Don’t blow it.
It’s as simple as that for the United States men’s national team as Gregg Berhalter’s bunch heads to Port of Spain with a three-goal advantage over Trinidad and Tobago in the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinals.
The Yanks finally broke down Angus Eve’s packed-in defense for a 3-0 first leg win in a tie that will grant the winner a berth in Copa America 2024, and will reach the tournament — as well as the CNL semifinals — with a win, draw, or 1- or 2-goal loss.
[ MORE: Player ratings from USMNT 3-0 T&T ]
It’s difficult to underscore how badly the Yanks would have to perform to lose the tie, sitting at 11th in FIFA’s men’s rankings away and going away to a 99th-ranked side that will have to attack-attack-attack at home against the more athletic visitors.
The Yanks are 90 minutes away from Copa America qualification. Those 90 mintues begin at 7pm ET Monday and you can watch it here (Stream at 7pm ET on November 20 en Peacock en Espanol).
Gregg Berhalter has several options here, even without three key players in Christian Pulisic, Tyler Adams, Timothy Weah, and now Weston McKennie. The two most logical ones would be:
- heavy rotation with the chance to plug in stars off the bench if things get even a little bit hairy.
- make minor tactical and formation changes based on struggles of 4-2-2-2
- let the big dogs eat, then sub as soon as there’s a goal or two on the board.
Here are two ways it could look.
How will USMNT line up in T&T? More of the same
Many will mention the Yanks’ failure to put a shot on target for over an hour at home, but Berhalter’s men also did not concede a shot and were in complete control.
Berhalter would have reason for backing his initial decision — something that’s very much in his DNA — and could turn out the same Starting XI or bring back 10 of the guys and switch up his keepers. We’ll go with the latter, because Ethan Horvath’s earned it and could use a boost from country.
Horvath
Dest — Carter-Vickers — Ream — A. Robinson
De la Torre — Musah
Tillman
Paredes — Reyna
Balogun
How will USMNT line up in T&T? Tweaks
Clearly Berhalter though that the best thing to do without Weah and Pulisic was to opt for, essentially, more interior play from his wingers while letting the fullbacks handle a lot of the creativity.
It would’ve worked a treat had those wingers and their center forward had better days with the ball. Stuff happens.
So here’s a bit more of what we’re used to from the Yanks with just a couple of moves.
Horvath
Dest — Carter-Vickers — Ream — A. Robinson
De la Torre
Tillman — Musah
B. Aaronson — Balogun — Reyna
How will USMNT line up in T&T? Rotation
Go for 11 changes, especially given that two of them helped flip the first leg from draw to win (Brenden Aaronson and Ricardo Pepi).
Yunus Musah is there if Maloney or Paxten Aaronson don’t look up for the challenge, while Gio Reyna and Folarin Balogun would be there if goals become necessary.
There’s a world where Matt Turner, Yunus Musah, and Sergino Dest keep their places to deliver a mild dose of consistency but it really shouldn’t be needed as this T&T is not anywhere near the best of the Soca Warriors.
Horvath
Scally — Richards — M. Robinson — Lund
De la Torre — Maloney
P. Aaronson
B. Aaronson — Pepi — Zendejas