Soca Warriors to grab another share of the spoils
Early CONCACAF Gold Cup Group A pacesetters El Salvador will be looking to secure an unexpected early passage through to the knockout stages of this year's competition by dispatching a Trinidad & Tobago outfit that are unbeaten in their last seven matches across all competitions. La Selecta needed a late flurry to see off Guatemala in the opening match, but will cognisant that Soca Warriors will be fresh off holding arguably the best nation on the continent, Mexico, to a goalless draw. More of the same in this crucial clash would set up Angus Eve's men well for the final group game, free in the knowledge that a win in that would be sufficient to qualify. Read our preview here:
King Phillip?
Eve and his charges had unattached veteran goalkeeper Marvin Phillip to thank for somehow keeping out El Tri in an encounter they totally dominated with 83% possession and 30 shots on goal. The 36 year-old arguably had the match of his life with some superb stops, but will hope for a bit more assistance from his defenders against El Salvador this time around. Attacking midfielder Kevin Molino, a prolific goalscorer in the MLS for Orlando City and Minnesota United, will be hoping to use this tournament to show supporters of Columbus Crew just what he can do, and there should be far greater parity in contesting for tempo of the game from which to push forwards.
Roldan in the deep
Though El Salvador were largely camped in Guatemala's half, their shot selection and threat were both quite poor until the final minutes of the game. They too will need to improve if they are to truly trouble Trinidad & Tobago. It was only in June of this year that head coach Hugo Pérez confirmed that he'd managed to persuade Seattle Sounders' Alex Roldan to select the small nation as his destination on the international stage, having also been eligible for both the USA and group rivals Guatemala. He immediately delivered on his promise by firing in the opening and crucial goal against La Furia Azul on his debut, and will be using the rest of the competition as a platform to elevate himself from the third rung on the controversial, unstable American soccer pyramid with California City Strikers in the NISA (National Independent Soccer Association) league.
Warriors come out to play
Both sides are strongest overall in their respective midfield areas, and will have one eye on the events in Mexico's game with Guatemala, immediately after this fixture at the Toyota Stadium in Dallas, Texas. Another 0-0 would be a great result for Trinidad & Tobago, and betway have odds of 7.00 for that to happen once more.
