The Rapids, already up a goal thanks to an incredible solo run and finish by Djordje Mihailovic, nearly doubled the lead with a point-blank shot off the crossbar by Sam Bassett in the 59th minute. It gave the Timbers space and numbers to counter, and Antony, with his sixth goal in as many matches against the Rapids, equalized moments later on the ensuing attack.

A Wayne Frederick red card and another Timbers counterattack goal by Kevin Kelsy later, the Rapids fell, 2-1. The Rapids have struggled at Providence Park historically, but it����ap been even worse in recent years, having not won there since 2020. Since the beginning of the 2024 season, the Rapids have beaten Portland once but have been outscored 14-4 in those five matches.

Here are three takeaways from a good night turned ugly in Portland:

Lead fumbled, but squad encouraged

Once Colorado went down a man, Portland broke the game open and created transition opportunities. The Rapids set up in a low block defensively to counteract those moments, but it����ap tough to do so with one less guy on the field.

Nonetheless, the Rapids had a few good chances to steal a draw toward the end. Substitute winger Calvin Harris had the two most convincing: a late move and blast right at Timbers keeper Maxime Crépeau from the left side of the six-yard box, then a stoppage-time dribble into the 18-yard box where he was tackled by Diego Chara right at the edge of the area. VAR dismissed calls for a foul.

“I’m proud of my team. The way they showed up tonight and the way they played, the way they stuck to what we set out to do and stood tall in the tough moments after the red card,” Armas said. “I’m proud of the effort. I have to accept that the game does this to you sometimes, where, even when you think things are going alright, little moments can sway games.”

Mihailovic knows he should be USMNT-bound

With a 10-day break from MLS play looming, Mihailovic cancelled personal plans over the next week on a whim that he could replace a U.S. National Team member in the case of an injury or otherwise, according to the Apple TV broadcast.

After being included on the 60-player preliminary USMNT roster for the upcoming Concacaf Gold Cup, Mihailovic was left off the 27-man roster for the pre-tournament camp and friendlies. He still has a chance to make the final 26-player Gold Cup roster since he was included on the initial list.

Like Chicago Fire goalkeeper Chris Brady did for an injured Patrick Schulte, Mihailovic could theoretically slot into the camp if a midfielder became unavailable.

Either way, with how he’s played for the Rapids, there’s little reason to suggest he shouldn’t be given a shot. He was invited to camp and friendlies in January, but declined to finish rehab on a nasty ankle injury he suffered at the end of last year.

He had to exit the Portland match with a hamstring injury — Armas called it cramps rather than a pull or a strain — but it looked like he treated Wednesday night like a tryout.

His goal was straight out of a video game: Take the ball at midfield, dribble past a pair of defenders and tuck it into the far-post netting against one of the better MLS keepers of this generation.

It was his seventh goal of the season and 10th goal contribution in 16 matches.

A bevy of notable USMNT stars won’t play in the competition, including Christian Pulisic, Timothy Weah, Giovanni Reyna and Weston McKennie.

“Yeah, of course,” midfielder Oliver Larraz said when asked if Mihailovic deserves a Gold Cup spot. “I’d love to see him there.”

Jackson Travis’s Kobe moment

The youngest Rapids defender is also the toughest, or at least he was against Portland.

He had an early moment Wednesday night that would have made Kobe Bryant proud. In the ninth minute, he went down with a dislocated pinky finger on his left hand. The broadcast showed it briefly before cutting away, but Travis wore an unfazed face while trainers worked to relocate and stabilize the finger.

He played all 90 minutes.

“(Travis) has struggled with injuries before, too, but he’s a trooper and he’s a really hard worker,” midfielder Oliver Larraz said. “I think that����ap a common theme amongst us and you see that tonight. Jackson is a good example of that. He stayed ready and he’s coming into these games and has played well.”

The second-year left back missed the latter portion of the offseason and the beginning of the season with a broken right scaphoid bone that required surgery. Against Real Salt Lake just a week and a half ago, he was surrounded in a huddle by teammates just before the second half kicked off while he threw up on the field. Later that game, he finally succumbed to calf cramps and had to be subbed off.

Whether by incidental contact or lack of hydration, Travis has undergone and endured plenty this season, but hasn’t allowed it to halt his development. He’s become a staple on Colorado’s back line, starting six of the last seven first-team matches while beating out Sam Vines and Keegan Rosenberry for starting outside back spots.

At the end of 2024, he was thrust into a bigger role with Vines out with an injury. Typically, it was a win to see Travis blending in. This season, he’s standing out for all the right reasons. He makes good decisions, can disrupt passes or runs and his speed makes him a threat to join the attack.

The Rapids return home to Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on June 7 for a rematch against Austin FC.

Making its first appearance in a knockout stage in eight years, the United States Men’s National Team with an average age of 25, squared off against an experienced Netherlands side Saturday at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar. Ultimately the youth played a factor as the Dutch went on to win 3-1 over the U.S. as midfielder Denzel Dumfries had two assists and the decisive third goal.

Here are three takeaways from a heartbreaking loss.

Dutch rope-a-dope proves decisive

The Netherlands is known for its “total football” style of play. Manager Louis van Gaal employed it to perfection Saturday. The U.S. got an early, golden chance in the third minute from talisman Christian Pulisic as his shot was saved by goalkeeper Andries Noppert. From there, the U.S. controlled possession but were poor with the ball, as the Netherlands was happy to sit back, play compact and not panic. The Dutch punched back instead.

With the Americans struggling in midfield, the Dutch capitalized in both of their first-half goals, in the ninth minute from Memphis Depay and a sucker punch just before halftime from Daley Blind. They were able to time their runs to perfection and with precise passing, broke the U.S. defense. While the Americans were stout at the back entering Saturday, it was not the case against the Dutch. Knockout soccer is all about precision, and the Netherlands pounced and capitalized by poor man-marking on all three goals.

Striker woes continue

Head coach Gregg Berhalter played a different striker on Saturday, as FC Dallas’ Jesús Ferreira got the start for his first minutes of the tournament as Josh Sargent was held out with an ankle injury. Ferreira, who had not seen game action since late October, did not make the impact Berhalter was hoping for. He received the ball often high up the field and never threatened.

While Haji Wright answered back with a very fortunate bounce which went into the goal in the 76th minute to bring it within a one-score game, the Americans couldn’t sustain pressure and a few minutes later, the Dutch answered back with a third goal. Moving forward, the U.S. has all the components to make the 2026 World Cup a very dangerous tournament, but, one area that will have to improve will be finding a ruthless striker.

With the World Cup being one of the pinnacle events in all of sports, the most important position on the field is often the most scrutinized. For better or worse, it was a defining factor of this cycle, young and exhilarating in the final third, but not finding the back of the net when it mattered. If that can change and an American bursts onto the scene in the next four years, this team will go far. It’s the final piece of the puzzle.

Onward to 2026

Berhalter said he wanted to change the way the world viewed American soccer. While the ending felt all too familiar, there were also plenty of positives to come out of the wilderness from missing the 2018 World Cup. The U.S. has never been more talented, and when all eyes shift to the next World Cup, it will be on North American soil. Most of the players seen in 2022 will be in their prime.

Finding the right tactical approach to get the most out of an exciting group will be vital, and whoever is in charge will have the task of a lifetime, leading U.S. soccer to what hopes to be a truly elite era for the sport.

For Colorado soccer, it’s still promising as ever, as Ethan Horvath became the first native to make a final roster and he’ll be in his prime too in the next cycle. Plus, Sam Vines and Cole Bassett, who helped change the outlook by breaking into the senior team, will look to be prominent members in the years to come.

The 2022 FIFA World Cup had its moments for Americans to take like the fight shown against England, or the tenacity to beat Iran. U.S. Soccer can use it as a building block for better days ahead.

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Having scored the winning goal for the United States against Iran, Christian Pulisic watched the final minutes from a hospital on a mobile phone.

“They were checking my blood sugar and everything and it was flying through the roof,” the U.S. star recalled Thursday, “but it wasn’t because of anything. It was just me stressed watching the game. But once I got through that and the final whistle blew, I was obviously very happy.”

Pulisic hopes to play against the Netherlands in the round of 16 at the World Cup on Saturday after bruising his pelvic bone when he collided with goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand while scoring in the 38th minute of the Americans’ 1-0 win Tuesday.

“I will do everything in my power to work with this medical team and make sure that I can play,” he said during a news conference, sitting next to teammate Tim Weah.

Pulisic said he took a knee to the pelvic bone and not the genitals.

“It was very painful,” he recalled. “That bone is there for a reason, to protect you, I think, I hit it well. It was sore, but like I said, I’m getting better.”

Pulisic was down on the field for about three minutes before he re-entered the game and finished the first half. He was replaced by Brenden Aaronson at the start of the second half and was taken to Hamad General Hospital, accompanied by athletic trainer Harris Patel.

“This team helps me so much to take the pressure off of me,” Pulisic said. “A couple of years ago, there were times where maybe I felt like I needed to do more. But with these guys I don’t feel that way at all, to be honest. I know they have my back.”

If the U.S. beats the Netherlands, they would reach the quarterfinals for the first time since 2002 and face Argentina or Australia. Players realize each of their games has been viewed by 10 million to 20 million on U.S. television.

“I hope that they can see just the unity and the team spirit that we display. I hope that what’s helping us gain fans,” Pulisic said.

“You can see all the individual talent — we have guys playing at top clubs across the world, but without the brotherhood, without this family aspect, we wouldn’t be in this position,” he added.

Pulisic and Tim Weah were asked by a Dutch reporter how big the World Cup was for people in the U.S.

“It’s the biggest sport now,” said Weah, a son of former FIFA Player of the Year and current Liberia President George Weah. “We’re on a stage and it’s our job to make sure they know that this is sport we play, and I think everyone back home is realizing the team has talent.”

Pulisic downplayed comparisons between his goal against Iran and Landon Donovan’s iconic moment, an injury-time goal against Algeria in 2010 that advanced the Americans to the knockout stage.

“I’m hoping I haven’t had that moment yet, to be honest,” Pulisic said. “I’m hoping it’s in front of me.”

TRAINER’S ROOM

Forward Josh Sargent has right ankle soreness after a challenge late in the second half against Iran.

OLD FRIENDS

A Dutch reporter reminded Pulisic that before he signed with Borussia Dortmund in 2015 at age 16, he trained at PSV Eindhoven with Cody Gakpo, a forward on the Netherlands national team who has scored three goals at the World Cup.

“Oh, wow. I never put that together,” Pulisic said.

___

AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/world-cup and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Pulisic scored the 38th-minute winning goal against Iran, but crashed into Iranian goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand during the same play. The Chelsea striker was substituted at the start of the second half and taken to a hospital for tests.

The U.S. Soccer Federation said Pulisic was diagnosed with a pelvic contusion and returned to the team hotel.

A video posted later on social media by the U.S. team showed Pulisic celebrating with the rest of the squad as they arrived at the team hotel.

The U.S. Soccer Federation did not make Pulisic available to media on Wednesday but posted a video of him dribbling a ball.

___

AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/world-cup and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

However, after 99 grueling minutes of action including nine minutes of stoppage time in Doha, Qatar, all that mattered was the result: USA 1, Iran 0. A gutsy defensive effort was needed to secure the win, but for the first time since 2014 the Americans will head to the knockout stage, having finished second in the group with five points. England topped it with seven.

Christian Pulisic’s goal in the 38th minute was the difference. He crashed the box and got on the end of a cross from defender Sergiño Dest.

The U.S. is set to square off against the Netherlands in the Round of 16 at 8 a.m. MT Saturday on FOX.

Here are three takeaways from the U.S. win.

Tenacity takes center stage

The questions surrounding this team have been endless. Two things were undoubtedly true entering the tournament: How young they were (the second-youngest team in Qatar), but also, how talented they were. But the intangibles — grit, spirit and tenacity? Those were hallmarks of older World Cup teams and why the U.S. often punched above its weight.

Tuesday, this young team proved they had those same qualities needed to advance, too.

With nine minutes of stoppage time for the defense to hold out, USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter went with five defensive players at the back line, sensing Iran was on the front foot. He brought on Walker Zimmerman, a surprise off the bench who had a clearance off-the-line late on, while debutant Cameron Carter-Vickers looked steady along with 35-year-old Tim Ream, who shined again. At the end of the full-time whistle, the Americans collapsed to the pitch exhausted.

Next up, the Dutch

Looking at the bigger picture, while it was masterful defending, Berhalter and his staff knows his team will have to be better in the final third. The U.S. created 12 shots, five of which were on target but if it weren’t for Pulisic crashing the box, it might have been different. The U.S. peppered Iran with chances in the first half, a similar story against England and Wales. However, fans don’t have to be statisticians to know that two goals in three games isn’t good enough.

Hope rings again

Now that the drama of the group stage is over, it presents the U.S. coaches and players with a phrase often echoed in March, not early December: Why not us?

In this case, it’s: Why not the U.S.?

The U.S. has not reached the quarterfinals since 2002 and were eliminated in its two previous Round of 16 games (losses to Ghana and Belgium, both of which were after extra time). Seeing how they suffered Tuesday to get a result was significant, but the knockout stage, with everything on the line, will test the group in ways not yet known.

For a game that soccer fans across the country had circled on the calendar since the 2022 FIFA World Cup draw was made in April, the third iteration of a USA-England World Cup bout ended scoreless Friday at Al Bayt Stadium in Qatar. The Americans hit England on the counterattack and had large stretches of sustained possession. Even with 10 shots, the U.S. ultimately could not find the back of the net as the second Group B game finished level at 0-0.

With the result, it creates a logjam between four teams — England, Wales, the U.S. and Iran — for the group’s two berths into the knockout stage. The U.S. has still not lost to England in three World cup games (a shocking win in 1950, and now ties in 2010, 2022).

Here are three takeaways from a breathless second game.

Final touch lacked for U.S.

The Americans more than held their own. For a young group lining up against an experienced England team, the first-game jitters seen against Wales evaporated. It resulted in fearless counterattacks in which Weston McKennie, Christian Pulisic, Yunus Musah and Timothy Weah bombed forward.

The U.S. had plenty of good looks on net in the first half, as Pulisic hit the crossbar in the 33rd minute, while McKennie had a shot he probably wishes he could have had back seven minutes earlier in the 26th. McKennie found himself open at the penalty spot but rushed his shot as he leaned back and it sailed over.

It was a consistent theme in the second half, as the USMNT found pockets of space through creative, interweaving runs and passing, but the final shot was never there. While it was disappointing not to see the final product, the U.S. made England’s defense look vulnerable.

Back four look sturdy

The U.S. back line was the biggest question mark heading into the World Cup, particularly at center back. But for the second game in a row, it was a case of bend-not-break defending. The partnership between Tim Ream and Walker Zimmerman looked stout again Friday. On the ball, they looked cool, and when asked to stifled England’s well-known attackers in Harry Kane, Buykayo Saka, Raheem Sterling and Jude Bellingham.

Their fullbacks closed quickly and when crosses did get into the box, it was effective communication. With the U.S. crowd at goalkeeper Matt Turner’s back, he was not truly tested, though there were a few nervy chances such as Kane’s glancing header in stoppage time which went wide. If the U.S. can keep that up against Iran, they will get through.

Berhalter opts to sub late

Thinking he could catch England with tired legs, U.S. head coach Gregg Berhalter pushed his starting eleven for 75 minutes until making a change. In the 77th and 83rd minutes reinforcements in the attack arrived as Brenden Aaronson, Giovanni Reyna, Josh Sargent and defender Shaq Moore all came on. It gave a shock to the system, but it was ultimately too little time to make an impact. Even with Gareth Southgate blinking first for substitutes near the hour-mark the Americans stayed composed.

Up next

U.S. fans will have flashbacks to 2010 in South Africa, when the Americans needed a late Landon Donovan goal against Algeria to get out of that group, .

With Iran beating Wales 2-0 earlier Friday, the opportunity at noon against Iran Tuesday on FOX and Telemundo presents nearly an identical scenario: Win and you’re in. England will face neighbors Wales at the same time. Three points is the bare minimum needed, but leaving it all on the field in late November is the expectation.

A victory will get the U.S. into the last 16. Anything less will lead to the Americans being sent home early. The U.S. has gotten out of the group in each of its last two World Cup appearances, 2014 and 2010, due to gutsy performances and plenty of can-do spirit.

With the hype surrounding the England game passed and the Wales result wanting more, it really will come down to 90 minutes of who wants it the most.

https://twitter.com/USMNT/status/1596266750210936835

After 90-plus minutes, the first feeling after the full-time whistle sounded: a stinger. World Cup tension is back. And for better or worse, it was sorely missed.

Leading 1-0 at halftime against Wales Monday at the Al Rayyan Stadium in Qatar, the U.S. conceded a late penalty kick as Welsh talisman Gareth Bale thumped home an emphatic penalty kick and the match finished level at 1-1.

For U.S. fans, it will feel like two points dropped, particularly after the team played well in the first 45 minutes. However, in the second half, Wales’ direct passing proved tough for the U.S. and it controlled the last half hour of the game. Here are three takeaways.

Midfield unable to keep pace

In the first half, the Americans dominated the center of the field and on the wings. With Wales hunkering down, the U.S. was able to build on its attack. Forward Josh Sargent hit the side netting in the ninth minute. The lone American goal scored by Tim Weah in the 35th, came as a result of Yunus Musah finding pockets of space as he started the attack. Christian Pulisic played an inch-perfect pass to Tim Weah, who cut inside from the right wing, took one touch and coolly buried it.

With Weston McKennie and Segiño Dest picking up early yellow cards, the U.S. was never able to maintain being the aggressor. McKennie, in particular, is the invaluable engine for the U.S. on set pieces and his physicality.

That space disappeared in the final 45 minutes as Wales, which was playing in its first World Cup game since 1958, pushed its midfield forward and won the physicality battle. Kieffer Moore, a second-half sub, changed the game as he was able to run at the Americans and helped his teammates remain dangerous on the ball.

With the tables turned, one mistake cost the U.S., as central defender Walker Zimmerman took down Bale with 10 minutes to go on a clear penalty decision. The young Americans looked emotionally and physically drained at full time.

Attack looks dangerous

While the midfield play wilted due to Wales’ pressure, the American attack was consistent all night. They played without fear. The U.S. started on the front foot and players like Weah and Sargent came out firing with aggressive runs off the ball. While Giovanni Reyna could have been a key substitute on the wing, Weah more than held his own. Plus, Christian Pulisic looked ready for the moment as he was a huge catalyst for the U.S. attack and came through with the assist.

While they looked dangerous, from here on it will be about being able to convert chances.

For the optimists

While it feels like two points dropped, history is favorable for the U.S. even with a draw. When the Americans have taken at least a point in the opening group-stage game, they have advanced to the knockout round on four occasions (1994, 2002, 2010 and 2014), and have never advanced when losing their first game (1990, 1998 and 2006).

Starting goalkeeper Matt Turner made a few clutch saves, while the defense looked stout for most of the night. But will 2022 be the same? Up next, the U.S. faces England, which beat Iran 6-2 in its first game Monday. The Americans have never lost to the English in a World Cup, with a tie in 2010 and a famed win in 1950.

Kickoff on Black Friday at noon will be on FOX.

The standings will leave a lot to ponder at the end of the first matchday in Group B, and the pressure is on.

+1 after one.

— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT)

There has never been a representative from Colorado in the program’s previous nine team selections. Until Wednesday.

Ethan Horvath, a 27-year-old goalkeeper born and raised in Highlands Ranch, made the 26-man roster headed to play the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

He joined goalkeepers Matt Turner (Arsenal) and Sean Johnson (New York City FC) to round out the unit. He will head to Qatar as a backup, but all that matters is that he will be on the plane. On Wednesday’s broadcast, he was the first name mentioned in the roster.

Horvath and the 33-year-old Johnson were on the bubble, but got the nod over longtime No. 1 Zack Steffen, who was the surprise player to be left out of the group.

“Ethan is a guy that always responds when his number is called,” USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter told reporters after the announcement on Wednesday. “… He’s a guy that’s Johnny-on-the-spot. If you need him, he’s ready. And I think that’s valuable in a World Cup type of competition.”

Horvath has had a whirlwind of a career, but his recent form for Luton Town in the English Championship, the country’s second division, is what helped get him on the squad. He is currently on loan from Premier League side Nottingham Forest. So far for the Hatters, he has kept eight shutouts this season, five of which have come since the start of October.

He has earned eight caps with the USMNT and notably made a penalty kick save last year in extra time at the Nations League final versus Mexico at Empower Field at Mile High.

Shortly after graduating from Arapahoe High, where he played two seasons of varsity soccer, the Real Colorado club soccer product backed his instincts that he was talented enough to play overseas and moved with his parents, Peter and Deana. He signed with Norwegian side Molde in 2013, where he stayed for four seasons. He then moved to Belgian side Club Brugge until 2021, where he made his UEFA Champions League debut in 2018.

He joined Nottingham Forest ahead of last season and played six times, including as a substitute in the EFL Championship playoff final and helped the team reach the Premier League for the first time since 1999, but was loaned to Luton Town ahead of the 2022 campaign.

Colorado Springs native Sam Vines was in contention for a left back spot, but broke his tibia last Friday. Former Rapids midfielder Kellyn Acosta was named as a defensive midfielder.

The tournament begins Nov. 20 and the final will conclude on Dec. 18. The United States, which is back in the tournament for the first time in eight years after missing the 2018 edition, is hopeful to get out of Group B, with games against Wales (Nov. 21), England (Nov. 25) and Iran (Nov. 29).

All-time, Horvath will be the fourth Colorado native to make a men’s or women’s FIFA World Cup, joining fellow Highlands Ranch native Mallory Pugh, Golden’s Lindsey Horan (2019) and April Heinrichs (1991) for the U.S. Women’s National Team.

U.S. National Team roster

Goalkeepers: Matt Turner, Sean Johnson, Horvath;��Center backs: Cameron Carter-Vickers, Aaron Long, Walker Zimmerman, Tim Ream;�� Full backs: Sergiño Dest, Shaq Moore, Antonee Robinson, Joe Scally, Deandre Yedlin; Defensive Midfielders: Tyler Adams, Kellyn Acosta;�� Central Midfielders: Weston McKennie, Yunus Musah, Brenden Aaronson, Luca de la Torre, Cristian Roldan; Wingers: Christian Pulisic, Giovanni Reyna, Timothy Weah, Jordan Morris; Strikers: Jesús Ferreira, Josh Sargent, Haji Wright.

After a dismal 2-0 loss to Japan on Friday in which the Americans mustered zero shots on goal and had countless defensive turnovers, the USMNT gets one last dress rehearsal prior to the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

It comes in Murcia, Spain, where the U.S. faces Saudi Arabia at noon Tuesday on FS1.

Head coach Gregg Berhalter did not mince words when sharing his thoughts about Friday’s performance and what has to be different Tuesday.

“It was a poor performance from us, we got our butts kicked and we’re not proud of it,” he said. “We think we should have played much better and we didn’t. We want to play better this game and it starts with the collective — us playing together, more cohesive and if we do that, we’ll be fine.”

Between Tuesday and Nov. 9 when the U.S. announces its 26-man World Cup roster, several questions must be answered. The game against Saudi Arabia, which also qualified for the event, can help ease some nerves.

Ricardo Pepi and talisman Christian Pulisic will get the start as the pair look to provide a lethal attacking presence that was nonexistent against Japan. On Friday, fellow forwards Josh Sargent and Jesús Ferreira each played a half but for the most part struggled to get involved in meaningful attacks. Still, Berhalter is backing Pepi to buck the worrying trend, even if his last goal for the U.S. came last October.

“(Pepi) has been great … He has this brightness in his eyes and it’s great to see that,” he said. “I know that it hasn’t been easy for Rico in the last few months, and it’s good to see him have a different demeanor.”

Midfielders will look to provide a bigger spark and better service to the forwards, something that was missing Friday, while the defense has to shore up its mistakes.

A sturdy center back partnership has yet to develop since Walker Zimmerman’s presumptive partner Miles Robinson tore his ACL in May. Players on the bubble will look for a final chance to impress, including Sam Vines left back. The Colorado Springs native played with more confidence in Friday’s second half but is still looking to earn his spot.

In goal, Arsenal’s Matt Turner had a strong performance with several saves, but a position battle is still brewing for the third spot as Highlands Ranch native Ethan Horvath and New York City FC’s Sean Johnson are in contention. Both could play Tuesday.

With the World Cup looming, the team is nearly out of time.

“This is a young team and at this moment, the last camp before a World Cup, there’s stress involved. There’s outside factors that affect performance,” Berhalter said. “We should at least acknowledge that and say that the guys were tense (vs. Japan). It����ap our job as coaches to put them at ease and help them perform.”

Ex-Rapids midfielder backs Vines. USMNT midfielder Kellyn Acosta backed Vines’ abilities Monday. The pair played three seasons together for the Rapids and it was Acosta’s first time training with the 23-year-old since last November.

“It����ap great being back with Sam,” Acosta said. “I mean he’s a great dude off the field and on the field. He has a lot of great qualities and I’ve seen his growth — he’s grown tremendously over the time that we played back at the Rapids. So yeah keeping on with that, he’s been very good and I’m hoping he continues down that path.”

Denied a berth in the 2018 World Cup by a 2-1 defeat to an already-eliminated opponent, U.S. players try not to think about the fact they will qualify for this year’s tournament as long as they don’t lose to Costa Rica by six goals or more in Wednesday night����ap qualifying finale.

“The guys have told us, that have been here and through this path before, that we thought we qualified last World Cup,” midfielder Tyler Adams said Tuesday. “The fans thought we did, as well. But we hadn’t when we realized our game was finished and we lost.”

Just four players remain from the American roster that left tears on the field on Couva: Christian Pulisic, DeAndre Yedlin, Kellyn Acosta and Paul Arriola.

“I know this and Christian, too, better than anyone: It����ap not over until it����ap over. We can’t be too complacent. We can’t be too relaxed. We’ve still got a job to do,” Yedlin said. “Obviously, we’re in a good situation and we know that. but I think going into the Trinidad game, we thought we were in a good situation, as well.”

Canada (28 points) has clinched one of the three automatic berths from North and Central America and the Caribbean, the U.S. (25) is second ahead of Mexico on goal difference and Costa Rica (22) is fourth. Because the Americans have a plus-13 goal difference and Costa Rica is at plus-three, the U.S. could be denied only by a defeat of at least six goals.

“The media has classified us as the golden generation and the generation that����ap going to qualify for the next World Cup,” 22-year-old winger Tim Weah said. “We do carry a lot of that weight on our shoulders, and qualifying for the World Cup, it����ap not only for us, it����ap for the group before, it����ap for the Clints (Dempsey), it����ap for DeAndres, for Jozy (Altidore), all the guys that didn’t get to do it again.”

The last time the U.S. lost a competitive match by six goals was in 1957.

“We’re not taking anything for granted,” coach Gregg Berhalter said. “We’re coming here to be aggressive in the game and to win the soccer game. That����ap our intention. We’re not going to be cautious. We’re not going to sit back. We’re not going to play for a tie.”

The U.S. has nine losses and one draw in qualifiers at San Jose, and one victory, two defeats and three draws in road qualifiers in this cycle. Using one of the youngest rosters in international soccer, the Americans began last September with a 0-0 draw at El Salvador and a 1-1 draw at home against Canada, then gained strength over the five qualifying windows.

“It was really lack of experience,” Berhalter said. “We got kicked in the teeth that first round, and that����ap what it was. We were potentially overconfident, not understanding what qualifying was about, and we learned that lesson quickly.”

Pulisic has five of the Americans’ 21 goals, including his first international hat trick in Sunday’s 5-1 home rout of Panama.

“Him growing up as sort of that golden child in the U.S. soccer generation, people put expectations on him. And to be quite frank with you, he’s dealt with them better than anybody would really deal with that,” Adams said. “In every single situation, he’s expected to do things that people like (Lionel) Messi and (Cristiano) Ronaldo are supposed to do.”

Right back Reggie Cannon rejoined the team after recovering from COVID-19. Gio Reyna is still not 90-minute ready while he is among 30 players and staff recovering from a stomach bug that started among the group last week in Mexico. Berhalter also revealed the hamstring injury that sidelined Reyna from September until February included nerve issues that were solved.

If the U.S. qualifies, Berhalter has little time to prepare for Friday’s draw, where the Americans would be in pot two. The match ends about 9 p.m. local time, and he and staff have plans to catch an 11:54 p.m. flight to New York and a connection to Doha, Qatar. Coaches and players usually try not to think ahead of a game but Berhalter was forced to.

“I got over that weeks ago, because I know that����ap a necessary evil of what we’re trying to accomplish,” Berhalter said. “They want us there at the draw, so it����ap going to be important that if we qualify, we’re there. So we have to make these arrangements.”

Twenty-seven of the 44 players on U.S. qualifying rosters are with the team. and Berhalter planned to contact those not in Costa Rica to congratulate them.

Players prepared to celebrate at National Stadium, at least in one respect. They have a new JBL Boombox 2, a waterproof portable Bluetooth speaker purchased by team administrator Sam Zapatka. Weah is the DJ.

“Since I’ve been with the national team, we’ve had this tiny little Bose speaker, and every camp we talk about we need to get a new speaker, we need to get new speakers,” Yedlin said. “I don’t know why it took eight years or however long it took, but finally, we got a nice speaker that we can play, so we’re pretty excited about it.”

Notes: Costa Rica is guaranteed no worse than a June playoff against the Oceania champion, likely New Zealand, and nine Ticos carry yellow cards: Bryan Ruiz, Celso Borges, Joel Campbell, Francisco Calvo, Bryan Oviedo, Johan Venegas, Keysher Fuller, Jewison Bennette and Alonso Martínez. Coach Luis Fernando Suárez said Sunday he may not risk some of them getting suspended for a playoff. … Canada’s Drew Fischer will be the referee.