USMNT start slow, scrape away with 1-0 win over El Salvador in CONCACAF World Cup Qualifier

Before Salvadorian goalkeeper Mario Gonzalez could snag the ball out of the net, Antonee Robinson was halfway through his roundoff backflip. Without much of a running start, whether scoring the goal or showcasing his acrobatic celebration, the U.S. men’s national team left back sealed a 1-0 win.

The next phase of Robinson’s celebration in the 52nd minute of Thursday’s CONCACAF World Cup qualifier in Columbus, Ohio, embodied the USMNT’s second half – fluid, more relaxed, less mechanical. The Fulham defender proceeded to fake a left hamstring cramp, then walked it out with a gentlemen’s stroll as his teammates arrived to celebrate.

The U.S. opened up its first qualifier of 2022 tactically stagnant and technically uptight, playing as stiff as the cold grass at Lower.com Field. Center forward Jesus Ferreira missed two chances, in the fourth and 20th minute, respectively. The latter came just a few yards in front of goal, with Gonzalez out of the play.

Even so, Ferreira set up the lone goal. It started with Tim Weah collecting Weston McKennie’s pass down the right side. Weah fended off two defenders before trying a shot of his own. Gonzalez deflected the strike into the air, Ferreira won the header, which missed Weah and fell to Robinson for the score.

Five World Cup qualifiers remain for the U.S. (5-1-3, 18 points) and its utmost laborious clash comes Sunday against Canada (5-0-4, 19 points) at Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton, Ontario. The pair's previous meeting on Sept. 5 was played at Nissan Stadium, where a frustrated U.S. allowed Canada to come back for a 1-1 draw.

'Call me Jedi'

The force was with Robinson in Columbus.

Since Robinson was five years old, friends and school teachers alike began calling him 'Jedi'. In fact, the defender playing for Fulham FC in the second-tier English Championship prefers it today.

"It's purely because, when I was really young, I was a big Star Wars fan," Robinson said. "…I feel weird being called Antonee. I prefer being called Jedi."

Robinson’s goal was his second in World Cup Qualifying, having scored on Sept. 9 in a 4-1 away win against Honduras.

USMNT holds 'second-half team' form

Eleven of the USMNT's 13 goals in World Cup qualifiers have been scored in the second half.

When asked if he was concerned about the lopsided goal production, Berhalter chose optimism, saying the eight first-half shots showed promise. He was happy with that.

"I think we could've finished off some chances. We could've been up 1-0, or 2-0, and we weren't," he said.

Christian Pulisic struggles

The last time U.S. star and captain Christian Pulisic played his preferred left winger position for England's Chelsea FC, the USMNT hadn't yet started World Cup qualifiers.

Despite Berhalter playing the forward at that position, including Thursday's showing, Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel deploys Pulisic practically anywhere but the left – as a center forward, right winger, attacking midfielder. On top of that, the USMNT's No. 10 hasn't played in two weeks for Chelsea, and the hard pressing for action on the ball Thursday amplified that.

Berhalter replaced Pulisic after 65 minutes, bringing RB Salzburg's Brenden Aaronson. He said although he was happy with Pulisic's effort, the winger's effectiveness could have been better, adding that fresh legs were needed.

"It's just about him finding his top form and really finding ways to get him to in front of goal because that's where he really shines," Berhalter said of Pulsic. "When he's in front of the penalty box, (that) is when he does his best work."

The rematch with Canada

Much will be different Sunday for the USMNT's rematch with Canada. Notably, weather and playing surface.

At kickoff, weather is expected to be overcast and17 degrees at a Tim Hortons Field limited to 50% capacity (12,000). To make gameplay more difficult, the qualifier will be played on turf, which will be the first for the U.S.

For stories about Nashville SC or Soccer in Tennessee, contact Drake Hills at DHills@gannett.com. Follow Drake on Twitter at @LiveLifeDrake. Connect with Drake on Instagram at @drakehillssoccer and on Facebook.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: USMNT beat El Salvador in World Cup Qualifier: Antonee Robinson scores