Panama set the tone early for the Gold Cup Group B nightcap in Cleveland. Beating Martinique 3-0 put Panama on top of the group with one game to be played. The U.S. Men’s National Team, needing a 3 goal differential win, had a surprising starting XI.
The USMNT has had an odd tournament with their young players. Thanks to Brad Guzan they drew against Panama, which could have easily been a two goal loss. Then a 3-2 victory in Tampa against a very beatable Martinique team. It’s already been announced Michael Bradley and Jozy Altidore will join the team after group play, so we will have to wait and see how that plays out.
Brad Guzan got the night off, and it was Bill Hamid getting the call against Nicaragua. Bruce Arena’s squad was littered with changes again, as been the story all tournament. He wants the younger guys to playing time, and this is the only way he can do it. Needing three goals, it was a bit odd seeing Dom Dwyer as the only striker out on attack for the USMNT.
Nicaragua, has had a very poor gold up showing. They were 0-2-0 coming into tonight, with a 1-4 goal diferential. Things were expected to be chippy, and that is exactly what it was. The one striker led US went out on the attack early, pushing the tempo, and combating the physicality of Nicaragua.
The USMNT was able to push back against the feisty Nicaraguans. This led to their ability to control the tempo, and also how physical they could be. At one point Graham Zusi was stiff-armed across the face. With all that going on, it let players like Alejandro Bedoya, open up the field, with most notably his entry passes.
Joe Corona’s Goal
Bedoya was able to find Joe Corona for his first USMNT goal since 2013. Corona was able to dance past 3 defenders, before slowly beating Justo Lorente. Give Lorente plenty of credit in last night’s game.
The USMNT closed out the first half the way they started, fast tempo and controlling possession. They came out firing in the second half. Dwyer was pulled down in the box, and that opened the door for a US penalty. Lorente was on his A-game and denied Dwyer diving to his right. A couple minutes later, Bedoya was making plays again, this time finding Kelyn Rowe for his first USMNT goal.
Kelyn Rowe’s Goal
Rowe’s goal put the US one goal away, from the 3 they needed to lead the group. The US got another shot at a penalty after a Nicaraguan player couldn’t get out of the way in the box, which led to a handball penalty. This time Joe Corona stepped up, but was denied just like the first time by Lorente.
Needing one more goal the USMNT tried and tried to get the necessary goal. Nicaragua only managed 6 shots, with their best chance coming in the 73rd minute, but Bill Hamid made a diving save to keep his clean sheet.
Luis Copete picked up this second yellow in the 85th minute, opening the door for the USMNT to play a man up for the final 5 minutes.
Matt Miazga’s Goal, Clincher of Gold Cup Group B
After a foul by Nicaragua, the USMNT finally got their chance in the 88th minute. Graham Zusi was on the ball to take the set piece about 10 yards from the box. He made a beautiful chip into the box, and found Matt Miazga’s head, who was able to beat Lorenee for the much needed third goal.
As the clock expired the USMNT finished 3-0, and that was enough for them to clinch the top spot in Group B. More importantly the avoided playing the tough team from Costa Rica.
Overall the US dominated the game from top to bottom. They’ll find out who they play between Honduras, and El Salvador after the results Sunday. In what should be a winnable Quarterfinal game in Philadelphia Wednesday, they’ll head to Dallas Saturday to face more than likely Costa Rica.
After the game, USMNT manager said they would use all 6 substitutions allowed in the Gold Cup knockout stage. He praised Bedoya’s play, “Bedoya played very well. Unfortunately he will not be on the next roster, he’s going to be a dad next week.” Arena also was very upbeat after the game, “We played very well tonight, we knew the number needed to finish atop the group, and we were able to do that tonight.”
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