Christian Pulisic wrote the latest chapter in the growing early chapters of his legacy in the 2-0 triumph over T&T on Thursday evening in the Hex round of the World Cup qualifiers. The 18-year old attacking midfielder scored in the fifty-second and sixty-second minutes to propel the United States to the third spot on a temporary basis in the Hexagonal standings.
Elsewhere, in the CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers, Mexico continued its unbeaten run in the qualifying round by comfortably trashing Honduras 3-0. In preparation to face their strong rival United States at the Estadio Azteca on Sunday evening, Mexico head coach Juan Carlos Osorio's men were looking for a positive result to remain on top of the Hex.
United States 2, Trinidad & Tobago 0
After strolling through the first fifteen minutes, the United States created several chances in front of goal, only to be turned-away by the strong hands of T&T goalie Jan Michael Williams, who apparently made six first-half saves against the US. United States' clear chances came through the flanks, where DeAndre Yedlin and Jorge Villafana took full advantage of the Trinidad & Tobago porous side defense. However, the attack pairing of Jozy Altidore and Clint Dempsey failed to impress in the opening forty-five minutes.
Seven minutes into the second half, American wonder kid Christian Pulisic scored the opener to put the home team ahead in the fifty-second minute.
Afterward, the United States continued to pile up the pressure on the defense of the Trinidad & Tobago, as Borussia Dortmund midfielder Christian Pulisic eventually doubled the lead in the sixty-second minute. The 18-year-old midfielder latched onto a Jozy Altidore through ball as he rounded up a T&T defender and calmly slotted it past goalkeeper Jan-Michael Williams for his seventh career international goal.
With this victory, United States temporary move to the third spot of the Hex. USMNT will now hit the road to face Mexico at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on Sunday 11 June.
Mexico 3, Honduras 0
Hector Herrera's fifteen-minute effort from an acute angle posed the first goal threat for either team before Mexico broke the deadlock in the first half.
Forward Oswaldo Alanis' thirty-fourth minute brilliant header from a corner-kick cross gave the hosts a 1-0 lead. Oswaldo Alanis header from inside the box accurately found the bottom right-corner to give Mexico a lead they would not relinquish. Second half substitute Hirving Lozano doubled the home team lead after sixty-three minutes as the attacker got on the end of Hector Herrera through pass and past Donis Escobar to make it 2-0.
The goal was Lozano's second goal in the World Cup qualifiers. Three minutes later, Raul Jimenez added to the lead, finishing off Carlos Vela's pass inside the Honduras box, extending the scoreline to 3-0. At the blast of the final whistle, El Tri merrily cruised their way to a vital three-points at home, which sees them sit on top of the Hex table on thirteen points. Honduras apparently failed to attempt a single shot on target, which keeps them in the fifth spot on 4 points in the Hex.