USMNT vs. Trinidad and Tobago score: Ricardo Pepi, Antonee Robinson, Gio Reyna carry U.S.A. with late goals

Three goals in the final 10 minutes lifted the Americans in the first leg

It was a slow start against Trinidad and Tobago in the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal first leg, but after the U.S. men's national team opened the scoring in the 82nd minute, they were able to roll to a 3-0 victory on Thursday in Austin, Texas. This a a two-legged tie with a trip to the Copa America on the line, so the aggregate is important and after a scoreless first half, it was a cause for concern. It took a while for Ricardo Pepi to open the scoring in the 82nd minute, despite playing with a man advantage, after Noah Powder was sent off for Trinidad and Tobago for picking up his second yellow in the 38th minute, but his goal was followed quickly by Antonee Robinson and Gio Reyna piling on goals of their own to provide the USMNT with a comfortable advantage before heading to Trinidad and Tobago on Monday night.

Pepi has scored five goals from the bench this year for the USMNT as he has become a sparkplug for the USMNT when they need to get into a match. Manager Gregg Berhalter called out the missing precision early on, as the USMNT once again failed to create enough good looks for striker Folarin Balogun during the first half of play, but those adjustments were seen in the second half when Balogun and Pepi played together, not only leading to the opening goal but a flood of scoring after that.

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"It was a really difficult game, really difficult team to break down, very physical team and our guys didn't panic. They just kept going. We didn't lose structure," Berhalter said after the match. "We didn't lose determination to try and get the goals and when they did you see we were able to get going and get three goals which puts us in a very good position to advance."

Berhalter hit the nail on the head. It wasn't pretty, but without Christian Pulisic, Tyler Adams and Tim Weah due to injury, a youthful USMNT got the job done. Sometimes that's something that can be taken for granted, but it goes a long way to improving depth for knockout tournaments as everyone learned something in this one while qualification to the Copa America and a spot in the Nations League final inches closer. 

[Nov 16, 2023 at 11:24 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

A comfortable score that didn't feel like it

If you forget the first 82 minutes of the match it was quite the offensive explosion for the USMNT to close things out with Ricardo Pepi, Antonee Robinson and Gio Reyna all finding the back of the net against Trinidad & Tobago to draw closer to a Copa America berth. It wasn't pretty with a scoreless first half and breaks the streak of games scoring six against Trinidad & Tobago but three goals is a comfortable lead so job well done.

[Nov 16, 2023 at 10:58 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

THRICE AS NICE

Gio Reyna's minutes limit is gone and he celebrates by scoring a goal to keep the rungoing. They know that it's a two legged tie and are taking care of business. 

[Nov 16, 2023 at 10:52 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

That's more like it!

Antonee Robinson lashed a ball into the back of the net from outside of the box and hits a double back flip to celebrate. It was clear that one goal would open the floodgates but now cab they get a third to make the away leg comfortable?

[Nov 16, 2023 at 10:48 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

The Pepi Train rolls on!

The USMNT needed a goal in the worst way and who else but Ricardo Pepi to fire it into the back of the net from an acute angle. This should be enough to win but they want more now.

[Nov 16, 2023 at 10:43 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Dest has been a problem for Trinidad & Tobago

Firing a shot on target he has had the run of the right flank but in the 75th minute of play, I may sound like a broken record but there is still not a goal to show for their effort. Leaving this match without a win would be one of the biggest recent disappointments for the USMNT even with their injuries. 

[Nov 16, 2023 at 10:29 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Double change coming but no penalty

The penalty is cancelled after a VAR review but Brendan Aaronson and Ricardo Pepi are getting ready to come in bringing an extra directness to the match.

[Nov 16, 2023 at 10:26 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Penalty to the USMNT

After already drawing a red card, McKennie is pulled down in the box and the USMNT are awarded a penalty. 

[Nov 16, 2023 at 10:20 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Improvement but still searching for a goal

More direct balls are entering the box as Tillman put a header on target and the USMNT are putting Trinidad & Tobago under immense pressure. They've yet to actually score yet but this feels like a better recipe to hit the back of the net. Ricardo Pepi may be needed for the true breakthrough. 

[Nov 16, 2023 at 10:06 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

A half to forget

The USMNT barely found Balogun with the ball and couldn't break down Trinidad & Tobago's back five even when they went down a man. T&T are doing everything that they can to head home with the game in a winnable state so something will have to change in the second half.

[Nov 16, 2023 at 9:54 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Three minutes of stoppage time

Even with the man advantage, the USMNT are struggling to break down T & T's defense in the first half. There could be changes coming after the break if this doesn't improve sooner than later.

[Nov 16, 2023 at 9:46 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

That could change things

Trinidad & Tobago are down to 10 after a red card on Noah Powder after a challenge on Weston McKennie. Already on a yellow card, it was a reckless challenge that now gives the USMNT an additional advantage that they didn't need already dominating the match. 

[Nov 16, 2023 at 9:37 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

USMNT 3, Trinidad & Tobago 0 (FT)

[Nov 16, 2023 at 9:34 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

80% possession but nothing to show for it

The USMNT has to be more direct as playing the perfect cross into the box isn't working in the early going. Trinidad & Tobago has been in good defensive positioning but the chances have still been there for the USMNT.

[Nov 16, 2023 at 9:24 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

It feels like only a matter of time until the USMNT scores

Reyna and Tillman coming in to clog the midfield has been something that Trinidad doesn't have an answer for in the early going. While the corner kicks are piling up once the first goal hits the back of the net to push the USMNT past T&T's back five, more will follow.

[Nov 16, 2023 at 9:10 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Immediately a chance for Balogun

Robinson creates a chance almost from the first kick as it's clear that the USMNT will have chances when they want them. Paredes then wins a corner, making his first start for the USMNT, but Reyna's delivery couldn't find an attacker.

[Nov 16, 2023 at 9:02 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

It's time for kickoff

The USMNT have a chance to win a third straight Nations League title but they'll need a strong performance here against Trinidad to make that happen. 

[Nov 16, 2023 at 8:50 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Prediction

With Folarin Balogun on their side, the USMNT will have no issues scoring for fun in this home fixture so they'll just need to avoid conceding too many goals on Monday.  Pick: USMNT 5, Trinidad 0

[Nov 16, 2023 at 8:37 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Can the brothers make the team tick?

They may not be in the starting XI but the Aaronson brothers will help make a difference.  

With Brenden and Paxten Aaronson in the squad, they could become the eighth set of brothers to play in the same match for the USMNT. Both are plying their trade in Germany but with their teams heading in separate directions. Brenden's Union Berlin are in the midst of a coaching change as Marco Grote will become the interim coach assisted by Marie-Loise Eta giving him a chance to impress while on international duty before coming back.

[Nov 16, 2023 at 8:26 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Kevin Paredes spoke on Morning Footy yesterday

Now he's in the starting XI with quite an opportunity 

[Nov 16, 2023 at 8:11 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Trinidad & Tobago's XI

Trinidad & Tobago starters: 22-Denzil Smith, 2-Aubrey David (Capt.), 6-Andre Raymond, 7-Ryan Telfer, 8-Noah Powder, 12-Daniel Phillips, 14-Shannon Gomez, 16-Alvin Jones, 17-Justin Garcia, 18-Andre Rampersad, 19-Malcolm Shaw

Available Substitutes: 1-Christopher Biggette, 21-Rushon Sandy, 3-Ross Russell Jr., 4-Jesse Williams, 5-Michel Poon-Angeron, 9-Nathaniel James, 10-Real Gill, 11-Levi García, 13-Reon Moore, 15-Neveal Hackshaw, 20-Kaïlé Auvray, 23-Kristian Lee-Him

[Nov 16, 2023 at 8:06 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Berhalter has always been one to give youth a chance

With six players in his Starting XI aged 23 or younger, Gregg Berhalter moves into second all-time among USMNT head coaches in terms of caps awarded to players 23 and younger. Seven of the 12 substitutes are also 23 and younger, which means the number could grow by the end of the night.

[Nov 16, 2023 at 8:02 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

The USMNT starting XI is in

Berhalter is going with a youthful XI as Paredes and Tillman will flank Balogun in the middle but behind the attacking band it's business as usual as the only slight surprise is the inclusion of Cameron Carter-Vickers.

Starters: 1-Matt Turner, 2-Sergiño Dest, 3-Cameron Carter-Vickers, 5-Antonee Robinson, 6-Yunus Musah, 7-Gio Reyna, 8-Weston McKennie, 13-Tim Ream (capt.), 16-Kevin Paredes, 17-Malik Tillman, 20-Folarin Balogun

Substitutes: 18-Ethan Horvath, 21-Gaga Slonina, 4-Chris Richards, 9-Ricardo Pepi, 10-Alex Zendejas, 11-Brenden Aaronson, 12-Miles Robinson, 14-Luca de la Torre, 15-Paxten Aaronson, 19-Joe Scally, 22-Lennard Maloney, 23-Kristoffer Lund

[Nov 16, 2023 at 7:45 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Another chance to put Couva behind them

During this tournament, the United States will head to Couva to face Trinidad and Tobago with a spot in a knockout tournament on their side. While it's a match that this edition of the USMNT shouldn't struggle in under Gregg Berhalter, the memories of missing the 2018 World Cup will only fade completely by continuously taking care of business no matter where the USMNT play. They have a chance to do that in facing Trinidad and Tobago yet again. Pressure from knockout tournaments will only make the team better in the long run and getting past the historical significance of Couva provides an excellent springboard for the Copa America.

[Nov 16, 2023 at 7:35 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Can the USMNT win without their stars?

Without Christian Pulisic and Tim Weah for this window, Berhalter will have to get creative in attack. With the home match up first it does provide the USA with a chance to put a stamp on the match but if they're to do that, Gio Reyna will be a major reason why. Likely taking over set plays without Pulisic in the squad, he will likely also be the creative force from open play. If Reyna can put his stamp on the international break, it will be hard to take him out of the starting XI moving forward.

[Nov 16, 2023 at 7:29 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Who replaces Tyler Adams?

While Yunus Musah will be the likely starter in midfield as the USMNT will be able to push the pace against Trinidad & Tobago but it's another chance for Lennard Maloney who didn't get much of a run out in his first appearance. Able to secure his first cap in a competitive competition, the Heidenheim midfielder brings more of a defensive presence that could help break up play in the away leg of play. 

[Nov 16, 2023 at 7:13 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

How to watch and odds

• Date: Thursday, Nov. 16 | Time: 9 p.m. ET
• Location: Q2 Stadium -- Austin, Texas
• TV: TNT | Stream: Max
• Odds: USMNT -5000; Draw +1000; Trinidad & Tobago +2500 

[Nov 16, 2023 at 7:13 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Hello and welcome

With this two-legged tie being based on aggregate, there's quite an incentive for the USMNT to come out of the gates strong and put as many goals past Trinidad as possible. The United States has won the last three meetings verus the Caribbean nation by an aggregate score of 19-0 so it's safe to assume that even without Christian Pulisic and Tim Weah, the USMNT will have no issues creating offense but with a Copa America berth on the line, they can't take anything for granted.