The USA opened up Gold Cup group play with a convincing 5-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago. Their win snapped a 4 game losing streak in all competitions.
Malik Tillman accounted for the first goals with his strikes in the 16th and 41st minutes with the assists from Jack McGlynn and Diego Luna respectively. Patrick Agyemang added to the tally with his goal off a feed from Luna in the 44th minute giving the USA a comfortable 3-o lead. Brenden Aaronson scored the fourth goal of the match after coming off the bench with his 82nd minute strike, and another substitute completed the score two minutes after–this one from Haji Wright with Max Arfsten assisting on both.
USA goalkeeper Matt Freese provided the clean sheet with 2 saves while facing 3 shots–2 on goal from Trinidad.
Notes: Max Arfsten played for Earthquakes II (now The Town FC) during the 2022 season before being drafted and signing with the Columbus Crew the following year. Manchester United and Trinidad coach Dwight Yorke made an appearance as a member of Aston Villa in their 1997 tour of the United States, playing against the San Jose Clash (Earthquakes).
Next up for the USA is a match against Saudi Arabia at Q2 Stadium in Austin on Thursday June 20 6pm while Trinidad plays Haiti at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston on the same day at 3:45pm. The concluding slate of group play will have the USA play Haiti at AT&T Stadium in the Dallas area while Saudi Arabia and Trinidad duel at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas–both on Sunday June 22 4pm start.
Stay tuned for expanded coverage from the Gold Cup.
