The USA plays its most important match on Friday against Antigua and Barbuda.
The Americans currently find themselves tied with Guatemala and Jamaica with 7 points in Group A. While Guatemala and Jamaica duel amongst themselves, the US gets a chance to play the weakest squad and an opportunity to propel themselves to the top team in the group.
However, the task is not as easy as it appears. In past years, the US would storm through groups as passage was a guarantee. But one of two things has happened over the last few years. The rest of the world has caught up or the US has gotten worse. Or maybe a combination of both. They have had a good year with a first ever win over Italy and a win at the Azteca for the first time in ages. But the World Cup qualifiers have been far from convincing. A 3-1 win against this same Antigua and Barbuda team was won with a forceful and tense effort. A 1-1 draw to Guatemala proved that they could not close out a weak squad. A 2-1 loss to Jamaica is hopefully the low point in their qualification campaign as they cannot afford another loss. They did better in a 1-0 win over Jamaica but still lacked the killer instinct that they have had in other years.
No Landon Donovan or Brek Shea could add to these problems but an in-form Clint Dempsey and a return from Michael Bradley could help alleviate some of those issues.
Their opponents only have one point in qualifying and have yet to win a single game. With two games left, a draw or tie essentially eliminates them. They need two wins in their remaining games and two wins from Guatemala to even have a chance. They will play their hearts out on home soil, which could also pose more issues for the USA.
X-Factor: Clint Dempsey. He needs to be the best player on the pitch if the US is to win.
Prediction: USA takes this 2-0. They struggle at times, but pull out the win.
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