Experience was the story of the game, as Russell Latapy, 40, and Dwight Yorke, 36, scored both goals for Trinidad, while also helping the Soca Warriors hold a U.S. lineup, that averaged less than 24-years-old, to just three shots all evening. After a scoreless first half, Latapy opened the scoring in the 61st minute and then Charlie Davies notched the equalizer with 15 minutes remaining, but Yorke put the Soca Warriors one step closer to advancing to the Final Round when he stepped up and buried the game-winning spot kick.

For the U.S., only four of the 11 starters had more than 10 caps going into the game, while central defender Michael Orozco was making his first career international appearance. Jose Torres, who made his first appearance as a reserve against Cuba just four days earlier, was also making his first career start for the U.S. Men. Meanwhile, for Trinidad & Tobago, Latapy and Yorke played in the infamous match on Nov. 19, 1989, in which Paul Caligiuri scored the goal that gave the U.S. a 1-0 victory and earned a place at the 1990 FIFA World Cup.

The win for Trinidad & Tobago was their first in 14 years against the U.S., and first-ever FIFA World Cup qualifying win in a dozen tries.

“It was a hard fought match. I thought both teams went after each other in a way that made it hard,” said U.S. head coach Bob Bradley after his first loss to a CONCACAF opponent. “In the second half, I thought we had a good response when we went down 1-0, and unfortunately when the game is 1-1 and everything is to play for, we have a foul. Certainly we have a lot of respect for Trinidad & Tobago. They have a lot of talented players, and we knew it was going to be a physical game. It was hard match and a physical match, with intensity on both sides."

Trinidad & Tobago got on the score sheet first in the 61st minute as they attacked the U.S. up the middle before the ball was sent wide right to Carlos Edwards. He dribbled one-on-one vs. Heath Pearce to get into the area before chipping a soft pass back into the center. Latapy backed off his run to create space away from Danny Califf, and hit a first-time shot that hit the post and went off a diving Guzan’s back before going into the net.

The U.S. was able to respond in the 75th minute, as Davies found the back of the net just six minutes after coming into the game. The play started on the right with Altidore laying the ball back to Maurice Edu. Edu’s first touch forward was overcooked, but fortunately went right back to Altidore who was able to turn through the Trinidad & Tobago defense and dribble to the endline, where his low cross was tapped into an open goal by a charging Davies.

Three minutes later, Edwards was dangerous again as Trinidad & Tobago substitute Khaleem Hyland sent a cross from the left that was deftly settled by Edwards beyond the far post before he uncorked a shot that was cleared over the goal by Orzoco. On the ensuing corner, Altidore surrendered a penalty as he grabbed a handful of Makan Hislop’s jersey in plain site of referee Walter Quesada, who pointed to the spot. Yorke converted the game-winner for Trinidad & Tobago.

In the 83rd minute Altidore had the opportunity to redeem the penalty he surrendered. Beasley sent a long free kick to the right side of the area that was headed across goal by Sacha Kljestan and then flicked left again by Davies. Altidore was unmarked at the far post, but hit the header wide from three yards out.

The U.S. team’s seven-game winning streak in qualifiers that dated to 2005 was snapped, as was their perfect run in 2010 qualifying. The loss also snapped a record three-game winning streak in road qualifiers. Pearce, making the start at left back, is now the only U.S. player to appear in all seven FIFA World Cup qualifying matches this cycle.

In the other Group 1 match, Cuba stunned Guatemala 2-1 in Havana, meaning that Trinidad & Tobago holds a three point edge over Guatemala going into the final match day.