RANDY WALDRUM might well be trying to figure out how to scale Mt Everest without getting killed. But, at least Trinidad and Tobago's American technical director now has a clear view.

Following Sunday's second round of Group A matches in the CONCACAF Women's Under-17 Championship taking place at the Marvin Lee Stadium, Macoya, it is now apparent that the USA have the top team.

The top three in this tournament will qualify for the inaugural FIFA Women's U-17 World Cup, to be held in New Zealand later this year.

The Americans hammered El Salvador 9-0, making the team which gave T&T's Soca Princesses a fight before losing 5-1 last Friday look inept.

In the second game of Sunday's double-header, it took a Herculean defensive effort to earn Trinidad and Tobago a 0-0 draw with the same Costa Ricans who fell 6-0 to the Americans in their opening match.

The scenario is that the USA have six points from two matches and have qualified for the semi-finals, along with Mexico and Canada from Group B, which is being played in Tobago.  Trinidad and Tobago and Costa Rica are battling for the final semi-final spot.

The Soca Princesses are second in Group A on four points, but have the unenviable task of facing the Americans from seven o'clock tonight at the Marvin Lee Stadium, while Costa Rica, with one point, face the group's weak team, El Salvador, who may or may not be competitive.

With the possibility that Costa Rica and Trinidad and Tobago could finish on the same amount of points, coach Waldrum is aware that goal-difference may well decide the final spot.

Costa Rica need to defeat El Salvador handsomely and hope the Americans do the same to the hosts.

Trinidad and Tobago (+4) hold the advantage of a  ten-goal swing with Costa Rica (-6) and Waldrum's task is to ensure that his girls do not get "killed" tonight against the Americans.

"It's a formidable challenge, no doubt about it," Waldrum admitted. "But what we have going for us is that we are working with quite a large goal-differential right now. We need to understand that there are quite a few ways we can advance, so we have to be smart about how we play.

"We are still in it," the American insisted. "I think we still have an opportunity...and a very good opportunity, for this team to advance. I still believe very strongly that this team will advance to the second round."

Trinidad and Tobago went into Sunday's match looking to secure automatic qualification for the semis by beating Costa Rica. But their opponents played with a hunger for victory.

The home team controlled the opening moments, but the Costa Rican midfield took over the game.

Costa Rican coach Juan Diego Quesada said afterwards that his team perfectly executed their plan to shutdown T&T's central midfielders Stephanie Williams and Cassie McKenzie, both of whom were substituted by the half.

With several players not producing their best, it was a great test of character for Trinidad and Tobago to earn the draw.

The Soca Princesses had just one good chance in the match, Karyn Forbes' corner-kick forcing goalkeeper Priscilla Tapia to keep the ball out of the Costa Rican net.

The ball fell nicely to Jessica De Leon, the first T&T player to have a good look, but her shot was blocked by a defender.

 Costa Rica's midfield created plenty chances for their team and Trinidad and Tobago central defender Arin King and 13-year-old goalkeeper Saundra Baron worked overtime to keep the Ticos out.

Twice in the first half, striker Raquel Vasquez got past the T&T defence, but failed to find the net. With her defenders continually stretched,  Baron kept the hosts in the match with a series of saves.

Then when Daniela Cruz collected a cross while free on the back post in the 66th minute, it looked like the end for Trinidad and Tobago. But Baron brought off a wonderful reflex save by deflecting the powerful shot over the bar.

And when Baron did make a mistake and raced out of her area a few minutes later, Costa Rica's Mariela Campos dragged the ball wide of the open net.

Coach Waldrum knew his team had dodged a bullet.

"I thought we were very fortunate at times to come away with a draw. I felt Costa Rica were very good tonight," he said. "They looked a completely different team than they did against the US and we knew they would be because they had a lot to fight for as well."

Now, Trinidad and Tobago have all to play for against the USA this evening.

TEAMS:

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO: 1-Saundra Baron, 2-Taylor Mims, 4-Rhea Belgrave, 5-Arin King, 7-Jessica De Leon, 9-Stephanie Williams (46th, 6-Tiana Bateau), 10-Mariah Shade, 11-Sidonia Hoareau, 13-Natasha Prentice (76th, 3-Latifa Kelly), 14-Karyn Forbes, 17-Cassey McKenzie (36th,15-Natasha St Louis)

TD: Randy Waldrum

COSTA RICA: 1-Priscilla Tapia, 4-Maria Barquero, 7-Mariela Campos, 8-Raquel Rodriguez Vasquez (79th, 6-Jazmine Guzman), 10-Katherine Alvarado, 11-Raquel Rodriguez Cedeno, 12-Daniela Cruz, 13-Jacqueline Mata (67th, 16-Krickshia Spence), 15-Adriana Guzman, 17-Yocxelin Rodriguez, 19-Fabiola Sanchez

TD: Juan Diego Quesada