US vs Trinidad & Tobago: A Preview

For the United States, this away game against Trinidad & Tobago is easily the most critical game they will have played thus far in World Cup qualifying. Why? Because the US has no wins away from home in this round of qualifying. The closest they came was away to El Salvador, but even then, they needed two goals in the second half to force a 2-2 draw. In the other away games (3-1 @ Costa Rica and 2-1 @ Mexico) the US looked intimidated and slack. With only one point separating the top four teams, the US needs all the help they can get before their final two games (@ Honduras and home vs Costa Rica). Trinidad and Tobago are pretty much out of qualifying, as they only sit on 5 points with three matches remaining, but that doesn't mean this team isn't dangerous. The last time the US played in Trinidad & Tobago, it was a 2-1 loss for the Americans, granted it was with a heavy reserve side, but still, the Soca Warriors will play well at home and have been bolstered with the addition of two EPL players in Bobby Zamora (Fulham) and Jlloyd Samuel (Bolton). Add them to a roster which also boasts Carlos Edwards (Ipswich Town), Kenwyne Jones (Sunderland), Jason Scotland (Wigan), and Radanfah Abu Bakr (Swansea City) this team is loaded with talent.

It will be interesting to see how Bob Bradley goes about forming his defense. Last time the teams played, DaMarcus Beasley was deployed in the left back position to counter Carlos Edwards' speed. This time there is no Beasley, and I would be stunned to see Bornstein make another appearance after his poor showing vs El Salvador. Jay DeMerit was sent back to England when it was discovered that he would not be fit for the match with a left groin strain. Which means we could see Oguchi Onyewu partnered with Chad Marshall in the middle and Bocanegra on the flank(where he plays for Stade Rennais), or we could see Bocanegra in the middle again with Onyewu and Spector move over to the left (where he plays for West Ham), and Cherundolo take up position on the right flank. The attacking players should remain the same, with Dempsey and Donovan on the flanks, Feilhaber and Bradley in the middle, and Davies and Altidore manning the top. According to Davies twitter, his leg is fine and he'll be ready to go tomorrow evening.

Two subs who could make an impact are the same ones who made an impact in the last game; Jose Torres and Stuart Holden. Both bring exceptional pace and hustle into the match and both are quite good in possession. It seems that Ching's days with the USMNT are numbered. With Kenny Cooper and Eddie Johnson both improving and impressing in Europe and Ching only getting older in Houston, I'd say the time is come to when Altidore and Davies (barring injuries) should start all matches for the US. Now is the time for them to develop a solid relationship and understanding. Both are seeing time with their clubs (Hull City FC and FC Sochaux respectively) and both will grow into arguably the most threatening pair of forwards to don the US jersey at the same time.

So here is my starting 11 for this match:

-----------------------Howard

Cherundolo-----Onyewu-----Bocanegra-----Spector

-----------------------Bradley

Dempsey-------------Feilhaber-------------Donovan

----------------Altidore------Davies

Gotta go with experience away from home in the back line, so Cherundolo comes in on the right, Gooch and Boca in the middle and Spector on the left. The rest remains the same as faced El Salvador.