More work ahead for American squad
U.S. job not done entering final qualifier
As great as it was for the United States to pull through when it counted, get back on track, reassure fans and so dominantly beat Panama to steal third place in its World Cup qualifying zone standings, there is more to be done.
That message was clear Friday night after the U.S. strode to a 4-0 win against Los Canaleros at Orlando City Stadium.
“Good performance and sets us up for the next game,” defender Matt Besler said. “It feels good for tonight, but we need to prepare for the next one. Of course there was pressure. We all felt it; we felt a big responsibility for the team and for our country. I’m happy with the way we responded.
“The job is half done. We have to go down to Trinidad.”
Before Friday’s match, the Americans insisted there were no thoughts of the various scenarios that could occur. Now that they got the result they needed, it is time for just that.
The win Friday lined everything up to favor the U.S. when it travels to Trinidad & Tobago on Tuesday, the final match day of The Hex.
It put the U.S. two points ahead of fourth-place Panama and fifth-place Honduras.
The Americans also have a better goal differential than the lower-ranked teams at +5. Panama is at -2 and Honduras -7.
Plus, while the U.S. plays an already eliminated team in the final qualifier, Panama and Honduras face No. 2 Costa Rica and No. 1 Mexico, respectively.
“I think a point would assure us third,” U.S. coach Bruce Arena said, making sure to remind everyone the final qualifier will not be easy despite facing a lastplace opponent.
A draw would ensure either a point advantage or a tie with Panama and Honduras regardless of the Central American countries’ results. The first tiebreaker is goal differential, and it would be hard for both to close that gap. That means the U.S. would remain in third place, the last team to get an automatic bid to the World Cup. Whoever finishes fourth will enter a playoff against either Australia or Syria. The bottom two will try again the next cycle.
“This team went from 0-2 in November with a -5 goal differential and we’re now at +5, right? That’s a big change — 10 goals in a year,” Arena said. “So we’re doing well. I know everyone thought we were going to qualify in six games in 2017. It doesn’t happen that way. So I think we’re moving along well.”
U.S. players smiled and celebrated after Friday night’s win, and gushed about each other’s performances, the big night from the big three up top (Jozy Altidore, Christian in Pulisic and Bobby Wood), how Pulisic thrived in a central role and how the 19-year-old standout keeps getting better with each national team appearance.
“We played in a way from the get-go that gave no doubt as to who was going to win the game,” team captain Michael Bradley said afterward. “It was exactly what
Bradley thinks the team should enjoy the moment and use it for confidence and spirit because as Altidore said in a Tweet Saturday, it’s “on to the next one.” I expected.”