Sounders’ Dempsey starts as Pulisic shines for US in win over Trinidad

Pulisic scores twice, US beats Trinidad 2-0 in qualifying
PAT GRAHAM, AP Sports Writer
COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (AP) — Christian Pulisic rescued the United States with a pair of second-half goals, and the Americans beat Trinidad and Tobago 2-0 on Thursday night to move into third place at the halfway point in the final round of World Cup qualifying.

Pulisic, an 18-year-old phenom from Hershey, Pennsylvania, ended a frustrating start for the U.S. offense with a goal in the 52nd minute, then added another in the 62nd. He has seven goals and five assists in 15 international appearances, including four goals and three assists in his last four contests.

After crashing to an 0-2 start in the hexagonal of the North and Central American and Caribbean region, the U.S. is back among the top three, which earn berths at next year’s tournament in Russia. Mexico leads with 10 points, followed by Costa Rica, which has seven and is ahead of the U.S. on goal difference. Panama (five), Honduras (four) and Trinidad (three) trail.

The fourth-place team advances to a playoff against Asia’s No. 5 nation.

The U.S. is at Mexico on Sunday.
Altidore starts at forward with Dempsey for US vs. Trinidad

COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (AP) — Jozy Altidore was paired with Clint Dempsey at forward as the American resumed World Cup qualifying on Thursday night against Trinidad and Tobago.

Altidore replaced Bobby Wood, the only change from the lineup that started Saturday’s 1-1 exhibition tie against Venezuela. Altidore arrived to training camp late after attending his brother’s wedding.

With five goals, Altidore is the team’s leading scorer against Trinidad. Dempsey needs one goal to tie Landon Donovan’s American record of 57 international goals.

FILE PHOTO: United States orward Clint Dempsey (8) controls the ball as
Venezuela’s José Manuel Velázquez, left, and Pablo Camacho (17) defend
in the first half during an international friendly match Saturday, June 3,
2017, in Sandy, Utah. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

Defender John Brooks was in the lineup despite suffering a quadriceps injury against Venezuela.

Tim Howard was in goal, with DeAndre Yedlin at right back, Brooks and Geoff Cameron in central defense and Jorge Villafana at left back. Captain Michael Bradley was in defensive midfield and 18-year-old Christian Pulisic in central midfield, flanked by Fabian Johnson on the right and Darlington Nagbe on the left.