Christian Pulisic is among the newest faces with the U.S. Men’s National Team, while Jozy Altidore is one of the more experienced. On Tuesday night, the two combined masterfully to lead the U.S. to a dominant win over Trinidad & Tobago.
Led by Altidore and Pulisic, the USMNT cruised past T&T, 4-0, on Tuesday night in Jacksonville. The win seals the USMNT’s spot atop the group, while also eliminating Guatemala from World Cup qualifying.
The first half started much slower than many would have predicted, but the game opened up moments before halftime as Sacha Kljestan fired the U.S. into the lead.
After playing a one-two with Fabian Johnson, a series of missed clearances saw the ball fall to Kljestan’s feet. The New York Red Bulls star proceeded to tee up a shot, firing the U.S. into the lead with his second goal in as many games after scoring four in his first 46 caps.
While Klinsmann was the beneficiary of a bit of luck, Pulisic saw quite the opposite. Active throughout the entire first half, the Borussia Dortmund product was robbed as he saw a shot from the left side carom off both posts and out, depriving the U.S. of what would have been an opening goal.
The USMNT’s second goal would come 15 minutes into the second half on a solid transition sequence from the U.S. After quickly moving the ball up field, Johnson found Altidore at the top of the box. The Toronto FC forward took a touch around his defender before rolling a shot just inside the past, doubling the lead.
Less than two minutes later, it was Altidore again, as Pulisic played provider. After playing cross after cross to open the second half, Pulisic’s ball across the six-yard box fell right to Altidore, who tapped into an open net to push the lead to 3-0.
In the 71st minute, substitute Paul Arriola got in on the fun, jumping on a rebound to seal a dominant second half for the USMNT.
Following the win, the U.S. returns to action in October for a pair of friendlies against Cuba and New Zealand before beginning the Hexagonal phase against Mexico on Nov. 11.