Trinidad and Tobago's footballers will be aiming to spoil the first home party of the semi-final round for the Americans by grabbing a point or three when they face off in today's 2010 semi-final round World Cup qualifying fixture at Toyota Park, Bridgeview, Chicago from 8 p.m.
Maturana's men have gone unbeaten in their last three World Cup qualifying matches, but Carlos Gallardo's last-minute equaliser on Saturday robbed them of full points against Guatemala and, as striker Cornell Glen put it, they want to make the Americans feel the backlash.
"We expect it will be a tough game because USA are at home and they have enjoyed good results against us, but this is another day and a different game," Glen told Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF) media officer Shaun Fuentes.
"I see no reason why we cannot get a result here. We will respect them, but I think if we can start well and keep up with them for 90 minutes and more then this could be a close one that could go either way. A lot of us feel that it's about time we get a positive result against USA," Glen added after yesterday's morning session, which took place in nippy conditions at De Paul University Ground in downtown Chicago.
Glen will also be wanting to put one over on US head coach Bob Bradley, who was in charge of him at New York/New Jersey Metrostars, who released him.
"Bradley was my coach in my first year in the MLS, but they sent me off. It would be nice to get a good showing here and maybe a goal. Nothing will come easy I can assure you and the rest of the team that. But we are prepared to work hard for it."
With veteran midfielder Dwight Yorke out after a late recall to Sunderland, T&T will also be without the suspended Avery John and Khaleem Hyland, while midfielder Aurtis Whitley and Kenwyne Jones are out with injuries and there is no Stern John nor Chris Birchall.
There is still some experience and strength in the team with in-form Keon Daniel looking for his fourth goal in three matches, Swansea City duo Dennis Lawrence and Jason Scotland, Sunderland's Carlos Edwards and Glen all capable of making an impact. In all World Cup qualifying matches between T&T and USA, the Americans have won eight of ten, with two drawn.
Five players in the current T&T team played in the last meeting against the USA. Densill Theobald was the captain, Jan-Michael Williams was in goal, and Andre Toussaint, Keyeno Thomas and Kerry Baptiste were also in the squad which lost 2-0 in the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup at the Home Depot Center, California.
Former T&T goalkeeper Shaka Hislop, who will do commentary of the game for ESPN, met up with the team during yesterday's training at the match venue.
"The team is certainly playing with more confidence than they were a month and a half ago," said Hislop. "Maturana has shown that he's willing to make big decisions, and the team is playing better for it. [T&T] have a lot of young players who are very creative, but who also play with a confidence that quite frankly is a little bit alarming. I am hoping for a good, competitive game."
Maturana, who will remember Colombia's shock 2-1 loss to the hosts at the 1994 World Cup, is an optimist and will be looking to see his players rise to the call. He also has 20 injury-free players to call upon.
"This game will be a challenge but all games are. We do not back down at anytime. Our team is prepared and hopefully we can put all the details together to play the game as we need to," he said. Wednesday's game will be aired live on CNMG Channel 6 and Radio105FM and I95.5FM. It is also live on ESPN2 and Galavision.
Teams:
T&T: Marvin Phillips, Jan Michael Williams, Makan Hislop, Dennis Lawrence, Cyd Gray, Julius James, Keyeno Thomas, Aklie Edwards, Osei Telesford, Carlos Edwards, Anthony Wolfe, Densill Theobald, Keon Daniel, Clyde Leon, Kerry Baptiste, Andre Toussaint, Jason Scotland, Cornell Glen, Akeil Guevera, Gyasi Joyce
USA: Brad Guzan, Tim Howard, Carlos Bocanegra, Danny Califf, Steve Cherundolo, Frankie Hejduk, Oguchi Onyewu, Michael Orozco, Heath Pearce, Marvell Wynne, DaMarcus Beasley, Michael Bradley, Ricardo Clarke, Maurice Edu, Sacha Kljestan, Eddie Lewis, Brian Ching, Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey, Eddie Johnson.