Gonzalez and Lichaj Become Third Pair of U.S. MNT Defenders to Score in Same Match

Two defenders scoring in the same game? It’s certainly not unheard of, but it’s still pretty rare, especially at the international level.

It happened for the U.S. MNT in its 2-0 Gold Cup Quarterfinal victory against El Salvador on Tuesday night. Center back Omar Gonzalez recorded his second goal in as many matches in the 41st minute before Eric Lichaj hit home his first international strike in the second minute of first-half stoppage time.

The duo’s scoring exploits marked just the third time in the Modern Era (1990-present) that the MNT has had two defenders score in the same match. It was the second occurrence in the last two years, and first time it happened in official competition.

Here’s a rundown of the three instances:

Two U.S. MNT Defenders Scoring in the Same Game

Date

Result

U.S. Defenders

Competition

March 26, 2008

3-0 W at Poland

Onyewu, Bocanegra

Friendly

Jan. 31, 2016

3-2 W vs. Iceland

Orozco, Birnbaum

Friendly

July 19, 2017

2-0 W vs. El Salvador

Gonzalez, Lichaj

2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup Quarterfinal