PREVIEW – The United States Men’s National Team play their final group stage game of the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup. They take on Trinidad and Tobago. Fans may still harbor ill feelings toward T&T from Couva in 2017. Both teams have a chance to advance to the knockouts. The USMNT might need a decent goal difference to ensure they finish ahead of Jamaica, who will certainly blow out Saint Kitts and Nevis.
USMNT Trinidad and Tobago Prediction for July 2
United States Talking Points:
The Yanks were not great against Jamaica in performance but they managed to get a 1-1 draw. They got to pad their stats against Saint Kitts and Nevis, which was nice and expected. Alan Soñora is out with a hamstring strain and Aidan Morris has departed camp. On paper, they should beat T&T comfortably. The last two results were not that surprising. This game will define where they finish in Group A and set expectations for the knockout stage.
While this is a C Team for B.J. Callaghan, they should get a win in this game. There’s enough individuals needing to improve their national team stock to get the result to win this group. This writer still does not think they need to win the Gold Cup for this tournament to be a success. That said, the second place team in Group A likely will end up on the same side of the bracket as Canada and Mexico. Win Group A, and they likely have an easy path to the final. It’s a critical match for this young and relatively unproven group.
#USMNT roster news:
Alan Soñora has a right hamstring strain and will not be available for #USAvTRI. He is continuing to be evaluated.
Aidan Morris has been given permission to depart camp for personal reasons pic.twitter.com/n3CSSQDoMD
— U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team (@USMNT) July 2, 2023
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READ MORE: Three Takeaways: 10-Man Martinique Upset El Salvador 2-1 in Group C Opener
Soca Warrior Talking Points
They got a 3-0 win against Saint Kitts and Nevis but then lost 4-1 to Jamaica. This is a squad with mostly USL Championship and Canadian Premier League representation. Former Seattle Sounder Joevin Jones is in the team, as is the injured Kevin Molino. Andre Rampersad scored the goal against Jamaica. They’ve got enough familiarity with the USMNT and a history to give the Yanks a bloody nose in this game.
Saint Kitts and Nevis are already eliminated from the knockout stage. The team that wins this game between the Yanks and Soca Warriors will quality for the knockout stage no matter what Jamaica does. There’s a path for both teams to win the group. They’ll put up resistance for sure.
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It’s a hat trick for Jesus Ferreira! USMNT padding those stats and that goal difference atop Group A!
0-5 | #SKNvUSA pic.twitter.com/4LpjseIMfZ
— Last Word on Soccer (@LastWordSC) June 29, 2023
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USMNT Trinidad and Tobago Prediction: Match Prediction and Best Odds
The USMNT wins this game. Jesús Ferreira and Đorđe Mihailović get the job done on the way to a 2-0 win. It’ll also barely be enough for the United States to finish above Jamaica on goal difference.
The bookies like the United States in this one as well. FanDuel has them at -1300 on the money line with Trinidad & Tobago +2200. The spread has the USA at -2 goals for -110, unsurprisingly.
Photo Credit: Antonia Geiger, emdashphoto.com, Last Word on Soccer.
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