The U.S. men’s national team can take another big step toward qualifying for the 2022 FIFA World Cup with a win tonight against El Salvador (7 p.m. ESPN2, TUDN).
The Americans are up against an El Salvador squad in desperation mode after three loses in four qualifiers, and Hugo Perez’s side knows that a loss tonight would all but end their hopes of a miracle run to Qatar.
For the USMNT, a win in Columbus would have the Americans in comfortable position heading into Sunday’s showdown with current first-place and undefeated side Canada, which is Honduras tonight hoping to maintain its hold on the top spot.
Here is the USMNT lineup for tonight’s match:
Here is a rundown of SBI’s pre-match coverage of tonight’s match:
Pulisic-McKennie-Adams starting together for the first time in almost three years (READ)
The SBI Show: Episode 348 (USMNT-El Salvador Preview) (READ)
Who will, and who should start for the USMNT vs. el Salvador? (READ)
USMNT determined to start new year with important win vs. El Salvador (READ)
USMNT embracing cold weather heading into upcoming qualifiers (READ)
Brooks, Scally and the players who missed the USMNT roster cut (READ)
SBI’s staff will be providing updates and thoughts on the match in the comments section below. Feel free to share your own thoughts and opinions as well.
Enjoy the action.
How good did Aaronson look when he went in? It makes me want to see 4 midfielders out there Aaronson, McKennie, Musah, Adams. Two forwards Pulisic and at this point Weah. 4 Player back line.
– It’s 3 points. We’ll take it.
– Ferriera surprised most everyone with the start, but put one of his two chances away, and he’s a hero.
– I’m unsure whether Pulisic has earned a start on Sunday. Aaronson may be a better choice.
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That’s all from us tonight, thank you for joining along and be sure to check out all our post-match coverage, tonight and through the weekend, as we start gearing up for Sunday’s big match in Canada.
W
This next away game, let’s go
USA 1, El Salvador 0. It wasn’t a pretty one, but the Americans will take it.
Antonee Robinson’s winner is the difference, and it was a better second half for the USA to secure the three points.
They will need much better to get a result in Canada, but it will be a very different kind of game because Canada will not be sitting back.
Big game for Robinson, who was stellar on both sides of the ball.
Great to see Jordan Morris back out there for USMNT in qualifying play. Will be chomping at the bit to make an impact and pressure El Salvador’s backline
Gyasi Zardes and Jordan Morris replace Jesus Ferreira and Tim Weah, 72nd minute. Ferreira was active, had some looks, didn’t finish them but he showed some glimpses.
1-0 USA, 72nd minute
HUGE goal from Antonee Robinson to open the scoring and take the pressure off the USMNT after the slow start.
Robinson once again stepping up to score when the team needed a goal.
Robinson was having himself a good game even before the goal, but WHAT a moment for him.
El Salvador lucky not to be punished by their goalkeepers poor effort on a USMNT corner kick. Americans can’t make him pay though for coming off his line and not getting the ball.
Still 0-0, 51st minute.
I can’t quite put my finger on the specific problem, but this team is definitely lacking something. They don’t seem to be playing nearly as well as they should be capable of and they seem to lack a killer instinct. Also, we used to be a menace on corner kicks and now nothing.
Mixed reaction from the fans at Lower.com Field as USMNT heads into halftime tied 0-0 with El Salvador. Gregg Berhalter hit it right on the head in his halftime interview on ESPN, “We need to play faster and threaten their backline.” Not enough of that from the front three so far.
Ricardo Pepi and Brenden Aaronson are useful substitutes who could make the difference.
HALFTIME – USMNT 0, El Salvador 0. The Americans had more of the ball, particularly in the final third, but haven’t done enough with it. Credit El Salvador for keeping the pressure on, but the Americans have themselves to blame for not being sharper with the chances and possession they’ve had.
Christian Pulisic could’ve played that ball sooner to Tim Weah and Weah let him know about it. USMNT needing some more energy in the final third and in possession to find a breakthrough goal.
Nice ball from Antonee Robinson to find Weah in front of goal, but his shot is blocked. Some nice work from Pulisic in the build-up there.
USA will find space on the counter, they just need to be more clinical in those sequences.
0-0. 43rd minute.
Credit to El Salvador, which has done a great job keeping up this pressure. They came into the match known for their pressing and the cold weather hasn’t stopped them from keeping the USMNT uncomfortable.
That said, the Americans have had their chances, just didn’t put them away in what has been a tight contest.
USMNT not doing much with these corner kicks, need to at least generate chances.
Musah with his best pass of the match so far, springing Dest on the right wing with a chip pass. Musah had been quiet through the first 25 minutes so good to see him get involved there.
El Salvador hasn’t backed down to the USMNT, delivering its best moment so far on the counter. Have to believe the visitors could deliver a shock goal with turnovers from the Americans like that.
Christian Pulisic has spent a fair amount of time in a more central position, it has helped him be involved, though he hasn’t made it pay off just yet.
El Salvador is playing with some confidence, just turned a Dest turnover into a promising counter, and Alex Roldan sends a promising shot just wide.
Still 0-0, 29th minute
Tim Weah has been lively on the right wing and I wonder if Gregg Berhalter will switch him and Pulisic to change things up. Could bring something new to the one-on-one battles.
Ferreira misses his second shot of the night, this off some great passes from the USMNT.
The first real shot on goal goes to Jesus Ferreira, who does well to create room for a shot. Wasn’t able to test Gonzalez, but an early warning from the USMNT after Antonee Robinson keeps possession in final third.
The USMNT doing well to link passes together, but not a lot from the forwards yet in terms of shots on goal. El Salvador doing well to defend chances and keeping USMNT wingers out wide.