No identity crisis in the US with 17 of CNL squad on holiday and Berhalter still to return, says BJ

July 1 – US interim coach BJ Callaghan says the United States will “stick to their own identity” as they go in search of goals against Trinidad and Tobago to ensure top spot in Group A.

Unbeaten after a 1-1 draw with Jamaica and a 6-0 thumping of debutants St. Kitts and Nevis, the United States is not guaranteed of first place in the group. The Jamaicans defeated Trinidad and Tobago 4-1 which means that if both teams finish on the same number of points goal difference will decide the group winner, but that hasn’t deterred Callaghan from focusing on what his team must do. His team enjoys a three-goal lead in goal differential as well.

“We want to continue to remain true to our identity,” said Callaghan at a news conference. “We do understand that there’ll be an eye on the goal differential, but we’re confident that if we play our style of play and we remain aggressive and pressing and dominating with the ball, we’ll be able to score the goals and get the result that we need.”

Callaghan warned for Trinidad’s speed in attack, but the team from Port of Spain has had mixed results – a 3-0 win over St Kitts & Nevis followed by the defeat to the Reggae Boyz – and the United States should be comfortable on home soil in North Carolina. The Americans will probably not be able to count on winger Jordan Morris and midfielder Alan Sonora due to injury.

The winner of Group A will most likely avoid Mexico in the semi-finals with El Tri shooting for a third straight win against Qatar on Sunday.

“In terms of what we are, messaging with the staff all the way through to our players is that we want to be ourselves,” repeated Callaghan. “We want to play to our identity and we feel confident that if we’re able to do that, the result will take care of itself.”

History is on the US side. The teams have met off four times in the Gold Cup, with the Americans winning all four encounters. In 2019, in their last encounter, they breezed past Trinidad and Tobago 6-0.

Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1731330259labto1731330259ofdlr1731330259owedi1731330259sni@n1731330259osloh1731330259cin.l1731330259uap1731330259

 


Grp AWDLFAPIs
USA2101317
Jamaica1101027
Trinidad and Tobago1024103
St Kitts and Nevis0030130
Grp BWDLFAPts
Mexico201726
Qatar111334
Honduras111364
Haiti112463
Grp CWDLFAPts
Panama210537
Costa Rica111764
Martinique102583
El Salvador011342
Grp DWDLFAPts
Guatemala210437
Canada120645
Guadeloupe111854
Cuba001150

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