US advance to Nations League semis despite Trinidad defeat
The United States booked their place in the semifinals of the CONCACAF Nations League on Monday despite slumping to a 2-1 defeat away to Trinidad and Tobago.
The defending Nations League champions advanced with a 4-2 aggregate victory but made Monday's second leg in Port of Spain harder than it needed to be after self-destructing just before halftime.
Gregg Berhalter's side had picked up where they left off in last Thursday's home game, which they won 3-0, dominating Trinidad and Tobago from the outset and creating a string of early openings.
Brenden Aaronson saw a shot well-saved by Trinidad goalkeeper Denzil Smith in the opening minutes, and Folarin Balogun also saw a promising shot blocked by the home keeper in the fourth minute.
The early US dominance got its reward on 25 minutes when right back Sergino Dest swung a pinpoint cross into the area and defender Antonee Robinson stooped low to head home for 1-0.
But the game was turned on its head in the 39th minute after a moment of madness from Dest.
The US defender was booked by referee Walter Lopez after kicking the ball away petulantly, and then picked up a second yellow card after continuing to harangue the Guatemalan official.
Stand-in skipper Tim Ream and goalkeeper Matt Turner both lambasted the dismissed US defender as he trudged off following a needless tantrum.
That flashpoint clearly rattled the Americans, and Trinidad got back into the game when Reon Moore latched on to a through ball two minutes before halftime and crashed a ferocious first-time shot high into the net past Turner's near post.
Although Trinidad struggled to generate many clear chances after restart, the Soca Warriors took the lead on 57 minutes after a free-kick from Alvin Jones.
Jones' set
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