Trinidad has no illusions about beating Americans
Since the draw was released for CONCACAF’s Olympic qualifying tournament, most soccer fans assumed it was just a formality for the United States women’s national team to punch its ticket to Brazil this summer.
It sounds like the Americans’ next opponent feels the same way.
The United States will face Trinidad and Tobago in the semifinals at 7:30 p.m. Friday at BBVA Compass Stadium. A championship game will be played Sunday, but it will be solely for a trophy. Both semifinal winners qualify for the Olympics. Friday’s first semifinal will pit Canada against Costa Rica.
While the Americans are the reigning Olympic gold medalists and World Cup champions,
Trinidad is simply happy to advance past the group stage. After his team defeated Guyana 5-1 on Tuesday at BBVA Compass Stadium, Trinidad coach Richard Hood said the ultimate goal had been achieved.
“(Playing the U.S.) is an extremely difficult task,” said Hood, whose team is ranked No. 48 in the world. “It’s not something the opponent looks forward to. It will be an honor to take the field against such a team. We will try
our best. I think that’s all we can do at this time.”
One thing Trinidad could hang its hat on is what happened the last time it faced the Americans. The United States beat Trinidad 1-0 in the group stage of the 2014 CONCACAF women’s championship, which served as the confederation’s World Cup qualifying tournament.
Nine players who played for Trinidad in that game are on the roster this year. Trinidad fell to Costa Rica on penalty kicks in the semifinals of that tournament. Had it advanced to the final, it would have qualified for the World Cup.
“Being so close to having an opportunity to play on the big stage, I think my team will be happy to take the field with the champions and see what we are made of,” Trinidadian midfielder Ahkeela Mollon said. “It’s always a challenge. That’s what the beautiful game is all about.”
The Americans have shown no signs of slowing down after winning the World Cup. They won all three group stage games in Frisco by a combined score of 16-0. On Monday, they defeated Puerto Rico 10-0 behind a team-record five goals from Crystal Dunn.
The United States’ arrival in Houston is certain to improve the sparse crowds that have attended the Group B games at BBVA Compass featuring Canada, Trinidad, Guyana and Guatemala. As of Tuesday evening, more than 4,000 tickets have been sold for Friday’s semifinals, and more than 5,000 have been sold for Sunday’s final.
Canada, which defeated Guatemala 10-0 on Tuesday to finish group play with a 21-0 goal differential in its three wins, and the United States are heavy favorites to play on Sunday. That’s the game everyone has been waiting for, even Canadian star Christine Sinclair.
“The Americans are the best team in the world right now,” Sinclair said Sunday after her team clinched its berth in the semifinals. “Ideally, you want to avoid them (in the semifinals) and hopefully play them in the final.”