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USMNT Loss to Trinidad and Tobago



It is almost impossible to put into words how disappointed and heartbroken I am as a USMNT fan. The 2018 World Cup in Russia would have been the last chance for anyone to see players like Tim Howard and Clint Dempsey play on the big stage. Seeing these two players, especially, end their national team careers with a terrible loss pains me as a fan. It is hard to imagine that the USMNT will not be making an appearance in the World Cup since 1986.
There are plenty of people to throw under bus after a game like this. From Head Coach Bruce Arena to the President of U.S Soccer Sunil Gulati to the players themselves. But if you ask me, the players should be held accountable for this embarrassing loss. Yes, the weather was horrendous the days leading up to the game and the field was not the highest of quality, but that should not be the reason why the USMNT loses to Trinidad and Tobago. It is tough to play teams lower than you in skill because nine times out of ten they will be the ones out working you, and that’s exactly what Trinidad and Tobago did against the U.S.
A clear example of the Unites States being out worked ended up costing them a goal when the Trinidad’s Alvin Jones collected a pass on the right side of the field. Jones was able to take a touch and send a twenty-five-yard screamer into the bottom left corner past Tim Howard. Granted, both of these goals that Trinidad and Tobago scored could be deemed “lucky”, but that is an unacceptable excuse to use. Both of these goals could have, and should have been stopped if the U.S. picked their heads up and started playing with some grit.
There was a total of 4 yellow cards given out in the entire and game, and two of them belonged to the U.S. during stoppage time. Too little too late.
I don’t know about you, but if I was on the verge of elimination and my career was about to end, I would do everything in my power to get the ball back put it in the back of the net. After watching this game over and over again I didn’t see a fire in any of the players, their heads were down, accepting defeat.  If I was in Clint Dempsey’s shoes, someone on the opposing team would have had to be carted off.

If U.S. Soccer wants to move forward, they have to first take a nice long look in the mirror. A player like Christian Pulisic, comes around once in a lifetime and it would be a shame if the United States were to repeat this game and waste this young star’s talent.  

 - Flats (@ShaneFlaherty6)



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