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The Soca Warriors got a reality check about the level of competition that lies ahead, as they ended their semifinal World Cup qualifying group at the wrong side of a 4-0 trouncing by the United States in Jacksonville, Florida tonight.
It was a record defeat for the Trinidad and Tobago National Senior Team at the hands of the United States and, arguably, lent a sour end to an otherwise largely successful qualifying run by coach Stephen Hart’s men.
“The reactions to this is the good thing is that we are in the hex but I was extremely disappointed tonight,” Hart told TTFA Media. “I was very disappointed in the quality of our passing, our general lack of movement and we were second best to every ball tonight. And it showed with three of the goals [where] we gave away the ball with sloppy passing and United States were breaking with energy and numbers.
“And that’s the result you get when you make mistakes at this level.”
(Copyright Sam Greenwood/Getty Images/AFP)
The Warriors were the only unbeaten team in Group C before kick off and needed only a draw to finish as group leaders. But they looked anything but regal by Costa Rica referee Ricardo Montero’s final whistle, after conceding four times within a 30 minute stretch at the EverBank Field.
Costa Rica will now be Trinidad and Tobago’s next World Cup qualifying opponent as the nations face each other in the opening affair of the hex on 11 November 2016 in Port of Spain.
The last time that Trinidad and Tobago beat Costa Rica on home soil was on 5 December 1971 when Steve David scored a double in a 3-1 triumph. To put that in context, Queen Elizabeth II was still head of the two island nation, nobody had heard of Hasely Crawford and, at two years old, Brian Lara had probably not seen a cricket bat yet.
In Costa Rica’s five subsequent visits here, the Central America nation left with three wins while Trinidad and Tobago’s two most famous teams, the 1989 Strike Squad and the 2005 Soca Warriors, only managed draws.
Still, even that record offers better reading than a list of the Warriors’ results away to the United States.
Tonight was Trinidad and Tobago’s 12th competitive fixture in Uncle Sam’s backyard. They lost 11 of those outings with their last point coming on 13 May 1989 when the Strike Squad struck in the 88th minute with a classy Hutson “Barber” Charles finish.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
Charles was on the bench tonight in his role as assistant coach. He was unlikely to have seen anything to give him flashbacks.
The Warriors started brightly enough and Joevin Jones, whose dad, Kelvin Jones, was a Strike Squad fringe player, tested US goalkeeper Tim Howard with a low effort in the seventh minute and just missed the top corner in the 13th minute.
But the visitors were already showing signs of losing their concentration by then and should have fallen behind in the 18th minute, as midfielder Sacha Kljestan volleyed off from 12 yards, after the Trinidad and Tobago defence failed to deal with a long throw from Geoff Cameron.
The Warriors were lucky not to concede a penalty after a wild Mekeil Williams tackle on Cameron in the 25th minute, as the US right back was fouled inside the box but fell outside of it.
And, in the 31st minute, 17-year-old US wonder boy Christian Pulisic saw his effort hit both posts and rebound to safety, after bustling forward Jozy Altidore had gotten goal-side of Williams from another Cameron throw.
(Copyright Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
One minute before the break, the pressure finally told as an attempted clearance from Khaleem Hyland slammed into an opponent inside Trinidad and Tobago’s 18-yard box and Kljestan responded quickly to stab home the loose ball.
The Warriors were still in the match and playmaker Kevin Molino released his captain Kenwyne Jones in the 54th minute, only for the forward to blaze a potential equaliser wide.
There was no looking back after Altidore doubled the hosts’ advantage in the 58th minute from the edge of the area, as he collected a left side cross from Fabian Johnson and turned Williams before applying a neat finish.
The big American striker struck again, four minutes later, as Pulisic ghosted behind T&T right back Aubrey David with a simple wall pass and had time and space to deliver a raking low cross that Altidore finished at the far post.
And the rout was truly on when the United States conjured up a fourth in the 71st minute.
Again, Pulisic was involved as he stripped Joevin in central midfield to initiate counter-attack. Phillip denied the teenager’s close ranged effort but substitute Paul Arriola was on hand to convert the loose ball.
(Copyright Sam Greenwood/Getty Images/AFP)
By then, Hart had already replaced Kenwyne and 18-year-old Levi Garcia, who were both ineffective, with Shahdon Winchester and Jomal Williams respectively. And Kevan George came on for Andre Boucaud in the 75th minute.
They were all like for like changes that neither presented a new offensive spark nor addressed their defensive frailties. But then Hart had vowed to give some new players a chance to showcase their ability. None took that opportunity.
Hyland forced a sharp low save from Howard in the 79th minute after a Joevin feed. But it could just as easily have been 5-0 when Pulisic sent Altidore clear in the 90th minute only for the striker to chip the ball over Phillip but just over the bar as well.
It was the last action of the game. Ironically, Trinidad and Tobago had 51 percent of the ball possession, as opposed to 21 when they two teams met last November. And T&T had five shots on target compared to six by the USA, while the Warriors did not muster a single one when the two nations squared off in Port of Spain.
Yet, in that Port of Spain meeting, they played to a goalless draw while, tonight, it was a record mauling.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/CA-images/Wired868)
“We were looking okay in the first half but I would not say we very good,” said Hart. “We were’t getting any shots on net and then we gave up a sort of unfortunate goal.
“We made way too many errors tonight.”
Still, Warriors fans have been here before, as Trinidad and Tobago looked abysmal in a 3-0 friendly loss away to Jordan on 16 June 2015, before going on to advance to the CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinal, a month later, with wins over Guatemala and Cuba, a 4-4 draw with Mexico and a penalty shoot-out loss to Panama.
Yet, this was the first time that Hart’s team had lost a competitive match by more than a single goal since their 2-0 loss to Haiti on 12 July 2013—in just his second game in charge.
Hart and the Warriors will have an opportunity to regain their confidence next month when they face the Dominican Republic and Martinique in Trinidad for Caribbean Cup action on 5 and 11 October respectively.
“We have the Caribbean Cup in October [and] I think I have to look very closely at the selection going into the Caribbean Cup,” said Hart, “and we have to realise that we have some soul searching to do. Tonight some of the big players would have to answer for it because our leaders tonight…
“Far too many of them disappeared.”
(Courtesy CONCACAF)
The Warriors should have no illusions about the difficulty of their qualifying mission when they face Costa Rica in Port of Spain on Friday 11 November.
(Teams)
Trinidad and Tobago (4-2-3-1): 1.Marvin Phillip (GK); 2.Aubrey David, 6.Radanfah Abu Bakr, 12.Carlyle Mitchell, 17.Mekeil Williams; 8.Khaleem Hyland, 14.Andre Boucaud (19.Kevan George 75); 3.Joevin Jones, 10.Kevin Molino, 16.Levi Garcia (23.Jomal Williams 56); 9.Kenwyne Jones (captain) (11.Shahdon Winchester 67).
Unused substitutes: 21.Adrian Foncette (GK), 22.Gregory Ranjitsingh (GK), 5.Daneil Cyrus, 7.Hughtun Hector, 13.Cordell Cato, 15.Neveal Hackshaw, 18.Yohance Marshall, 20.Trevin Caesar.
Coach: Stephen Hart
United States (4-4-2): 12.Tim Howard (GK); 20.Geoff Cameron, 3.Omar Gonzalez, 21.Steve Birnbaum, 23.Fabian Johnson; 11.Alejandro Bedoya (14.Paul Arriola 65), 16.Sacha Kljestan (13.Caleb Stanko 73), 4.Michael Bradley, 10.Christian Pulisic; 7.Bobby Wood (8.Jordan Morris 59), 17.Jozy Altidore.
Unused substitutes: 1.Brad Guzan (GK), 22.Ethan Horvath (GK), 2.Kellyn Acosta, 5.Michael Orozco, 6.Darlington Nagbe, 9.Rubio Rubin, 15.Kyle Beckerman, 18.Chris Wondolowski, 19.Graham Zusi.
Coach: Jurgen Klinsmann
Referee: Ricardo Montero (Costa Rica)
Man of the Match: Christian Pulisic (USA)
(Copyright John Raoux/AP)
World Cup qualifying semifinal round
(Tuesday 6 September)
USA 4 (Sacha Kljestan 44, Jozy Altidore 58, 62, Paul Arriola 71), Trinidad and Tobago 0 in Jacksonville, Florida;
Guatemala 9, St Vincent and the Grenadines 3 in Guatemala City, Guatemala.
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Gordon Pierre I have come to accept the variations in comments on the forum. Some are very technical and reasonable while some can be emotional and said in frustration. I think it’s a period for the Coach and his crew to regroup and look ahead. This is uncharted waters for all but a few Caribbean born coaches and if Stephen Hart can take us to the promise land then it is a feather in the cap of all of us.
Kelvin Jack made the point about tactics against superior opposition I might add that we also have a bit of pace and guile in our attack. Hart does not comment on this on any forum as far as I have seen. He might be well advised to renew his belief and take advice given by Kelvin Jack
Jamaal Shabazz start to play d maestro please!! Trini is d worst yes!! Stupz
What madness i hearing here!! A team that have not lost a competitive game by more than a single goal in two years lose a dead rubber by 4-0 all of a sudden fire d coach? Get foreign players? A team that ran Mexico to d ground in d Gold cup had USA on d ropes when there was competitive consequences now all of a sudden ain’t good enough with experimental picks and tactics in a dead rubber!!!
The real problem and I have been saying this for years eh is that the bootleg professional league in our sweet country needs to be a real professional league, with respect to my players getting the real professional monies and also the real crowd support, there must be a home based real professional players that are trying to make it professionally abroad that will always give our sweet country 1000 percent compared to the Players who are plying their trade abroad and I don’t blame them because if they was to ever get injured the corrupted TTFA will not help them and some players have gone through this madness before , and this is the same reason why Team Greese have been so successful because many of their home grown players represents their sweet country eh and now that meh corrupted uncle Jack Warner is no longer around to orchestrate things for our sweet country eh some folks still is very delusional that it is just so that teams does go to the greatest sport in the universe eh, we might not see another World Cup for a very long time to come eh especially with my dictator president eh, so he better start moving very fast and put the right things in place in order for us to do so eh because it seems that he won’t be getting another term in the office eh. Them really good yes
Mango ….the attitudes have to change.Everyone has to respect each other…..To be a good pro one has to be a good amateur at first….
Well I guess it is a culture thing eh, because unless our people themselves changes their attitudes towards our football, players, and the professional league and go out and support in numbers the same like in the real football nations eh, well I guess that nutten will change with respect to our development eh, and we will just continue to be spinning the top in the mud. Them really good yes.
We need to be objective, not just look at this US game in isolation. I have say back and asked my self a few questions, firstly, since the start of this Qualification process, have we seen any improvement with team? What is being done in identifying possible foreign born players? What is lacking in current players? What more do we have to do to ensure our Hex results are what we want? I have my answers, would like to hear what others think…. #Warrior2DBone
Na, we ain’t improving. The team has plateaued. Need additional players because we have no time and resources to develop any
We tactically unaware the players and the coaching staff.
Is every game so the coach giving the same instructions ??!??!
Hahaha
Pull stones instructions
Devoid of any?
And then a lady by d name of chandani refering to ppl as assholes, because u critique KJ
U mean a man…not seen him around since
Is ah man Savitri Maharaj ????
Chandani is a woman Savitri.
You ever met the person Lasana Liburd ??
No.
So you validating by one profile pic/status then ???
Really Lasana? Ok
Hahaha. Well, as far as I know then Sav!
Lasana Liburd you probably have alot of fake fb profiles on wired868….lolz…maybe u should check out “her” fb profile
Allyuh still with this…lol
Maybe the coach told him to play nutten eh hahahaga
Kenwyne watch the game from on the pitch, he played nothing !!!
How did his replacement do?
It Matters not
What the hex went on last night 4-0 trashing .
Licks like rain….
nonsense…
we need some serious Intl friendlies in order to sort this team out…our coach needs games too…as he needs to develop his plans…seems he is lacking vs higher ranked teams…the hex all our opponents are way better than us…so more games for this team…otherwise its will be licks like peas…Costa Rica next…they must already be counting 3 pts in the bag…T&T should change its name instaed of Soca Warriors…to REd Carpet …as in this hex round…everyone will be walking all over T&T….
You could hear the disappointment in his voice
i watched the game last night and I watched it again this morning.. We were obviously not very good. What had me astonished was the naivety of our players. The lack of tactical awareness and game awareness was unacceptable when you consider the international experience of the boys now. We concede far too many goals to begin with.. when you consider the goals from Peru, Uruguay, China, Guatemala and now the US, it is clear we need a re think of our approach. The manager is a knowledgeable guy but there are some things players must learn for themselves. last night was an outstanding opportunity to show the US that we could really hang with them. To give them a good game in their backyard. To leave them with something to think about….whenever we concede a goal, and it’s been an ongoing pattern, we don’t have the game awareness to know when to consolidate and make sure we stay in the game. Instead, we inexplicably think we should just open up and try to score immediately. Absolutely no patience whatsoever. That may work sometimes but we need to be controlled and clever. We need to see off that pressure from the opposing team. Making sure we keep our shape. STAY IN THE GAME. If I played last night I would have been violently furious with some of my teammates. Listen people.. We have some decent players but I really don’t think we are good enough YET to attempt to go toe to toe with these teams. They are technically better than us but that does not mean they will beat us. There is a difference.. In football 1+1 isn’t always 2 so although these teams are more refined than us ; this is where our tactical discipline and concentration should come in. CONCENTRATION AND GAME AWARENESS. I expect better from some guys.. But onwards and upwards so hopefully we can rectify school boy errors.
When or in which game have you seen these players produce the qualities that you ask?If the answer is never,then they don’t have it,so then if so team selection is poor☹️
Kurtwyn Baird that’s exactly what I’m saying. I would have thought that after those games against Peru and China especially that they would have learnt and become more tactically astute. I’m just dumbfounded by it all as I expected experienced players to be able to learn and adapt quicker. Hey.. I’m always reluctant to criticise as I’m a former player.. I’m also on the other side now as an aspiring manager. However, it’s quite blatant that they are not learning quick enough. As I’ve said previously, I do like the managers knowledge. Is he getting his points across? Are the boys taking it on board? Is he saying the right things? I can’t be sure so I can only go on what I see on a match day and try to decipher whether the correct things are being done or not.
It seems that My foreign base Coach Hart didn’t want to win the game eh, so that we wouldn’t finish on top of the group eh so that we can get a better schedule in the Hex eh hence the reason why he used the other players, especially when the game meant nothing eh, but come next important rounds eh is plenty licks starting with Costa Rica eh, and the next time that we meet the USA eh, it will be a done deal, well I will really be hoping that he will finally put Mr Bound not to score where he really belongs eh. Them really good yes
Earl Mango Pierre no schedule is easy in the Hex not even playing us,but listen to what Hart said after the game seems as the players did not follow any instructions ?
Well you know that is always the problem with some of our players eh and I can testify to that as you know when I myself was in the coaching business eh. I
Them really good yes
Kelvin please understand this is our National team and we expect to see development in all aspects of the game as a player and a coach,so don’t hold back on your observations,because when you get there you would be told in all different manner if your team performances are not what is expected,I support all players and Coaches but also hold them all accountable also??
Kelvin, i would wish if you could offer some words to these players directly/personally. The coach is really having a hard time getting thru to them.
Savitri Maharaj I’m here if they need advice. I went through the same qualifying process so I know what’s required. I cannot force myself onto anyone but if they were clever they would seek advice.
It not the matter of forcing yourself meh bredda eh and this is the same thing that I told meh nephew Gordon Pierre the 7 aside football league in the Valley started back again after many years of absence and the individuals who started it really need help because it seems like the sponsors don’t want to get involved anymore so I visited them and they told me what they needed and the first thing that I did was purchased a goal post nets for them and of course honored my prolific goalscorer Makesi Lewis with $ 1000, the top goalscorer of the league and of course he also was the winner of the pro league top goalscorer and he also won $5000 dollars and the boots of his choice and the WI sports 7″s football tournament which recently concluded in the Mandela park and he was awarded $2000 for the most goals also so we don’t have to wait for the organisers or the TTFA to reach out to you man get in contact with them and give your advice and it is up to them to take it or don’t so I will be waiting very patiently because meh family Gordon Pierre said that he will go and give them his expertise eh, like the commentary of the games that he does very professionally and also see how he can arrange the seating accommodations the same that was at the Mandela park eh for the wonderful people in the Valley I see great things happening there from this time and and years to come.
Oh lawd uncle Earl..thanks eh. Why do we have to wait for someone to ask us eh?
When I started the Players Association back in 1992 in Crooklyn eh yuh think I waited on any one to tell me to do that eh it was because of this individual who was exploiting my players eh so I decided to take his behind to court not only to defend my players and retrieve the monies that was owed to them but to also expose him because alot of folks didn’t know that he was using the football and my players to get rich the same like meh corrupted uncle Jack Warner eh and this was the same thing that I was telling the Strike Squad players that they shudda done back in 1989 eh but they wasn’t taking me on eh and look what happened eh not a penny they got eh, and I am positively certain that maybe a few of them are scrunting these days eh but thank the Lord that the 2006 Soca Worries finally got the balls and didn’t stick eh and finally got their millions that they deserved. Them really good yes
When your defenders make Dozy Altidore look like a world beater. The D has big issues.
Sometimes I wonder if we had a relatively easy Gold Cup and World Cup group and we got too confident in the squad. The Usa team last night did not have Jermaine Jones, Clint Demspey, Gysai Zardes, Gyasi Zardes and Matt Besler. If this was a test to see how good we are well we surely failed.Mr Hart has some real analysis to do. We need Bostock, Jan Michael Williams, Keron Cummings and Justin Hoyte on the squad.
US made 9 changes to their squad…with a 17 yrs old running rings alll around us…did Hart revisit the games we played against Mexico…did he use this to motivate his team b4 the match….to run like that against the US….we just looked like an old tired fedup bunch ….team not motivated to play…players not being utlised in their best positions..imagine Hart took out Garcia but kept in Kenwyn Jones…nonsense…Hart hasnt performed as coach in the last 2 games…seems something is wrong in the camp…look at his body language etc…not like in d previous games…T&T is in serious trouble….
Levi had a horrible game. I ran out of patience with Kenwyne last night. Mr hart has to figure out what to do up front.
Feel it for Marvin Philip. Didn’t see the live game. But it is obvious we gave away the ball often. Honestly I was wondering if it was intentional to come in second in the group.
4 – 0
Hahaha. You called it Ainsley!
Interesting to go back and read people’s comments about the quality of our players after the Guatemala game. Players assessment hmmmm
Cyrus was missed i think that he would have manhandled Pulisic enough to keep him a little quieter. I thought this game would have been a great chance for us to rest Kenwyne and start with more pace up top. Our game is too dependant on Kenwyne and we will miss out on more goal scoring talent just like when Stern John was there Glen, Scotland, Sealy, Glasgow, Mc Farlane, Roberts,Samuel and even Jones were left in the shadow. With the midfield talent that we now have we need to consider if target striker play is the best option or if we should do like yesteryear Spain with midfielders knowing that goals can come from anywhere.
Kirwin Weston New players from where???
It have players out there eh…doh get tied up.
They need Bostock, and need to persuade Nick De Leon for sure
Colin mentioned some Wright-Phillips guy, so that could be 3 good additions.
It’s not impossible to add to this squad.
..How many people had herd of Bostock three months ago?..
Bostock is the only player there who WANTS to play for Trinidad so ok that’s one. I personally believe we are good enough to finish top 4 in the Hex! Let’s not forget how we did in the last Gold Cup or this semifinal round barring this last game.
..We don’t know Bostock is the only player who wants to play for Trini..
I should have out of the 3 he mentioned. De Leon is consistently on the fence and seems to be still hoping for the US call up and Wright Phillips I have never even heard about he having Trini roots much less wanting to play for us
..So them we investigate and approach Wright-Phillips. And ask de Leon again. And look for otjhers..
Sherron Charles we are conceding to many goals to go forward even at the Goal Cup
Lol. Rest this one Keith it eh making sense
“How many people had herd of Bostock three months ago?”
– the same amount who heard about Chris Birchall three months before he joined Beenhakker’s camp.
..Precisely..
Alyuh rest it na, haha !!! Smh
Pressure going into this Hex. Real pressure.
Hart need new players fast, or else we’ll need a new Coach.
Just my opinion
Why would we need a new coach? Firing Hart now is akin to suicide. I could almost guarantee that if we get new management now, we not going to no Wcup.
Lol. I wouldn’t say so at all. Totally disagree. Don’t see how it’s akin to suicide. Coaches have been fired in middle of campaigns and turned things around … so …
I’m not saying fire him as first option. I’m saying unless he gets additions I believe he’ll struggle in the Hex.
“Our leaders tonight..far too many disappeared..”
Hmmm….
One needs to disappear…Kenwyn Jones…enough…of us playing with one short when he is in d team…
Yip, i agree Lasana
Not sure why fundamental jockeying isn’t a part of our game. Each time the US ran at us the defense never face them as they should and offer a proper tackle. What they in fact do is turn their backs and run as if in a relay. They run straight into the penalty area looking back ever do often as if anticipating a baton pass. That doe look good at all. Jockey and tackle guys please.
Out coached, out played, out smarted…
Klinsman is a very smart coach…
I must be missing something about Hart but I cannot understand how he persists with Kenwyne Jones. A different striker in his place and I am sure that the score could have been a lot closer!
Kenwyne Jones is the only recognized player that have been known to hold off and score on quality defenders and still is regarded as a player that is needed on the field
If Hart persists with him in the hex, we are guaranteed a last place!
But that’s the Coach Tactics so then?
It’s not like we can go into the transfer market Nigel lol!
People keep suggesting to replace Kenwyne Jones…but with who ?
Right now ANYBODY is better than Jones!
Lol. I’m 100% certain most people if given the chance to manage the team will drop Jones initially then repick him after a few games
Maybe that’s what he needs Kirwin Weston
Lol.
They’ll repick him out of force because we have no better option right now. That’s just the plain and sad truth Savitri
I saw a group of players that have not build on the Goal Cup experience in the last 3 games,last 2 games 6 goals conceded the last 2 games is not going to build confidence if Coach Hart and his staff/players cannot identify why this always happens
My opinion is that our most of our attacking players not all are not fully fit and are not full time player90 minutes players with their clubs,and have not been taught properly how to narrow the passing lanes at the time the team lose possession,eg Bradly 1v1 with Levi the old general cut out his passing options and narrowed his angles,while all of the team looked on,the US team is properly Coach,I like what coach Hart and our Staff have done thus far with what they have been giving to work with, but it breaks my heart to say we need a more quality tactical coach to take us through the Hex,or nothing would change in ability or attitudes with this young group of promise.
He’s gotten us this far, with less than ideal tools and far less resources. Imagine what he might be able to accomplish with a slight improvement in resources. The brother has done a fantastic job thus far and deserves an opportunity to finish the job.
I hear you…but unless it’s an improvement in player resources I think that’s he’s plateaued
Carlon Garcia It’s difficult to tell whether it’s the coach, the lack of football IQ by some of the players, the lack of physical resources afforded both of them, or a combination of all .But I do agree he deserves to continue as the coach.
Additional player resources as well as one or two key additions to the back room staff might help.
I’ll stand by this statement: I think Hart is a magnificent coach and did remarkably well with the tools at his disposal and under the circumstances, but I don’t think he has what it takes to take this particular group of players to the World Cup Finals.
our football is too slow, predictable and lacks pace and rhythm….. whenever we face running teams is licks like rain. why is this?? klinsmann and his team had no work to do and blew past us like curtains in yuh living room
Don’t agree that it’s the “best” result, but I get your point.. We shall see
– agreeing with Carlos there…this is probably the best result for us heading into the hex – no room for complacency.
I am not a football analyst but weak clearances inside the box cost us two goals..
Kenwyne Jones is not facing the opponents goal when he collects the ball..
TNT played most of the balls on the ground ..very few air balls into the US area..
Sheldon Phillip was brilliant once again..
Sighs
When rules are rules no more, the cold drafts slowly seep in and fill the room with unwanted cold air, very cold and uncontrolled and unwanted air!
The final score is not a true reflection of the game. Tnt did well and had we converted our chances prior to USA’s first goal things would have been different. Personally I’m not worried. I actually think a win might have triggered some over-confidence and complacency in the squad going into the hex. Now the coach and players know they have to turn things up a notch to make it through the next phase. I’m confident coach Hart will make the necessary adjustments. Need to tighten up things at the back. Clean up our passes in the final third. Convert our chances. Identify and control the key players we’re playing against. And hold our concentration for the full 90 minutes. I don’t want to pick on any player, but our skipper is critical to our success. He needs to turn up his game a notch – play stronger – more aggressive – minimize flopping – convert more of his opportunities – improve his fitness level – and get into dangerous positions more often. Obviously service to him have got to improve. Let’s not hate on him. We need his leadership and experience on the field. I think we are a lot weaker team without him.
Lol – Hopefully the same game as you, but not with an eye on the final score. The game had no real value. To me, and likely to coach Hart, it was utilized as a friendly international – an opportunity to try a few things to see where you are and what can be improved. The stats showed that we competed well against what’s arguably the second best team in CONCACAF – on their home soil. Obviously some work to do – and I’m confident the boys will raise their game and deliver. My glass remains half full.
Carlos Lee I guess the coach and the players lied when they said they wanted to win the game. This team is technically flawed in many areas and it would have been a good time to correct some of them. Forget the loss. This was a game to measure where we are before stepping up to the next level. If you felt good about what you saw, especially after the Guatemala game, good luck with that. Oh and about those stats, there’s something called the eye test that’s better than stats.
I hear you Gerard. Multiple ways to look at it. The good news is that we live to fight another day, with time to correct our flaws.
I like your way of thinking Carlos Lee!! Glass remains half full.
I am not sure why cato did not play as I find he had a really good game against guatemala and he has good ability to run at defenders.
I don’t know if he is not yet in “mid-season” form but Kenwyne looked poorer than usual.
We started the game very well but as the game wore on the unforced errors just started creeping into our game.
The one consolation I have drawn from the result is that finishing second in the group actually gives us an easier start to the hex as compared to if we had finished first.
Cato had a hamstring injury.
Or ok, it makes sense now.
Lasana Liburd you should know better. You are counting points at home after we couldn’t even beat Guatemala at home and the awful way this team is playing. How are we getting those points? Sprinkle pixie dust? You know what happens to teams who look at schedules instead of looking at their own performances.
I’m just saying what needs to be done for us to get to Russia.
It won’t be easy and I don’t think anyone can say for sure that we will get it.
Lasana Liburd What needs to be done is to become a better team technically first. Then we can think about winning these type of games and then you can predict how much points we need.
Our limitations in the technical area will hamper our chances.
We drew with the USA last November with 29 percent of the ball. And USA had very good looks at goal.
Our strength is to be solid and organised and focus on counter attacks and set pieces. Maybe we should focus on playing to those strengths.
True Lasana, but I get where Gerard is coming from.
Beenhakker worked on technique a lot with our guys to help that team get better
Lasana Liburd One of the major flaws of this team is a central midfielder to take command. What we used to call a midfield general back in the day. He will also become the de facto captain because of his abilities. The players around him will listen to his commands. They say that player is John Bostock. We shall see.. The other player who’s missing in midfield is a Nick De Leon, with a rugged harassing style like “mi mummy” from England. We spoke about that already and you or someone else mentioned Boucaud. Definitely not. We have too many dainty princesses in midfield already. Everybody is skilful but nobody wants to get down and dirty.
Hyland is no dainty princess though.
Compared to Nick, he is. He doesn’t hound a ball player the way Nick does. But I get your point.
So true Lasana…5 home games…try to win all….but Lasana I see the US finally get a new wonder boy to replace Donovan….them really good yes….
The possession stat shows that coach Hart tried different tactics tonight. He played with a narrow 4-3-3 to get our more technical player to interpass with eachother more plus. We just missed that quality in the final third to create more or score.
Had this been a must win/draw game we would have employed the usual tactics of defending in numbers and playing more directly.
Well, you can bet your tail we will be going tight again. We clearly cannot go toe to toe with these teams.
Lasana Liburd Yea surely. Is the schedule for the hex out as yet?
I know what the games are but I haven’t put the whole thing on paper yet.
We are at home to Costa Rica on Nov 11 and away to Honduras on Nov 15.
Then home to Panama and Mexico on March 24 and 28.
We would like 10 points from those four games. Anything less than seven and we are in big trouble when the final half of the competition gets going.
We need 13 points to at least get a play off spot. And we better have that by Sept 1.
Then we go into last three games knowing that three points could take us to third.
Indeed lol
Seems to me he played a 4-5-1. If he played 4-3-3, the wingers usual drive the wingbacks deep allowing our wingbacks to overlap. Our wingbacks stayed at home for the most part. Besides when you start a 4-5-1, it can morph easily into a 4-3-3 when called upon.
Gerard, first half Levi drove wing back on one side, and was then moved to the other side. Due to the US tactics, our wingbacks needed more help on defense from wingers so it made sense for them to stay home pretty much. Not sure, but I am willing to bet Pulisic had more touches than anyone else on US team.
That’s why I believe he started a 4-5-1. Plus he didn’t start Cyrus who is a defensive liability but dangerous on offense
Yep.. Cyrus crosses are better but his positioning is suspect as he is converted stopper. Saw some wild tackling and lack of composure tonight that surprised me a bit. Still think first half was one of our better efforts in a while.
We did the same thing against Guatemala and the U.S. at home. We start well and for some inexplicable reason, our game deteriorates over time.
Concentration and it makes me wonder if players are all fit enough..
I didn’t see the first 15 minutes of the game but I don’t think that would have made any difference to my assessment. I reckon hart would have liked to win but knew the result was ultimately less important than the fact-finding. I think all the talk about topping the group etc was really a red herring designed to get the team to play a certain way (51% possesssion?) but the media and the supporters swallowed it hook, line and sinker and persuaded ourselves that the team would somehow manage to win.
The story shows how much against the odds that would have been, which Hart, canny coach that he has shown himself to be, could not have been unaware of.
So, for me, the relevant questions are two and they do not include the one about why did we lose so badly.
(1) What did Coach Hart find out last night that he did not know before, both about his team AND about the US?
(2) Is there any DURABLE psychological damage done to the team as a result of the drubbing and was that a factor that Hart considered when he decided to opt for fact-finding as opposed to consolidation of his number one position in the table?
The time when you need to be in front, let us remember, is at the end.
Lmao. 10 points from whuch 4 games bro Lasana ? Hahahaha…doh kill meh. I change meh name if we have 10 points after those first 4 games.
I agree with you, 13 points is minimum for play-off spot. That should be our aim
When we qualified for WC 2006 Panama were whipping boys and we got easy points off them. This time ain’t gonna be so easy at all.
In my p.o.v. is pressure
Why is it that our wing backs do not do more overlapping? I thought with Cyrus not in the team this was lacking and maybe could have led to a different result. I also could not understand why is it that Garcia and to a lesser extent JJ did not run at the US back four more than they did.
Well, poor Aubrey had his hands full with Christian Pulisic. That kid can be a great player. He might be one of the best players that the US ever produced…
Mekeil Williams is a converted full back. He is really a central defender, so bombing up the flank probably doesn’t come naturally for him.
Levi came up against an experienced defender who had his number and I think he lost his confidence. And it looked like the US were showing Joevin inside and not letting him down the flank.
Either that or he was trying to come in on his strong foot most of the time. I thought Joevin did play to be honest.
I think JJ was unlucky not to have scored, I would say it just was not his day. I thought he played well but not his usual explosive self. Christian Pulisic is definitely one to watch and should be an inspiration to Levi Garcia.
Battered in truth !!! 🙁
The whole team including my foreign base Coach really need some kind of bush bath eh, because the way things are looking eh we won’t be going back to any more World Cups for a very long time eh. Them really good yes.
Changes Definitely have to be made Earl Mango Pierre…I want to see Bostock and DeLeon also Sheanon Williams will be a Major Upgrade to our Defense ?
Why you so….lol….we need to put away those early chances….
Brian Jordan, how is this for irony… We had 51 percent ball possession and had five shots on target to six from USA.
In Trinidad, we had 21 percent ball possession, didn’t get a single shot on target and managed a draw.
That’s a very crazy stat Lasana Liburd ?
Yeah. Is that we were too open? We fooled ourselves by thinking we could go toe to toe with the US?
What do you think Keith Look Loy? Kirwin Weston? Vladimir Henderson-Suite?
We surely won’t make that mistake again.
Way to laid back especially under the circumstances…be the aggressor and take command of the Game ⚽
Honestly, first half was pretty good. Saw a couple times where Joevin held on to ball for a tad too long when he could have passed and released a teammate. Also noted where the final ball in the last third of the field was wayward at least eight to ten times. Those are correctable issues.
We also didn’t shoot well on target.. We had a few unchallenged shots that were off target in the first half.
Not a rule Lasana, but depending on the stage of the group play, the home-away location, and the availability of key players, the home team can choose to play more cautiously leading to drop back and wait-and-see approach – do not want to lose at home.
..I elaborate on a comment I made last night: 1) Replace KJ as captain with Bateau. 2) Drop KJ.3) Find 4 or 5 solid foreign – born pros – a wing back or two, a midfielder or two, a goal scorer. 4) Don’t play you are a big side looking to play mano a mano with smaller sides.
I agree with 1 and 2. But I dont believe in the notion to assume that foreign born pros are better. We fail to encourage, motivate and harvest our local talent and it only until a foreign club picks them up that they are considered good enough for the national team.
KJ is pretty one dimensional. No dynamism, even when he holds up the ball and passes there is little to play off after that. Are there that many foreign born pros out there? Agreed, we boxed in the centre of the ring and then got knocked out.. Maybe going forward we adopt the Beenhakker conservative counter attacking approach in the hex..
Those who have less assets than others must be smarter than those others. It’s called “strategy and tactics”….
4-5 players is what we need.
I think Hart us struggling with what he has now.
I’m not too confident going into the Hex with this crop of players
We looked very composed in the first 20 minutes or so. Then, after giving away a rubbish first goal, the young boy proceeded to mash we up.
We conceded our first goal in the 44th minute and I think we were opened up long before that to be honest. We definitely looked good for the first 15 or 18 minutes.
Excellent match report.
Thanks
Shake it off. On to a new round.
Was hoping Ranjitsingh would’ve got some minutes.
It’s unusual for goalkeepers to come on as substitutes. So you either force your way in the starting line-up or your miss out altogether.
Well, if we were going to lose like that then I guess this is the best time to do it…
Yeah, I know that subbing keepers is rare.
Just thought it would’ve been a good chance for us all to see what he could’ve done.
Seems quick in the videos I’ve seen.
Everybody else in the squad has played for the national team, no?
Yes. He was the only uncapped player in the squad.
Ranjitsingh might get a sweat in the C’bbean Cup qualifiers.
Ah really hope so boi Sean Taylor ?
I doubt it. Jan-Michael would be fit by then and I’m sure Hart would want him to get some international games. Ranjitsingh will do well to get another call back at all. That would show that he did will in training.
I was happy with Marvin in goal. Saved us from a worse scoreline. Much better performance than the Guatemala game and that wasn’t bad.
I’ll be honest, I’m always nervous with Marvin in goal. I just find him unpredictable and erratic. One moment, he is making brilliant saves, next moment it seems like he has lost all focus.
Just thought it would have been good for us to see what all available players can do before the start of the hex.
Is the expectation that Bostock and De Leon will be called up for Caribbean Cup?
Are those our only matches ahead of the Costa Rica match? No friendlies?
Looked out of sort in that 2nd half after a few impressive knock around in the 1st.
We started with a fizz and then fizzled out pretty early.
A lot of our pundits and commentators tend to focus on players performance in the event…a game but what about team shape,group tactics,mobility,transition.these are the things the coach has to work out with the players he has. The effective coaches are the ones who can use players to supplement the good qualities of players and cover for the deficient areas.
The quality of a coach is measured by his ability to transform eleven disparate skills and qualities into a unified performance.