Americans move up in World Cup qualifying
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.
Pulisic, an 18-year-old phenom from Hershey, Pennsylvania, 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 international appearances, including four goals and three assists in his past four games.
"It just took us a little while to get going," Pulisic said.
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 spots in next year's tournament in Russia. Mexico leads with 10 points, followed by Costa Rica, which has seven and is ahead of the U.S. on goal difference. Panama (five), Honduras (four) and Trinidad (three) trail.
The fourth-place team advances to a playoff against Asia's No. 5 nation.
In late games, Costa Rica hosted Panama and Mexico was home against Honduras.
The Americans have three wins and three draws since Bruce 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 the Soca Warriors 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 T&T keeper Jan-Michael Williams made several sprawling saves.
After helping Borussia Dortmund win last month's German Cup final, Pulisic had another breakthrough moment with his second twogoal game for the U.S.
Michael Bradley forced a turnover, DeAndre Yedlin recovered the ball and passed to Darlington Nagbe, who went around a defender and dribbled upfield. He passed to Clint Dempsey, who sent the ball back wide to Yedlin. He crossed to Pulisic, who slid and scored from 4 yards with his left foot, then sprinted for a corner and slid on both knees to celebrate.
Trinidad's Nathan Lewis beat Howard off the ensuing kickoff, but Yedlin had stepped up, causing an offside call that disallowed the goal.
Pulisic started the run that led to the second goal, passing to Yedlin, who sent the ball to Altidore, Pulisic burst past Kavan George and slotted in a right-footed shot from about 10 yards to Williams' short side.
Bobby Wood nearly got a third goal, hitting a post shortly after replacing Altidore in the 83rd.
The U.S. is unbeaten against Trinidad in home qualifiers, winning nine matches and drawing one, and outscoring the Soca Warriors 21-2 since 1989.
The game at Dick's Sporting Goods Park was at about 5,200 feet above sea level, which will prepare the Americans for Sunday night's qualifier at Mexico City's Azteca Stadium, which is around 7,820 feet.