sweden:
Rose Lavelle scored in the 56th minute, lifting the visiting U.S. women to a 1-0 victory in a friendly in Goteborg. A well-timed run from the midfield by Crystal Dunn led to a through-ball for Lavelle inside the 18-yard box. It was Lavelle’s second international goal in her fifth appearance.
Costa out at Chelsea?
Spanish striker Diego Costa said Chelsea manager Antonio Conte doesn’t want him playing for the English champions next season.