What the USMNT needs to advance in World Cup qualifying (and what’s next when they do)

So the United States clobbered Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, but has to wait until Tuesday to qualify for CONCACAF’s fifth round of World Cup qualifying.

That’s because Guatemala battled back to draw 2-2 with Trinidad and Tobago on Friday in the Port of Spain, which was enough for T&T to go through.

[ USMNT-SVG: Match recap | Three things ]

The odds of the U.S. advancing to “the Hex” are still incredibly high whether they win, lose or draw on Tuesday in Jacksonville.

Scenarios

— If the U.S. beats Trinidad and Tobago, the Americans go through to the Hex as the C1 team.

— If the U.S. draws with Trinidad and Tobago, it is also through to the Hex as the C2 regardless of what happens between Guatemala and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

— If the U.S. loses to Trinidad and Tobago, they still advance if:

• Guatemala fails to win against St. Vincent and the Grenadines

-or-

• Guatemala beats SVG but their victory margin combined with the U.S. losing margin does not equal or surpass 12 goals.

If they advance as…

• C1, the Yanks open the Hex with Mexico at home (probably Columbus, though we wouldn’t rule out Alaska) on Nov. 11.
• C2, the Yanks open at home on the same day against the winners of Group B (likely Costa Rica or Panama).

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