70min: It has just been reported that Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou will leave his job after the November play-off, which as things stand is against the USA.
An email from Justin Kavanagh: “Regardless of whether they qualify tonight or not, on this performance Bruce Arena is yesterday’s man. The US are being outplayed and outfought, and worse, outthought by a team of journeymen. Yes it’s a bad pitch, but it’s bad for both teams.”
45min: The referee blows his half-time whistle. USA have been dreadful here and on this performance do not deserve to go to Russia at all. And yet – and yet – due to results elsewhere they will as things stand.
41min: Meanwhile, Mexico are 2-1 up over Honduras and Costa Rica are 1-0 ahead over Panama. USA are, improbably, still in the third and final automatic qualifying spot.
25min: The US may be losing but they remain in the third and final automatic qualification place due to results elsewhere. Indeed, Mexico have just taken a 1-0 lead against Honduras.
There was much controversy when it was announced that this qualifier would be played at the 10,000 Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva rather than 27,000-capacity Hasely Crawford Stadium in the capital of Port-of-Spain. Even Boldon himself seemed critical of the move.
Bruce Arena, in fine form during his pre-match press conference, had this to say about USA’s qualifying campaign.
“I would love to see one of these hotshot teams from Europe come here and play in our Concacaf qualifying and really get a taste of this and see what that’s about. This is very challenging, it’s like survival of the fittest. They could do one of those TV shows on this. Who will survive in the end, that’s basically what this is.”
So, this is it. After a distinctly average – and, at times, hugely disappointing – campaign, the United States are on the cusp of qualifying for next summer’s World Cup in Russia.
The permutations for tonight’s match against Trinidad and Tobago are simple: win and they qualify. A draw should also be enough (due to goal difference) while there is also a slim chance that Bruce Arena’s team could go through even if they lose.
On the flip side, USA could end up in a play-off against Australia or even not qualify for the World Cup at all should results go against them. But they are playing Trinidad and Tobago, who have no chance of qualifying and have comfortably been the worst team in the Concacaf hexagonal group.
There are two other games in the Hex tonight: Panama are at home to Costa Rica while Honduras host Mexico. Both Costa Rica and Mexico have already secured their spots at the World Cup.
To recap, one of USA, Panama and Honduras will qualify automatically, one will go in a play-off and the other will go home empty-handed. All to play for.
Bob will be here soon. In the meantime, you can read how the USA put themselves on the brink of World Cup qualification.
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