The United States and Trinidad and Tobago played to a 0-0 draw in their CONCACAF World Cup semifinal qualifying match at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, last night, which puts both teams on four points following two Group C matches.
The US was largely outplayed in the first 45 minutes, with T&T generating the better of the chances, but Jurgen Klinsmann’s team did show signs of life in the second half.
Joevin Jones nearly gave T&T the lead in opening minute, when Kenwyne Jones played a diagonal ball back to him at the top of the US penalty area, but the Chicago Fire player’s attempt went over the crossbar.
In the 13th minute, Kenwyne Jones made a nice spinning move to his right and fired a shot that would have beaten US goalkeeper Tim Howard. However, the 18-yard effort missed wide to the left.
The best two chances for the US were both from long range. Fabian Johnson struck a nice line drive from 20 yards in the 19th minute, but the ball went right to goalkeeper Jan Michael Williams. Jozy Altidore’s dipping volley a minute later went over the goal.
Cordell Cato had another chance on goal for the hosts in the 26th minute. The speedy midfielder was played through by Khaleem Hyland, but his right-footed shot was off target.
In the opening minutes of the second half, Altidore found strike partner Gyasi Zardes with a curling ball across goal, but the LA Galaxy player’s headed attempt slammed off the crossbar.
That led to a counter-attack for T&T, as Jones sprinted down the left side of the field and played a nice ball across, but none of his teammates could reach it.
Joevin Jones had back-to-back chances in the 64th minute. The 24-year-old’s headed attempt was not hit cleanly, but he secured the rebound and fired a solid left-footed shot right at Howard.
US coach Jurgen Klinsmann went to his bench in the 68th minute, substituting defender Tim Ream for Portland Timbers’ midfielder Darlington Nagbe. Bobby Wood came on for Zardes in the 75th minute.
Jermaine Jones saw his thunderous strike from 35 yards tipped just over the bar by Williams. The US couldn’t capitalise from the ensuing corner kick.
Howard got his first competitive start for the United States since last year’s World Cup, and right-back Michael Orozco also was inserted into the American lineup.
The US resumes World Cup qualifying with a home- and-home series against Guatemala on Friday, March 25, and Tuesday, March 29.