USA vs. Trinidad and Tobago: Score and Reaction from 2018 World Cup Qualifier

In the United States men's national soccer team's ideal world, it would have traveled to Trinidad and Tobago and earned a win. The home side wasn't about to let that happen, however, as the countries played to a scoreless draw in their World Cup qualifying match Tuesday night.

It certainly wasn't a bad point for the Americans, who held 60 percent of the possession and earned more corners (3-2) than the Soca Warriors. But Trinidad and Tobago managed more shots (13-6, 3-1 on goal), per ESPN FC.

Trinidad and Tobago looked like the brighter side in the first half, with forward Kenwyne Jones coming close to scoring twice but just missing the frame. That was a relief for the United States, who remained mostly resolute against the lively home side and seemed poised to at least take a point in the match.

Kyle McCarthy of Fox Sports summed up the USMNT's efforts in the opening 45:

Ives Galarcep of Soccer By Ives was a bit more critical:

"

The Altidore-Zardes tandem just doesn't really work. Need to swap Wood in. Another player who could help tonight is Nagbe w/his touch+speed

— Ives Galarcep (@SoccerByIves) November 18, 2015"

Nothing came easy for the United States in the second half, either, as both sides seemed as keen to avoid conceding a goal as they were to actually score one. The Americans had more of the ball, though, and seemed the more likely side to break the deadlock.

Jermaine Jones had arguably the team's best chance in the 77th minute, when he ripped an absolute howler from distance that a diving Jan Michael Williams just got a hand on. He deflected it off the bar and out of play.

The United States couldn't do anything with the ensuing corner, however.

Forward Gyasi Zardes had a rough game, missing several goalscoring opportunities he should have finished. Grant Wahl of Sports Illustrated wondered if one of the team's veterans who was left off the roster would have done better:

Brian Sciaretta of American Soccer Now also thought Clint Dempsey would have made an impact:

Andy Glockner of the Cauldron felt the scoreless draw was the result the United States earned:

It wasn't the dominant display that is expected of a CONCACAF power like the United States, but every point is valuable in World Cup qualifying, and none of them come easy. A point on the road against a Trinidad and Tobago side that played well is more of a positive than a negative. 

It certainly didn't hurt the Americans' chances to move on to the next phase of qualifying, as Paul Carr of ESPN tweeted:

The United States' next World Cup qualifying match is against Guatemala on March 25, while Trinidad and Tobago will face St. Vincent and the Grenadines that same day.

Postgame Reaction

Jurgen Klinsmann weighed in on his team's performance following the game, per Kyle McCarthy of Fox Sports: "As we expected, it was a very tricky game. I think Trinidad and Tobago started well in the first 20 minutes, but I think after 20-25 minutes, we took over. Chances went for both sides. I think we had the clearer ones. We should have put one in of those, but, overall, a tie is all right."

Klinsmann also said he liked what he saw after halftime, per McCarthy: "There were little things that we corrected. After 20-25 minutes, we settled in the game. There is always the chance either team scores a goal, but, in the second half, I thought we were definitely closer to scoring that goal."

American captain Michael Bradley was already looking ahead to what's next, per McCarthy: "We have to keep ourselves going. Four points from these two games was important. Now we know that when we come back in March, the home-and-away with Guatemala will be huge. We're excited for it."

Former United States national team star Landon Donovan shared his thoughts on the result on Twitter: "A point on the road in T&T is never easy. Can't help but wonder if it would have been three points with Dempsey playing tonight."