As the United States prepare for their final CONCACAF 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifier at Trinidad and Tobago on Tuesday, the stakes could not be higher.
The U.S. have still yet to qualify and can finish anywhere from third to fifth place — an automatic qualification, an intercontinental playoff with Australia or missing the World Cup, respectively —based on how results from the other two matches go on Tuesday evening. Fresh off their cathartic 4-0 thrashing of Panama in Orlando, Fla., last Friday, Seattle Sounders midfielder Cristian Roldan is hopeful the U.S. can earn a crucial result.
“[U.S. Head Coach Bruce Arena] puts a lot of responsibility on your shoulders,” said Roldan, who earned his first U.S. cap this past summer, but was not a part of Arena’s most recent call-ups.
“That’s what playing for the national team does,” he continued. “It puts pressure on you, it gives you responsibility. You have a whole nation that’s watching you. There’s a lot of pressure, but guys are committed.”
The United States can clinch an automatic berth with a win, a draw if Panama and Honduras don’t make up a massive goal differential or a loss if neither Panama nor Honduras win.
The U.S. played freely and attacked in droves against Panama, but it may be more difficult given the conditions in Trinidad. The United States arrived at a flooded Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva on Monday, prompting the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation to issue a statement about the playing conditions. The field seems to have been drained as much as it could be, despite more rain on Tuesday.
“Playing in Trinidad is no joke,” said Roldan. “All these CONCACAF teams are incredibly hard to play at home. The atmosphere, whether it’s the field or the conditions, everything, it just makes it more difficult. Having a swamp on your field doesn’t help. The game might not be pretty…[but Arena] brings players who want to win and do everything possible for the team.”
