The United States is set to defend their title as CONCACAF Nations League champions when they host El Salvador at Estadio Cuscatlan on Wednesday, with kickoff at 5 am.
Though considered outsiders for group victory behind their next opponents, El Salvador led the table thanks to a win and a draw in consecutive fixtures with Grenada, who had been promoted from League B to face them.
Having won their League B group during the 2019-21 CONCACAF Nations League, the Caribbean team were brushed aside at the start of the current campaign, with El Salvador claiming a 3-1 home victory on an opening day.
Last Wednesday, though, Los Cuscatlecos were held to a 2-2 draw by Grenada in St. George’s and were reliant on substitute Cristian Gil’s late equaliser to save their blushes at the Kirani James National Stadium.
The U.S. men’s national team sealed their spot at this winter’s World Cup finals in Russia last month, where they have been drawn into Group B alongside Wales, Iran and Euro 2020-finalists England.
After kicking off this month’s international window with a 3-0 victory over Morocco, the USMNT extended their unbeaten streak on American soil to 25 games with a goalless draw against Uruguay. They then continued that run to a 26th game: easing to a 5-0 win over Grenada in their first Nations League fixture as reigning champions.
El Salvador vs USA Match Analysis and Prediction
Both sides have nine games against each other, with hosts winless while visitors with seven wins. Here is a look at their previous encounters:
Home
- Granada 2-2 El Salvador
- El Salvador 3-1 Granada
- Mexico 2-0 El Salvador
- El Salvador 1-2 Costa Rica
Away
- USA 5-0 Granada
- USA 0-0 Uruguay
- Morocco 0-3 the USA
- Costa Rica 2-0 USA
El Salvador Team News
In his pre-match press conference, El Salvador coach Hugo Perez hinted that he would change the starting lineup for Friday’s game against Grenada. Of the original 27-man squad, 16 play in El Salvador, and six play for clubs in the United States, including midfielder Darwin Ceren of Houston Dynamo, who has 86 caps for the hosts.
USA Team News
On Wednesday, coach Gregg Berhalter will name a squad of 16 Europe-based players and 10 from MLS. Midfield dynamo Weston McKennie returned to the team last week after suffering a broken foot at Juventus in February.
Prediction and Odds
As time runs out before the World Cup and they have yet to impress their coach, the visitors will be motivated too, so they can score at least once to secure victory.
- USA Win
- Goals Under 2.5
- No Score: Home
