T&T were game but in the end did not bring enough to the party. They had two or three great chances--Kenwyne Jones crashed a header off the bar in the first half for their best--but we had more, and wunderkind Christian Pulisic scored twice in the second half--both very nice finishes too--to put this one to bed. I was annoyed at some of the casual play from our guys (though I bet Bruce Arena was more annoyed). I'd have liked to see more urgency from them in this must-win game. But they got the job done.
Other than Pulisic, it's hard to pick a standout player in this game. Bradley was steady, Nagbe frequently threatening. Dempsey played well. Altidore got outmuscled a couple times and didn't hold the ball up well. They'll probably be more switched on for Sunday's game at Estadio Azteca. They'll have to be, if it isn't going to be embarrassing again.
It's hard to see Panama, Honduras, or T&T finishing above the US. We're in third now (pending the later games, both scoreless at the half hour as I type), and I think that's where we'll finish in the hex. That means a trip to Russia, where I hope Bruce can at least duplicate the 2002 success.
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