USMNT vs. Trinidad and Tobago score: USA soccer start Gold Cup with much-needed statement performance

The attacking woes weren't there, and the American defense held Trinidad and Tobago scoreless

The United States men's national team broke out of their rut in a big way, defeating Trinidad and Tobago 5-0 to kick off the group stage of the Concacaf Gold Cup on Sunday. A brace from Malik Tillman and a brace of assists from Diego Luna were enough for the USMNT to break their four-game losing streak, while Brenden Aaronson added his first goal for the USMNT since 2023. 

Haji Wright also added a goal off the bench in what a was a true team effort for the USMNT. Tillman's goals were also his first for the USMNT, an important moment for a dual-national recruit who has yet to show what he can do for the national team despite his strong play for PSV.

Kicking off the Gold Cup, the USMNT took more than 20 shots and couldn't have started this off in stronger fashion. With an eye on winning the tournament, the USMNT will need to continue this pace facing Saudi Arabia and Haiti in order to make sure that they win Group D. After failing to show up in friendlies in the lead up to Gold Cup play, Pochettino has gotten an important response from his squad and now it's about keeping that momentum going. 

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A good win but don't get carried away

It may be tough to make sweeping conclusions from defeating Trinidad and Tobago, who are the 100th-ranked FIFA men's side, but when the USMNT have struggled no matter who they've faced recently, it's a positive moment. They tuned out the noise off the pitch about Christian Pulisic opting to stay home from the Gold Cup and withstood missing players like Weston McKennie and Tim Weah being with their clubs for the FIFA Club World Cup. 

All that the USMNT can do is defeat the teams who are in front of them, and wins like this will give members of the squad a good chance at securing their own spots at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on home soil. The Gold Cup has long been a proving ground for USMNT players to make the World Cup, and with this being Pochettino's longest time with the squad in a competitive camp, players from this Gold Cup will break through. The matches will get tougher with 58th-ranked Saudi Arabia up next, and that's when we'll begin to see if this win is turning off a new leaf or just a blip.

What's next?

After a strong start to the group stage by scoring five goals, the USMNT will continue Gold Cup play by facing Saudi Arabia on Thursday, June 19. That match will take place at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas, before closing out the group stage facing Haiti on Sunday, June 22 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. If the USMNT takes care of business defeating Saudi Arabia, the group could be decided before Sunday, giving Pochettino a chance to rotate his squad.

[Jun 15, 2025 at 8:01 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Job done 

The four game losing streak is over, and the USMNT have scored five goals to break it. It was a true team effort led by Timothy Tillman and Diego Luna. Facing Trinidad and Tobago at home, a win was expected but recently, the USMNT hasn't gotten the results that they would be expected to get so this is something that could provide confidence moving forward as the USMNT look to make quick work of the group stage of the Gold Cup.

[Jun 15, 2025 at 7:50 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

GOAL! USMNT 5, Trinidad and Tobago 0

This is why you make the subs. This time it's Haji Wright who finds the back of the net and the USMNT is continuing to roll in this one. Six minutes remain, at this stage, that could lead to more goals.

[Jun 15, 2025 at 7:48 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

GOAL! USMNT 4, Trinidad and Tobago 0

It's Brenden Aaronson as Pochettino's subs pay off. He needed that one as he hasn't been very involved under the Argentine manager. It arguably should've been saved, but with how much pressure the USMNT has applied in the match, these will go in.

[Jun 15, 2025 at 7:40 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

A line change for the USMNT

Jack McGlynn, Diego Luna and Patrick Agyemang will exit with Brenden Aaronson, Mark McKenzie and Haji Wright coming in. While the USMNT will look for more goals, this is also addressing that Trinidad and Tobago have created some chances in the second half.

[Jun 15, 2025 at 7:31 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Luna lets fly from distance

Again, the USMNT is creating chances when they want but it wasn't enough to get a goal. Subs are beginning to gear ready as Pochettino looks to freshen things after Trinidad and Tobago have created some chances.

[Jun 15, 2025 at 7:21 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

All USMNT in the second half

It feels like a matter of time until there's another goal. The USMNT has taken three more shots, putting two on target and Phillip is getting a workout in the Trinidad & Tobago net. With spots to win in the World Cup squad, they'll want to tighten up and ensure a strong finish. 

[Jun 15, 2025 at 7:12 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Pushing for more

The USMNT is back out, and Arfsten has a shot on target, no changes were made at the half for the USMNT as they'll need all the goals to put these last few matches behind them.

[Jun 15, 2025 at 7:00 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

That was a fun half

The USMNT has taken 13 shots, putting six on target and scoring three goals. Trinidad and Tobago have created their own problems during the clash but they all count the same. It's also good to see that the USMNT has held the opposition without a shot in the first half. Malik Tillman can get the first hat trick of his career, entering the half on a brace and this is a good start.

[Jun 15, 2025 at 6:52 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

GOAL! USMNT 3, Trinidad and Tobago 0

Blink and you may miss a goal, talk about finishing off a half strong as Diego Luna scores but it may go down as a Patrik Agyemang goal. Doesn't matter who, as it's a goal for the USMNT all the way.

[Jun 15, 2025 at 6:49 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

GOAL! USMNT 2, Trinidad & Tobago 0

There it is! The USMNT needed that one as they took advantage of a bad giveaway for Malik Tillman to net a first half brace. This one could be out of sight soon which is exactly how you want to kick off the Gold Cup.

[Jun 15, 2025 at 6:35 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Luna's gotta hit that

The pressure is building from the USMNT as Luna has a one on one with the keeper but was unable to put his shot in the back of the net. Still a good start for the USMNT but they'll want to add more goals. 

[Jun 15, 2025 at 6:25 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

GOAL! USMNT 1, Trinidad & Tobago 0

It's Malik Tillman with the opening goal in this match after Jack McGlynn is able to find him. You can feel the release of pressure on the team after that goal went in. Now they'll need to add more to their tally.

[Jun 15, 2025 at 6:20 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

So, so close

Agyemang had another great chance to put the USMNT ahead before the 15th minute, but his header went straight into the ground. He'll want that one back.

[Jun 15, 2025 at 6:13 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Looking to break down the low block

The USMNT will need to be crisp in possession to break down Trinidad and Tobago's defense. Patrick Agyemang has already had a big chance but dragged it wide. There will be more where that came from. 

[Jun 15, 2025 at 6:07 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

USMNT 0, Trinidad and Tobago 0 (1H)

[Jun 15, 2025 at 6:04 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Time to get underway

The anthems have played, and it's time for soccer in San Jose.

[Jun 15, 2025 at 5:48 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Prediction

It won't be a pretty match, but when the United States face Trinidad and Tobago at home, they usually take care of business. Behind a balanced attack that will keep the pressure on, that will continue to be the case as the USMNT kick off the Gold Cup on the right foot before matches begin to get harder down the line. Pick: USMNT 3, Trinidad & Tobago 0

[Jun 15, 2025 at 5:38 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Player to watch

Patrick Agyemang, USMNT: One of the only members of the USMNT to score multiple goals in 2024, this match is a critical one for the Charlotte FC man. The race to be the starting No. 9 at the 2026 World Cup is wide open, and if Agyemang can break the USMNT out of their slump by scoring, it would go a long way to securing his own place in that squad. The Gold Cup is an important proving ground for the World Cup, and players like Agyemang and Jack McGlynn will look to use it to push forward.

[Jun 15, 2025 at 5:37 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

USMNT lineup

Matt Turner is benched heading into this one. The attack is as expected but all eyes will be on them as the USMNT needs to get out of the blocks quickly.

USMNT: Matt Freese, Max Arfsten, Tim Ream, Chris Richards, Alex Freeman, Luca De La Torre, Sebastian Berhalter, Diego Luna, Jack McGlynn, Malik Tillman, Patrick Agyemang

[Jun 15, 2025 at 5:28 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

How to watch USMNT vs. Trinidad and Tobago, odds

• Date: Sunday, June 15 | Time: 6 p.m. ET
• Location: PayPal Park -- San Jose, California
• TV: FOX | Live stream: Fubo (Try for free)
• Odds: USMNT -900; Draw +650; Trinidad & Tobago +2200

[Jun 15, 2025 at 5:28 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Hello and welcome

Gold Cup play is here for the USMNT, and Mauricio Pochettino will name yet another different XI heading into their first match against Trinidad and Tobago. Expected to win with ease, the USMNT will want to start this match quickly to end their four match losing streak, but without Tyler Adams in the XI, they'll have to rely on Luca De La Torre to keep possession ticking over.