One Game Away

A 26-yard blast from Richardo Clark was all that the United States needed in a very competitive game in Trinidad & Tobago on Wednesday night, as the U.S. picked up the road victory by a score of 1-0. Tim Howard played stellar once again in the net, although one almost did sneak by him in the first half only to hit the crossbar. The U.S. got the win they needed though, and are one game away from the World Cup.

Because of the win, they can finish no worse than 4th in the 6-team group, which would put them in a playoff game with the 5th-place team in the South American group. The win against T&T means that the USA clinches a birth to South Africa if they can knock off Honduras on October 10th. It really hasn't been a question as to if the States would qualify for the Cup, it's really been a matter of when. It looks like we'll soon know that answer. Here's the standings, with two games to go for everyone.

United States - 5 wins, 2 losses, 1 tie (16 points)

Mexico - 5-3-0 (15 points)

Honduras - 4-3-1 (13 points)

Costa Rica - 4-4-0 (12 points)

El Salvador - 2-4-2 (8 points)

Trinidad & Tobago - 1-5-2 (5 points)