The Yanks rarely do anything easy. Last night in Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago, it took a wunderstrike from midfielder Ricardo Clark in the sixty second minute to get the Americans a full three points during what can best be described as an "uneven" performance. A win is a win, and three points is three points, so any consternation on the part of the fans might be a touch unseemly, especially as the US, thanks to Honduras' 1-0 loss to Mexico at Azteca, now sits back atop the Hexagonal table.

The Americans looked lethargic and lazy, with several players making minimal contributions. Even Landon Donovan, the dynamo in the midfield who runs enough to make Forrest Gump jealous, was off his game. Rarely did the US threaten beyond a half-chance, and never did they seem dominant. T&T, with the speed of Carlos Edwards and the physicality of Kenwyne Jones, put some pressure on the American back line and forced Tim Howard into a few important saves. Perhaps the US wasn't "lucky" to leave the islands with three points, because good teams win games when they don't play their best; Bob Bradley's team certainly did that, and it would be unfair to put a dismissive label Clark's second goal as a US international.

With six points in five days and the Hex lead back in their possession, I find it just a little difficult to be overly critical of the players or Bob Bradley. While the victory over El Salvador wasn't pretty (though I still think the US player better than many people believe), and last night's performance frustrated many of us for most, if not all, of the match, the only objective at the moment is to qualify. Whether or not we're seeing the Americans' best is somewhat beside the point; the only job is to win, and they've managed to do it twice in less than a week.

There is, of course, something to be said for doing what your supposed to, and not leaving the outcome up to a long range goal from a player who shouldn't be counted on to score. The American attack couldn't find any momentum until late in the match, with things opened up a bit by Clark's blast. Charlie Davies and Jozy Altidore didn't play particularly well, and right sided midfielder Clint Dempsey was missing in action for most of the night. Donovan's efforts almost invariably ended in disappointment, with a lot of movement but very little incisive action. The few times that Donovan did get himself into dangerous positions or was able to get in on goal, his shots were weak or poorly directed.


And then we bounce back to this. The Americans are on the verge of guaranteeing their place in South Africa. Costa Rica is a shell of their early Hex self, Mexico's push still has them a few points behind the Yanks, Honduras deserved better (maybe) but came away with nothing in Mexico City, and the relatively steady Americans sit in the catbird seat.

One result, be it victory or draw, in their last two matches will put the US back in the World Cup for a sixth consecutive time. That's no easy feat, and we should thank our lucky stars that US Soccer has progress to the point that we can criticize our team in a victory. Not every nation has that luxury.

Three points is three points. Honduras is next in Honduras on October 10, with a home match to the crumbling Costa Rica four days later on October 14th. I'll be happy with three points in either match, no matter the nature of the victory, because it will mean qualification. That was the goal; qualify, and try to get better before 2010. Bradley might have his work cut out for him on the latter, but he's on the edge of achieving the former.

Now, if they can just take that next step and somehow get a win on the road in Central America...

Video of all of the CONCACAF qualifying goals from last night:

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With a win tonight in Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago, the United States can take the first real step towards qualifying for the 2010 World Cup. While three points won't earn them a spot in the finals field, it will guarantee a top four finish; barring a collapse in their remaining two matches (away to Honduras and home to Costa Rica), the Americans should be on their way to their fifth consecutive World Cup.

The last time the Yanks faced off against the Soca Warriors, April 1st in Nashville, Jozy Altidore held his coming out party. The young striker, in the lineup despite being unable to get a game on the club level, scored a hat trick. The Americans did what they were supposed to that day, thumping T&T at home. It would stand to reason then, that the US is due for another comfortable win; T&T isn't in Central America, after all, so that dreaded record of poor away form shouldn't be an issue.

Bob Bradley has re-molded his team since that night in Nashville, with several players staking their claim to first eleven places. Three starters in that match, DeMarcus Beasley, Frankie Hejduk, and Pablo Mastroeni, did not even make the training roster for this round. Charlie Davies, who wasn't a major factor in the National Team picture at the time, has come on rapidly, and is now an almost sure selection.

Still, even with so many positive changes, things will not be easy. The Americans are the better team, that much is clear and certain; whether they can bring their superior talent to bear on the match tonight is another issue altogether. Despite being at home and superior to El Salvador, the US did have a few issues on Saturday, and might be a little lucky to have escaped with three points. Simply controlling the game does not always bring victory, as a few critical moments can turn a match on its head and produce an unexpected result.

Are the Americans both confident and focused enough to dominate on the road tonight? The answer to that question could very well determine if they leave Port of Spain with a triumphant three points and the guarantee of at least a fourth place finish in the Hexagonal, a disappointing draw (which still might guarantee fourth is El Salvador lose to Costa Rica), or a deflating loss. Saturday in Utah, at least for many, did nothing to assuage fears that the US loses themselves a bit when facing inferior competition; the expectation of a resounding win is tough to carry confidently when the team fails to live up to them.

Trinidad & Tobago will be looking to avenge their humiliating loss to the Americans in April, and restore some pride to their terribly disappointed Hexagonal campaign. They will come out with purpose, buoyed by the home crowd, and they might even push the action for the initial phase of the game. If Bob Bradley has properly prepared his team, and if the US has learned from the El Salvador match in recent days, then they will absorb the pressure, take the game by the neck, and dominate the rest of the way. If they truly are the superior team across the board and want to assert themselves, they'll go even further and push the islanders from the start. Either way, they need to do something to restore some of the lost faith; three points is three points, but style matters to many. Beat who you should, and do so convincingly, and the naysayers lose some steam.

The phrase "trap game", while not often applied to soccer, is nonetheless a worn and aged sporting cliché; any game where one team is a prohibitive favorite but faces a few challenges could be easier give the label. For the US, coming off the Saturday match with El Salvador, travelling to an island nation where distractions abound (see Jozy's Tweet from poolside yesterday), and missing one of their strongest defenders (Jay DeMerit) could make tonight's match a classic trap game. Over-confidence or complacency would be disastrous.

Bob Bradley's task then, is to not only set his team out with the best possible chance for victory through lineup and tactics, but to gauge his side's mental health and direct his energies accordingly. To abuse another cliché, it's crunch time, and all parties involved must step up their game.

Anything less than a victory against the bottom team in the Hexagonal standings should not be acceptable.

I full expect the US to win tonight, and I'm hoping they do so in resounding fashion. With Oguchi Onyewu back in central defense, the back line should be much stronger than they were against El Salvador. Jozy Altidore and Charlie Davies continue to develop a dynamic partnership up top, and Landon Donovan is at the height of his powers. If they can limit mistakes and stay away from silly, rash fouls (i.e. cards), tonight should be more of a cakewalk than a trap game.

We hope. USA 2, T&T 0.