Revisiting the location of Paul Caliguri’s 1989 “shot heard ‘round the world” that sent the U.S. men’s national team to their first World Cup in 40 years, Jurgen Klinsmann’s squad was unable to match that excitement tonight on a muggy evening in Port of Spain.
The U.S. struggled to get into gear, but nonetheless gained a valuable point on the road. They now stand even with the Soca Warriors at the top of Group 3, with four points apiece.
Klinsmann made two changes to the lineup from Friday’s 6-1 win over St. Vincent and the Grenadines, inserting Tim Howard in place of Brad Guzan in goal, and replacing Bobby Wood with Michael Orozco in an effort to add more defensive assurance. Orozco was deployed at right back, which pushed DeAndre Yedlin to right wing, while Gyasi Zardes was paired up top with Jozy Altidore.
Howard got the start in goal in just his second international appearance since returning from his year-long national team sabbatical. Klinsmann had gone on record to say that Howard and long-time understudy Guzan were now essentially sharing number-one duties—yet his decision to start Howard in the more difficult qualifying match will not go unnoticed.
It was a hot night in Port of Spain, and though the near-sellout crowd was lively in its support of the home side, the display on the field didn’t quite manage to match the energy in the stands. The match did get off to an exciting start, however, and early on the hosts provided most of the excitement. Within the first thirty seconds, Soca Warriors captain and top scorer Kenwyne Jones capitalized on lax U.S. defending to set up teammate Joevin Jones, but the Chicago Fire midfielder’s shot from the top of the box sailed high.
In the 13th minute, the home side attacked again as Kenwyne Jones spun away from his defender with a neat roulette turn, before unleashing a scorching, curling effort from just outside the box that barely missed the outside of the post.
The U.S. showed signs of trying to generate an attack, but some poor giveaways and a lack of energy kept them from being able to establish any kind of rhythm. In the 21st minute, Jozy Altidore’s dipping long-range volley flew over the crossbar.
The second half saw a notable change in the momentum for the U.S., who came out of the locker-room noticeably hungrier. In the 47th minute, Altidore’s perfectly-placed cross found Zardes in the box, but the L.A. Galaxy forward’s header rattled off the crossbar.
There seemed to be an urgency among the visitors that had been absent in the first half. The Americans had more control of the the midfield, and more creativity out wide—Yedlin was much more active, repeatedly taking on his defender, while Darlington Nagbe brought a spark when he subbed on in the 68th minute. The Americans’ second great scoring chance came in the 78th minute, when Jermaine Jones hit a screamer off the crossbar from 30 yards, but the U.S. came away empty handed. Despite the improved effort in the second half, the visitors were unable to earn three points and secure the top spot in Group 3.
Questions will no doubt be asked of Klinsmann. His pregame comments, which suggested that he might be happy with a draw, could be seen as partly to blame for the lack of urgency the U.S. displayed in the first half tonight. In addition, Klinsmann’s decision not to include Clint Dempsey on the qualifying roster may trigger second-guessing following this result. The fact that the U.S.’s next qualifying games aren’t until March means that a decisive result tonight would have perhaps silenced some doubters. As it stands, the value of this away point against arguably the U.S.’s most difficult group opponent might be overshadowed by growing unease about the direction in which Klinsmann is leading this team.
The U.S. Men's National Team return to World Cup Qualifier play against Group 3 opponent, Guatemala, in March for a two-leg home and away series.
