Trinidad and Tobago will have to adopt and play to a certain style if they are to prevent the Americans from taking three points on the road when both nations clash in the Ash Wednesday 2006 World Cup qualifier in Port of Spain.
Phillips worked as a goalkeeper coach with the US Men's Senior National Squad, the Olympic Team and the U-14 Boys National Team and is also a FIFA instructor.
“We have to adopt a style not necessarily for them (USA) alone. We have to understand whether we like it or not that all the teams are better than us but it does not mean that we cannot beat them and come first or second in this six-team group,” Phillips told TTFF Media on Tuesday.
“What we have to do is prepare and play like Denmark and Greece did when they won the European Cups. None of these teams were as good as the usual favourites but their main emphasis was to get extremely fit and win the ball in the attacking third or at least channel it, working as a group with intentions of winning it in the middle of the park and this is what we must follow,” Philips explained.
“The reason for this type of style causing problems is that most teams don’t like when they are pressured. It means reduced time and space and they are then forced to play hurriedly and will not be as effective as if were allowed to play freely. We allow teams to play and that is our biggest problem. I know the coach (Bertille St Clair) has talked about this but it has not transferred onto the pitch as yet.
“If we can play this style of pressuring at all times and winning the ball in the attacking third then our chances of winning against the Americans will increase by 80 percent. USA have scored a lot in the air and they are a set-play country in all sports weather it be basketball, football or soccer. They would probably be looking to get that ball in for (Brian) McBride to head home and they know exactly where to put that ball and how to do it. They are meticulous in spot kicks and they will play for that. Our goalkeeper will need to be dominant when it comes to claiming balls and arranging our plays at the back.
“The Americans have scored against the best in the World but if we can prepare well and work on their weak points while playing to our strengths, then we definitely can get something out of this opening game which will undoubtedly set the pace for the remaining matches,” Phillips added.
The team continues to train and will depart on Friday for British Virgin Islands where they face that country in the Digicel Cup second round match on Sunday. Assistant coach David Nakhid has returned to Lebanon to sort out personal business and will return to rejoin fellow assistant Ron La Forest and head coach Bertille St Clair who was scheduled back from England on Tuesday night.