da betobet: GOAL takes a look at how the U.S. could line up, including a difficult decision up top.
da bet7: It's not often that you see a team on four points, fresh off a six-goal win, facing a must-win game. And yet here the U.S. men's national team is, knowing that their path to another Gold Cup trophy may just need another three points, and a few more goals, on Sunday evening.
The U.S. heads into the match with Trinidad and Tobago with a chance to win their group. Win without Jamaica making up three goals in their all-but-assured clash with St. Kitts and Nevis and the U.S. is good. A draw, though, leaves the U.S. second in the group, most likely. A loss? Well, that would be another dark, dark day at the hands of the Soca Warriors as the USMNT would almost certainly crash out.
Winning the group is vital. Whoever finishes top will be placed on the opposite side of the bracket from Mexico, a team that very much looks like the favorites. The second-place team, though, would get El Tri in the semis in what will almost certainly be a marquee match.
Because of that, B.J. Callaghan can't quite mess around in this game. He can rotate, sure, and he can play some younger players against a T&T team that should be pretty overmatched. But the U.S. can't get complacent, especially knowing that goal difference could easily come into play.
So, how does Callaghan handle it? How hard does he push for a top-of-the-group finish? And which players, ultimately, give the U.S. the best chance of achieving exactly that? GOAL takes a look…
GettyGK: Matt Turner
Sean Johnson got the nod last game and, to be honest, it would be nice to see Gaga Slonina get a game. But this is a must-win game for the U.S., so Turner will likely be the guy.
He was tested a bit against Jamaica but he shouldn't be here if all goes to plan. However, with a knockout spot on the line, its unlikely Callaghan will want to play musical goalkeepers.
AdvertisementGettyRB: Bryan Reynolds
Let's give the kid another go.
Reynolds was fantastic in the last game, scoring one goal while creating chance after chance from the right-hand side. Callaghan could go with a veteran like DeAndre Yedlin but he shouldn't, simply because Reynolds has earned the chance to be the go-to for the rest of the tournament.
Getty ImagesCB: Jalen Neal
It's going to be hard to take him out of the XI now.
He's been the USMNT's breakout star of this tournament and he hasn't put a foot wrong yet. His passing has been fantastic, with Neal routinely breaking lines with ease against St. Kitts and Nevis. With this being a similar game, Neal's ability with the ball is a big, big asset for when the U.S. looks to kickstart the attack.
GettyCB: Miles Robinson
Once again, it all depends on health.
If Robinson is good to go, he is the best center-back in the team and it would be nice to see what Neal looks like next to him. If he isn't good to go, though, Matt Miazga will likely be the guy, even if he has been slightly shaky so far.