The United States have the win they expected from their first World Cup-qualifying match, but plenty of questions will be asked of coach Jill Ellis and the players after a less-than-stellar performance in a 1-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago.
USA vs. Trinidad and Tobago: Final score 1-0, USWNT not at their best
Kyle Rivas
Shockingly, it took 14 minutes for the U.S. to generate their first real chance of the match, with Kimika Forbes stopping a header by Christen Press on a corner. It was one of a dozen-plus saves made by Forbes on the night, not counting her key tackles and clearances, which were just as numerous.
Trinidad and Tobago had a couple of solid chances on the break in the first half. They put the American defense in a dangerous position in the 27th minute, though they couldn’t actually get a shot off. In the 41st minute, Tasha St. Louis beat Christie Rampone for pace to get on the end of a long ball and dribble into the box, but her shot went into the side netting.
The Americans had more chances late in the first half, though they’d go into the locker room without a goal. The best chance was a 39th minute backwards header by Abby Wambach that was saved, while Megan Rapinoe nearly scored just before the break with a cheeky chip that rattled the crossbar.
Wambach was the scorer of the USWNT’s eventual goal, in the 54th minute. Alex Morgan was played through on goal and should have scored herself, but was pushed wide by Forbes. The T&T keeper also got a hand to Morgan’s cross, but it fell to Wambach, who nodded into an empty net.
While the result probably should have been in the bag at that point, Trinidad and Tobago still had some more half-chances on the break. Their best came in the 60th minute when Kennya Cordner had a chance to turn and shoot from 12 yards, but missed wide.
The Americans kept generating chances and generally dominated the match late, but T&T were in it until the very end thanks to Forbes, who didn’t give up another goal. Her double save on Carli Lloyd and Wambach in the 73rd minute and her unbelievable stoppage time kick save on Sydney Leroux were the highlights of a night filled with highlights for her, though her efforts weren’t enough to earn a point for T&T.
United States: Solo, Klingenberg, Sauerbrunn, Rampone, Krieger, Holiday, Lloyd, Rapinoe (Rodriguez 87’), Wambach (O’Reilly 77’), Morgan, Press (Leroux 61’)
Goals: Wambach (54’)
Trinidad and Tobago: Forbes, Ryce, Belgrave, King, Hutchinson, Superville (Forbes 82’), Johnson, Hinds (Debessette 79’), Mollon, St. Louis (Shade 46’), Cordner
Goals: None
