Talented teenager Pulisic likely to remain US super sub

Pulisic’s goal against St. Vincent & the Grenadines makes him the youngest American to score a goal in World Cup qualifying, breaking Jozy Altidore’s mark of 18 years, 339 days in a 6-1 win over Cuba in 2008.

Disjointed for much of the first half, the American forwards produced some increasingly sophisticated moves as the match wore on.

Pulisic made his first start in a qualifier and the 17-year-old did not disappoint as the Americans saw off Trinidad and Tobago 4-0 in Jacksonville, Florida on Tuesday.

As a reward for winning their group, the United States will start the Hex at home against Mexico on November 11 before hitting the road to face Costa Rico four days later.

With center back Matt Besler heading home from camp to meet his new daughter and right back DeAndre Yedlin serving a one-match suspension after picking up his second yellow card of the semifinal round on Friday at St. Vincent, MNT head coach Jurgen Klinsmann will switch things up in defense. With Tuesday’s appearance, Howard will surpass Kasey Keller for most qualifiers by a USA goalkeeper. We could have managed the game better when we were 2-1 using our ball possession more effectively.

However a massive advantage over Guatemala on goal difference means the U.S. could probably afford to lose on Tuesday and still advance alongside Trinidad, who have already assured themselves of qualification.

“We’re looking at the strongest lineup to beat Trinidad and Tobago”, Klinsmann said.

The teenager, who plays his club soccer for German giant Borussia Dortmund, became the youngest American player ever to start a World Cup qualifier and appeared utterly unfazed by the occasion. He looked liked he belonged, albeit in a low-pressure setting, with a modest crowd at EverBank Stadium and opponents who were bright going forward but supine at the back, allowing the teenager plenty of space to run at goal and dispatch a succession of risky crosses.

Though Pulisic spearheaded the the national team’s offense – with his mom in attendance – throughout he took the most breath in the stadium when he threatened to open the scoring.

Facing Mexico will be a whole different ball game for any these youngsters, if selected, but with friendlies against Cuba and New Zealand next month the US can give the likes of Pulisic and Co. some more minutes to see just how far along they are in their development.

Jones, who plays for MLS side Seattle Sounders, completed his brace in the 62 minute when he finished well from the left side of the box, but Ruiz claimed a share of the honours three minutes from the end when he tucked home a rebound Marco Pappa’s initial shot. We want to finish first in our group. For the 21-year-old Tijuana attacker, it was a second goal in two appearances, having also found the net in his debut in a friendly against Puerto Rico in May. The United States’ fourth and final goal came from substitute midfielder Paul Arriola in the 71′ minute.

The U.S.is onto the final round of qualifying for the 2018 World Cup in Russian Federation.