Short takes

• The legend of Christian Pulisic continues to grow. The 18-year-old scored both goals in the United States' World Cup qualifying victory over Trinidad and Tobago and was by all accounts the standout performer. Postgame, he predicted the U.S. would defeat Mexico in Mexico City on Sunday. If he can fulfill that prediction, he might earn status as a living American legend before he's even out of his teen years.

• No matter what happens in Mexico, the U.S. is on course for World Cup qualification. The team won't be lower than fourth out of six in the CONCACAF standings. The top three qualify automatically, with fourth place going to a playoff. After this weekend, the U.S. has four winnable matches this fall. Only a true collapse would see the Americans fail to qualify.

• Manchester United released striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, mostly because an ACL tear in one of his knees will keep him out until at least next January. Ibrahimovic, the most confident man in the world, is on the wrong side of 35, yet he scored 28 goals in his one partial season in Manchester. If there's any striker who deserves a look from elite teams in the world, it's Zlatan.