The U.S. Soccer team got it’s first win on the road in the CONCACAF final round last night, defeating Trinidad & Tobago 1-0. The team has been perfect at home thus far, so this victory makes qualification for the World Cup their prize to lose.
The standings after 8 matches (out of 10) are below – top 3 qualify for the 2010 World Cup, 4th enters a qualifying playoff.
- USA – 5 wins, 1 draw (16 pts)
- Mexico – 5 wins (15 pts)
- Honduras – 4 wins, 1 draw (13 pts)
- Costa Rica – 4 wins (12 pts)
- El Salvador – 2 wins, 2 draws (8 pts)
- Trinidad/Tobago – 1 win, 2 draws (5 pts)
Things we know for sure:
– The US and Mexico cannot finish lower than fourth.
– The US could qualify after the next match with a win in Honduras (October 10).
– If the US draws, they need Trinidad/Tobago to take at least one point from Costa Rica to cement a qualification.
– If the US loses, a Costa Rica loss is necessary to qualify.
– If they don’t get it locked up on the 10th, they get to host Costa Rica on the 14th, where a single point will punch their ticket.
