What do USMNT need against El Salvador to qualify for Nations League finals?

Under interim head coach Anthony Hudson, the United States enjoyed a near-perfect return to CONCACAF Nations League action on Friday, their thumping of Grenada leaving them in pole position to reach June’s finals.

Pepi, McKennie at the double in Grenada gubbing

Ricardo Pepi and Weston McKennie both scored braces as the USMNT won 7-1 in St George’s, with Brenden Aaronson, Christian Pulisic and Alejandro Zendejas also on target for the visitors.

The victory took the USMNT top of League A Group D, two points clear of El Salvador, who the Stars and Stripes face on Monday night in a showdown for qualification for the last four.

Only the group winners will progress to the finals, which are to be held in Las Vegas.

Gold Cup berth in the bag

The USMNT’s thrashing of Grenada also guaranteed the team’s ticket to the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup, as they can no longer finish lower than second in Group D.

The top two finishers in the Nations League’s four League A groups will all qualify automatically for the Gold Cup, which takes place in the US in June and July.

What result do the USMNT need against El Salvador?

To qualify for the Nations League finals, the USMNT must only avoid defeat when they host El Salvador at Exploria Stadium in Orlando, Florida.

For the Salvadorans, meanwhile, nothing less than all three points will do if they want to leapfrog the Americans and finish top of the group.

Video - Hudson confirms USMNT talks with Balogun: