U.S. seeks World Cup clincher at Trinidad and Tobago

The U.S. men’s national team has simplified its route to Russia for the 2018 World Cup: win and in.

After an arduous journey, one that included an 0-2 start to the 10-match final round of CONCACAF qualifying that resulted in the firing of coach Jurgen Klinsmann, the Americans are in position to advance with a result against Trinidad and Tobago on Tuesday in Couva, Trinidad.

Even a tie should be enough for Team USA following a 4-0 victory against Panama on Friday in Orlando, Fla.

“I think we’re in a pretty good position,” U.S. coach Bruce Arena told the team’s website. “I believe unless something completely bizarre occurs, one point secures us third place in the group.”

The Americans (3-3-3) hold the third and final automatic qualifying spot with 12 points in the six-team group. Both Mexico (21 points) and Costa Rica (16) have qualified. The fourth-place finisher goes into a playoff against either Australia or Syria to reach the World Cup.

Panama and Honduras each has 10 points. On Tuesday, Panama hosts Costa Rica and Honduras faces Mexico.

If third place comes down to the goal-differential tiebreaker, the U.S. team has a seven-goal advantage over Panama and is 12 up on Honduras.

“The job is half-done,” defender Matt Besler said after the Panama win. “Now we have to go (to Trinidad) and do the rest.”

The U.S. team looks to build off its most recent performance when Jozy Altidore scored twice, Bobby Wood once and Christian Pulisic scored and set up another goal. Pulisic, the 19-year-old wunderkind, has been involved in 11 of the 16 goals scored for the U.S. in the final round of qualifying.

“The kid killed us,” Panama coach Hernan Dario Gomez said of Pulisic. “He did what he wanted.”

Pulisic has a bruised calf after taking a beating vs. the Panamanians but should start Tuesday.

While Trinidad and Tobago (1-8-0) is last in the group, Arena is wary of the match at Ato Boldon Stadium (capacity 10,000).

“They could care less if they have players sent off and all those things,” Arena said. “I suspect that they are just going to be a handful because they have nothing to lose. We have to be smart and prepare like they are a team that’s going to play to beat us.”

The Americans could lose and still qualify if Honduras and Panama both draw or lose their matches.