The United States closed out the group stage of Gold Cup play in emphatic fashion with a 6-0 victory over Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday to win Group A. The USMNT needed to maintain their advantage in the goal differential department over Jamaica to win the group and left no doubt. Jesus Ferreira score a hat trick in the first half to become the first USMNT player ever to record back-to-back hat tricks, scoring his sixth goal during group stage play. Cade Cowell also netted his first senior national team goal and Gianluca Busio scored as well.
The defense left some holes as Jalen Neal's age showed in the match, but the post and Matt Turner did more than enough to secure the clean sheet and the victory in the match. With injuries to Jordan Morris and Alan Sonora along with Aidan Morris needing to miss the match due to personal reasons, B.J. Callaghan was left with a short bench but it didn't matter due to the team being on the front foot during the entire match.
DeJuan Jones at left back was excellent assisting Ferreira and creating another goal in the match but the midfield shined creating chances and maintaining possession with ease. With his hat trick, Ferreira has now scored 12 goals for the national team in only 21 matches played. While 10 of those goals have come against Caribbean nations, Ferreira can only play the teams in front of him and shooting with confidence is something that he needs to do more of.
We know what Ferreira can do as a creator, but during this tournament, if he can continue to take his attacking chances well, it will go a long way to making sure that the USMNT can win a second consecutive Gold Cup title.
Behind a Jesus Ferreira hat trick, the USMNT have finished atop Group A meaning that they'll face the second placed finisher of Group D. Currently that would be Guatemala but depending on how things break, that may be Canada as the Canucks aren't set to make it out of the group stage after consecutive draws to open the tournament.
Brandon Vazquez gets his second Gold Cup goal as the USMNT are having fun out there.
Gianluca Busio scores the fifth goal for the USMNT and that one should be just enough to secure the group.
They've scored their fifth goal against Saint Kitts and Nevis meaning that two more goals will lead to tie atop the group on goal difference.
Cade Cowell gets his first Gold Cup goal after a misplayed backpass from Trinidad saw the ball passed to his feet. After making their keeper and final defender miss with his dribbling, it ended with Cowell finishing into the back of an empty net.
Cade Cowell and Julian Gressel have entered for Alex Zendejas and Cristian Roldan. Trinidad followed up by almost scoring a goal to remind the USMNT that they have to focus in the match.
The United States are pushing the pace right out of the gate and almost won yet another penalty to kick off the second half. Trinidad are overmatched so far and it's only a matter of time until more goals flow.
From the penalty spot, Ferreira completes his first half hat trick and the USMNT will head into the half in the best way possible with the game more than decided. Ferreira has now registered back to back hat tricks for the national team as he has dominated Gold Cup play.
Here we go, it was a goal that included a bit of chaos but through continuous attacking, Ferrerira was able to grab his second goal. Both were created b Jones and Ferreira only needs one more goal to score consecutive hat tricks for the USMNT.
Levi Garcia worked into space to test Matt Turner but it ended up being an easy save.
The USMNT have been getting into the attacking third with ease but Trinidad's defense has been there when needed to stop more goals from hitting the back of the net. It feels like only a matter of time until more goals are scored in the match, especially since Trinidad's attack hasn't created a real chance yet.
There's Jesus Ferreira as the USMNT are off to the races. An excellent finish from him capping off the pass from DeJuan Jones.
Time to score some goals in the match. The USMNT are starting the match quickly but it will take prodding to break Trinidad down.
It's quite an attacking lineup from B.J. Callaghan as the USMNT looks to run up the score. Aidan Morris hasn't dressed for the match due to a personal matter.
USMNT Starting XI vs. Trinidad and Tobago: 1-Matt Turner (capt.), 5-Bryan Reynolds, 6-Gianluca Busio, 8-James Sands, 9-Jesús Ferreira, 10-Cristian Roldan, 12-Miles Robinson, 14-Djordje Mihailovic, 15-DeJuan Jones, 17-Alex Zendejas, 20-Jalen Neal
Substitutes: 18-Sean Johnson, 23-Gaga Slonina, 2-DeAndre Yedlin, 3-Aaron Long, 4-Matt Miazga, 7-Alan Soñora, 11-C
A driven United States side will run up the score yet again to ensure that they capture the Group A title and hopefully avoid meeting Mexico until the tournament final. Pick: United States 5, Trinidad and Tobago 0
A team that has been on a good run as of late, Trinidad can score plenty of goals if given the chance. Prior to playing Jamaica, the Soca Warriors had outscored their opposition 11-2 during a seven match undefeated run this year. With plenty of attacking talent, this is another team that the USMNT needs to be careful against on the break.
With each game, Jalen Neal's performances for the national team in defense have improved. Expected to get the start for a second consecutive game, his calmness in possession has been welcome in the build up as the USMNT push the pace to search for goals. Jordan Morris could still miss this match but with the depth available to him, Callaghan can continue to rotate to keep the squad fresh.
With Jesus Ferreria starting the first two matches of the group stage, this could be a chance for Brandon Vazquez to get the nod at striker but Ferreira is also coming off a hat trick so Callaghan could ride the hot hand. In midfield, Djordje Mihailovic will be the player to watch after registering four goal contributions versus Saint Kitts and Nevis. Mihailovic's growth since joining AZ Alkmaar is showing and he could be one of the keys for the USMNT to win the tournament.
Tonight's the night where the winner of Group A will be determined as the USMNT faces Trinidad and Tobago. While the USMNT are expected to defeat the Soca Warriors, just winning may not be enough after drawing the first match of group stage play with Jamaica. If Jamaica overturns the United States' goal difference advantage, it could see the Reggae Boyz win the group. But the goal is simple, defeat Trinidad and score as much as possible, if those things happen, everything else will work out.
