An air of caution at the beginning of the Hexagonal quickly gave way to a feeling of inevitability.
No longer was it a matter of what would it take for the United States to qualify for the World Cup. Soon, it was simply when.
Nine points and a five-point lead on the field after three games will do that.
Three games later, the United States still has a five-point cushion on the fourth-place team – the key isn’t to win the Hexagonal but to finish among the top three – but its work isn’t finished.
The last thing Bruce Arena wants is to have to go to Port of Spain needing a result against Trinidad & Tobago Nov. 11.
What will it take to wrap everything up before then?
Wins against third-place Honduras and fourth-place Jamaica at home will qualify the United States.
The Americans are the only team with a perfect record at home in the Hexagonal, but Honduras (unbeaten on the road) and Jamaica (remember the RFK game four years ago?) will be difficult foes.
The only other game before T&T II is the match at Costa Rica, where the Americans have lost their last four games.
The Ticos, who have overtaken the United States (on goals scored) atop the Hexagonal standings, are now the Americans’ most important ally.
They took three points from Honduras in Tegucigalpa – and can take points from Mexico, the other team still in contention, and the Reggae Boyz.
The key is to clinch early.
As bad as T&T’s Soca Warriors have been – and they’ve been really bad – they could salvage their Hexagonal campaign by spoiling a U.S. World Cup bid, just as Paul Caligiuri ruined a nation’s dream 12 years ago.
T&T-USA would be a revenge match to be avoided at all costs.
by Soccer America managing editor Paul Kennedy