The United States men’s national team got a much-needed boost of confidence as they started their Concacaf Gold Cup campaign with a dominant win over Trinidad and Tobago at PayPal Park in San Jose, California, on Sunday.
It was a very Happy Father’s Day present as the team snapped their four-game losing streak following a myriad of concerns over whether the team was ready to compete for the regional tournament.
Controversy surrounded the Americans heading into the tournament as several notable players opted to “sit this one out” to rest their bodies after a gruelling European season. The controversy has peaked in recent weeks with formidable former internationals Landon Donovan and Tim Howard calling out the likes of Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie.
Compounded by a brutal losing streak, it’s needless to say that U.S. head coach Mauricio Pochettino needed this win. He employed his trusted 4-2-3-1 formation, with an MLS-heavy starting lineup.
The U.S. was on the attack from the start as Agyemang came close on a pair of chances. However, Malik Tillman finally grabbed their first in the 16th minute. Jack McGlynn‘s cross from the right side of the 18-yard box found the PSV man at the far post to put his half-volley into the back of the net.
The attacks kept coming and Tillman was rewarded with his second of the game in the 41st minute. Diego Luna dribbled the ball down the left side and centered it into the path of the German-born midfielder to redirect the ball from the edge of the six-yard box.
The Americans made it 3-0 just before halftime when Luna appeared to have put a shot on target for the goal. That was corrected later when replays showed that the ball took a deflection off Agyemang to send the team to the locker room with some confidence they had missed for some time.
The second half would see more attacking from the hosts and the Soca Warriors giving themselves a couple of chances to get back in the game.
After a long stretch, the U.S. added to their tally in the 82nd minute when Brendan Aaronson made a threatening dribble into the area, cut to his right, and beat T and T goalkeeper Marvin Phillip at his near post. Haji Wright would add the team’s fifth shortly afterwards.
The Americans will next face Saudi Arabia on Thursday at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas.
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