Warriors, USA square off in Florida

The match has more meaning to the hosts as they will not only be aiming to maintain their unbeaten run at the venue but need at least a draw to guarantee their spot in the Final Round and a win to top the group.

Guatemala, with seven points will need to hammer St Vincent/ Grenadines at Guatemala City (this game will also kick off at 8.15 pm) along with a TT win over the US to advance as the other team from this group TT coach Stephen Hart and his team will have to do without the services of Russian-based defender Sheldon Bateau who is serving a one-match suspension.

“We know in the hex (hexagonal group) now but we also know that we have to be a little more efficient in the things we do especially off the ball. We had a long team meeting about it and we would like to start implementing it and look at this match as the first match of preparation for the hex,” Hart said yesterday.

Referring to Friday’s 2-2 draw at home to Guatemala, Hart said, “both goals were preventable on Friday and we didn’t deal with the situation well enough. We could have managed the game better when we were 2-1 using our ball possession more effectively. We lost discipline and allowed them to at least have a fighting chance by coming back into the game.

“Obviously we are aware of this and we will be working on it as we head into this match.” Hart added that he expects to make changes to the team for today’s encounter.

“I think certain players have shown in training that they should get a run out. I don’t want to change things extensively because I would like to keep some sort of balance but yes you’ll see some changes.” He continued, “I think what’s more important is to have a good performance on their own personal levels and a good, collective performance as a team because like I said this is sort of the building towards the hex.” “We have to look at October first. After a few days just to clear my head, I’ll sit down with the president (of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association David John-Williams) and the staff and plan out October and November with regards to training camps, hotels and flights once we know who we are playing first in the Hex,” Hart added.

US coach Jurgen Klinsmann has brought in Michael Bradley and Michael Orozco after they served one-match suspensions while Newcastle United’s Deandre Yedlin will miss this encounter through suspension and Matt Beasler has been excused due to the birth of his daughter.