USA plays Trinidad and Tobago to scoreless World Cup qualifying draw
The U.S. men's national team concluded its 2015 slate with a 0-0 World Cup qualifying draw at Trinidad and Tobago Tuesday in Port of Spain, a result good enough to keep Jurgen Klinsmann's side in first place in Group C after the first two matches.
Both the Americans and Soca Warriors won their first qualifiers, with the U.S. beating St. Vincent and the Grenadines and T&T winning at Guatemala to enter the match with three points apiece. Now each has four, but the U.S. has the edge thanks to a better goal differential after the 6-1 win over St. Vincent.
Trinidad and Tobago had a pair of good looks in the first half–including one in the opening minute–but neither was put on frame, as Tim Howard had little to do en route to keeping the clean sheet in his first competitive U.S. game since the 2014 World Cup round of 16 vs. Belgium.
The USA's best chance came right after halftime, when Jozy Altidore found Gyasi Zardes by the far post for a header. The LA Galaxy star hit his chance into the crossbar, though, maintaining the scoreless deadlock. It was the second time Altidore served a prime cross from the flank for Zardes (he had done so from the left side in the first half, right side in the second) only for the chance to go uncompleted.
Jermaine Jones also hit the post for the U.S. in the 78th minute. He found himself with space far from goal and let a long-range blast fly, only to be denied by the woodwork.
The U.S. resumes World Cup qualifying March 25 at Guatemala before hosting Los Chapines four days later at a site that is yet to be named. The round concludes in September, with the USA visiting St. Vincent and the Grenadines on Sept. 2 and then hosting Trinidad & Tobago on Sept. 6. The top two teams in the group will advance to the CONCACAF Hexagonal.
Here's how the match unfolded:
ROSTERS
USA
GOALKEEPERS: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Bill Hamid (D.C. United), Tim Howard (Everton)
DEFENDERS: Ventura Alvarado (Club America), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Fabian Johnson (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Matt Miazga (New York Red Bulls), Michael Orozco (Club Tijuana), Tim Ream (Fulham FC), Brek Shea (Orlando City SC)
MIDFIELDERS: Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Mix Diskerud (New York City FC), Miguel Ibarra (Club Leon), Jermaine Jones (New England Revolution), Darlington Nagbe (Portland Timbers), DeAndre Yedlin (Sunderland)
FORWARDS: Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC), Alan Gordon (LA Galaxy), Jordan Morris (Stanford), Bobby Wood (Union Berlin), Gyasi Zardes (LA Galaxy)
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
GOALKEEPERS: Marvin Phillip (Point Fortin Civic), Jan-Michael Williams (Central)
DEFENDERS: Radanfah Abu Bakr (Koge), Sheldon Bateau (Krylia Sovetov Samara), Daneil Cyrus (Chicago Fire), Aubrey David (Shakhter Karagandy), Justin Hoyte (Dagenham & Redbridge), Yohance Marschall (Murcielagos), Carlyle Mitchell (Seoul E-Land), Mekeil Williams (Antigua)
MIDFIELDERS: Andre Boucaud (Dagenham & Redbridge), Trevin Caesar (unattached), Cordell Cato (San Jose Earthquakes), Kreon Cummings (North East Stars), Kevan George (Columbus Crew SC), Neveal Hackshaw (North East Stars), Khaleem Hyland (Westerlo), Joevin Jones (Chicago Fire), Lester Peltier (Slovan Bratislava)
FORWARDS: Jonathan Glenn (Breiðablik UBK), Kenwyne Jones (Cardiff City), Willis Plaza (Central)
