As the international friendlies come to an end, the United States men’s team is turning its attention back to competitive matches. Coach Gregg Berhalter expressed his team’s desire to win the Concacaf Nations League title once again and to qualify for next year’s Copa America. With their sights set on these goals, the team is fully focused and determined.
First Match: United States vs Trinidad and Tobago
On Thursday, the U.S. team will host Trinidad and Tobago in Austin, Texas. This match is crucial as the winner of the aggregate series will secure a spot in the 2024 Copa America. The U.S. team will aim to capitalize on their home advantage and put on a strong performance.
Road Trip to Trinidad and Tobago
Following the match in Austin, the U.S. team will travel to Port of Spain, Trinidad, for the second leg of the series on Monday. This will be their first visit to the Caribbean nation since their devastating loss in 2017 which resulted in them missing out on the 2018 World Cup. Although the team has undergone significant changes since then, the defeat continues to haunt them. Coach Berhalter acknowledges the importance of embracing both successes and failures and learning from them.
Injury Concerns
Unfortunately, the U.S. team will be without three key players due to injuries. Christian Pulisic, Timothy Weah, and Tyler Adams will all be unavailable. Adams, in particular, is expected to be out for an extended period. The absence of these players will undoubtedly impact the team’s performance, but they will rally together and make the best of the situation.
The U.S. team has a commendable track record against Trinidad and Tobago, having won all three matches since 2017. In these matches, they have outscored their opponents by an impressive margin of 19-0. One standout victory was their 6-0 win in the Gold Cup this summer, with Jesús Ferreira scoring a remarkable first-half hat trick. The team will draw inspiration from their past successes as they face off against Trinidad and Tobago once again.
Qualification Opportunities
The quarterfinal round of the Nations League features Trinidad and Tobago, along with the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Costa Rica. While the latter four teams bypassed the previous round, Trinidad and Tobago secured their spot by finishing second in their group behind Panama. The stakes are high for all teams involved, as qualification for the Copa America is at stake.
In addition to the upcoming matches, U.S. Soccer made an official announcement regarding the appointment of Emma Hayes as the women’s national team coach. Hayes is set to become the highest-paid women’s coach in the world. Berhalter commended her thoroughness, process-oriented approach, and focus on team culture and teamwork. This hiring decision reflects U.S. Soccer’s commitment to the success and development of women’s soccer.
As the United States men’s team prepares to defend its Concacaf Nations League title, the players and coaching staff acknowledge the challenges ahead. Focused and determined, they aim to secure a spot in the Copa America and continue to grow as a team. With past successes and failures guiding their preparations, they are ready to give their all on the field. The journey begins as they face off against Trinidad and Tobago, knowing that victory will bring them one step closer to their ultimate goals.
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