After a less then convincing win at home, the United States national team traveled nearly to South America to square off with Trinidad and Tobago, a team that is holding down last place like it is going out of style. Unfortunately, someone informed the USMNT that they were traveling to the island nation for a vacation, and some of them even tried to sleep through the game on the field. A surprising result was the reward for what seemed to be a surprise match for the United States.

The US came out and looked lackadaisical immediately, and T&T looked dangerous. After a couple chances, Cornell Glen put one off the bar for the island nation and the US was lucky to be even. As the US countered, Altidore ripped one from outside the box that Ince made a diving save to keep his team even. Five minutes later, a dangerous free kick required a marvelous save from Tim Howard. Howard continued to keep the US in the game, and in the last minute, Donovan played Altidore at the top of the box, who then sprung Donovan into the box and only a huge save from the T&T keeper Ince with a leg kept the game level at half. Both teams were lucky not to be down, but USMNT in particular escaped the first half.

After the restart, the US seemed to slightly awaken from their slumber as Michael Bradley started dominating the midfield. After a couple T&T free kicks, Dempsey brought the ball forward, laid Donovan off into the corner, who cut back and found Clark at the top of the box about 26 yards out. After a good touch Clark put on Superman's cape and uncorked a swerving rocket that caught the right side netting to give the US a lead. Clark's timing was impeccable, as he was likely to come off for Benny Feilhaber, who was standing with Stuart Holden near the 4th official. A moment later, Feilhaber came on for Altidore, pushing Dempsey forward. Howard then made a nice save on a bullet from Edwards. Dempsey had a go from close range as did Davies from a nice pass from Feilhaber, but both were saved, then Bob Bradley did the unthinkable and brought on Ching for Davies. Davies speed had been troubling T&T, and Ching immediately gave the ball away in two spots when he was brought on. Dempsey then uncorked from outside the box, and another brilliant save from Ince kept T&T in it. Holden then replaced Dempsey, and after a great win off a corner from Spector, Holden set up Donovan who could not find the nail in the coffin. As the game headed into stoppage time, the US looked to be in the clear, but Bornstein's deflection almost found the back of the US net, but fortunately Howard came up big again.

The final whistle blew, and the United States finally won a road qualifier, even while attempting to give it away by not actually showing up. The US clinched a critical three points, and looks to take the lead in the group as Honduras is behind to Mexico late. This would put the United States in a position to qualify automatically with a win at Honduras in October. Regardless, the United States won, even though it wasn't pretty, and got a great goal from an unexpected source.

Again, the quality of refereeing was troubling, although this crew did a better job. The ref missed a blatant corner kick, and also marched off the wall long on the first free kick he issued for the Soca Warriors. The next free kick I counted his strides, and he was a solid thirteen steps, which is more then ten yards easily.

As good as Clark's strike was, the two defensively minded midfield approach just does not hold enough possession for the United States to beat good teams.

As the finals come in, with two games remaining, the standings appear as the following:

United States 16 points, Mexico 15 points, Honduras 13 points, Costa Rica 12 points.

Costa Rica is reeling in a major way, having dropped two games in a row.

 

Player Ratings:

Trinidad & Tobago

Ince – 8 Just spectacular in goal, he kept T&T in the match multiple times, and couldn't do much against Clark's rocket strike.

Samuel – 5.5 The outside back did well against a dangerous US attack, but didn't make much of an impact offensively.

Lawrence – 6 A solid defensive effort across the board from the Soca Warrior defenders

Abu Bakr – 6 Helped hold both Altidore and Davies at bay impressively.

Spann – 5.5 Was beaten down the wing, but never too far out of position

Edwards – 7.5 Was the most dangerous player on the field, his strikes and runs were troubling for the US all night.

Noel – 5.5 Outside of the fact that the two central mids both share the same letters in their name, they didn't trouble the US too much. They needed to do better on Clark's goal as he had tons of space.

Leon – 5.5 Leon just happens to be Noel backwards, however both were relatively irrelevant.

Tinto – 5.5 Had a couple dangerous runs, but didn't trouble the outside backs too much.

Glen – 6.5 Quite dangerous, rang the bar with T&T's most dangerous chance.

Jones – 6.5 The primary threat, Jones had multiple opportunities but could not beat Howard

Subs:

Daniel – 6 Served a couple dangerous balls that his forwards should have done better with

Baptiste – 5 Didn't make much of a difference

Scotland – 4 Should have done better with his chance

United States

Howard – 9 The Constantly Offside man of the match, Tim kept the United States in the game with multiple incredible saves, especially off a goal bound free kick. Howard is the rock that could lead the US to glory next summer.

Bornstein – 5.5 Improved greatly on his last match, Bornstein got into good tackles, looked slightly more comfortable on the ball, and is still not the solution at left back unless he greatly elevates his play over the next year.

Onyewu – 7 The rock in the back, his presence in the air was complemented by a couple clutch clearances.

Bocanegra – 6.5 Looked out of sorts at times but held it together well.

Spector – 7 Continues to solidify his spot at right back, his balls in were on target and his defense was solid.

Dempsey – 4 Clint looks uninspired when he is on the wing, but much better at striker. Somehow this lineup must change so he has less defensive responsibility and can uncork more up top.

Bradley – 6.5 His passing and defensive efforts allowed him to quietly have his best game of late. His back tracking defensively was superb.

Clark - 6 Outside of his strike, he was less then impressive. His goal was a lightning bolt, and quite possibly the biggest goal he will ever score.

Donovan – 7.5 Captain consistent again shows why he is the best player on the field for the US. His dish to Clark was golden, but he could have done better with his chance at the end of the first half.

Altidore – 7 Looked dangerous every time he touched the ball, his shot in the first half was very nice as was his dish to Donovan. Got subbed when Bob wanted to get defensive post goal.

Davies- 6 Charlie struggled, but his pace still caused T&T problems. Needs to look to cross first in certain situations.

Subs:

Feilhaber – 6.5 His work rate greatly improved the defense, and his touch and passing were on the mark. Hard to see him not starting again in the near future.

Ching – 4 Brought in to hold up the ball and draw fouls, he did neither. Quickly losing his spot with the national team with Altidore, Davies, and Dempsey ahead of him and Cooper gaining ground.

Holden – 6 Stuart the super sub played well again, and fed Donovan a ball he should have finished. Good depth from the bench, he should get some chances to start post qualification.

How did you feel the US played? Confident about qualification? Wondering what bad decision Bob will do next? Let us know below.