USMNT beats Trinidad and Tobago, moves closer to World Cup qualification

Christian Pulisic wasn’t born in 1990 or 1994 and he doesn’t remember 2002. But while the brightest young star in United States soccer wasn’t around for the nation’s most important World Cup appearance, or its only one on home soil, or its most successful in the modern era, he is likely to have a major impact on the next time the U.S. aims for the sport’s biggest stage.

Pulisic, 17, was outstanding on Tuesday night as Jurgen Klinsmann’s Americans breezed past Trinidad and Tobago 4-0 at EverBank Field in Jacksonville to finish top in qualifying Group C and move seamlessly toward the final qualification stage for the 2018 World Cup.

The teenager, who plays his club soccer for German giant Borussia Dortmund, became the youngest American player ever to start a World Cup qualifier and appeared utterly unfazed by the occasion.

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His spark and drive were the highlights of a comprehensive U.S. performance that will give the team plenty of confidence ahead of its critical clash with Mexico on Nov.11, a fixture that will open the “Hex” – the six-team round-robin that will send at least three teams to Russia in 2018.

Faced with a tough and physical backline, the youngster showed fearlessness in his forward runs and insight in his passes and helped Klinsmann’s men take complete control.

Sacha Kljestan gave the home side the lead just before half-time, poking the ball home after a poor attempted clearance from T+T defender Khaleem Hyland.

Jozy Altidore added a second after an hour and another three minutes later, set up by a delightful ball across the face of goal from Pulisic, who had given himself space by exchange swift passes with Kljestan.

Sub Paul Arriola got the fourth to put the stamp on a fine performance, even if stiffer tests are to follow over the next year.
This round of qualifying is more of an annoyance than a genuine threat. A defeat in Guatemala in March provided a hiccup but nothing more. Now the serious business begins.

It has often been lamented that the U.S. does not produce enough world-class players and those that do come through the ranks, emerge too slowly.

It’s too early to anoint Pulisic on a global level – he is not even a regular contributor for his club team. But in his early showing for the national squad he has proven two things. That he belongs, and that he is undaunted.