U.S. Men’s National Team Continues 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup Group Play On June 22 Against Trinidad & Tobago

Match Preview

U.S. MNT Takes on Soca Warriors with an Eye Towards Advancing to the Knockout Phase;

Kickoff from FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland is set for 8 p.m. ET on FS1, Univision, UDN and the Futbol de Primera Radio Networks



CHICAGO (June 20, 2019) – Following a comprehensive 4-0 win against Guyana to open 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup group play, the U.S. Men’s National Team now sets its sights on Saturday’s match against Trinidad & Tobago. The first meeting between the teams since October 2017 takes place in Cleveland, Ohio, with coverage from FirstEnergy Stadium beginning at 8 p.m. ET on FS1, Univision, UDN and the Futbol de Primera radio networks.  
Fans can follow all the matches on U.S. Soccer's official Facebook, Twitter (@USMNT) and Instagram (@USMNT) accounts.

U.S. ROSTER BY POSITION (Club; Caps/Goals):

GOALKEEPERS (3): 12-Sean Johnson (New York City FC; 7/0), 22-Tyler Miller (LAFC; 0/0), 1-Zack Steffen (Manchester City/ENG; 11/0)
 
DEFENDERS (8): 14-Reggie Cannon (FC Dallas; 2/0), 3-Omar Gonzalez (Toronto FC/CAN; 50/3), 2-Nick Lima (San Jose Earthquakes; 5/0), 23-Aaron Long (New York Red Bulls; 7/0), 16-Daniel Lovitz (Montreal Impact/CAN; 5/0), 19-Matt Miazga (Chelsea/ENG; 14/1), 13-Tim Ream (Fulham/ENG; 31/1), 5-Walker Zimmerman (LAFC; 8/2)
 
MIDFIELDERS (6): 4-Michael Bradley (Toronto FC/CAN; 146/17), 8-Weston McKennie (Schalke/GER; 10/1), 20-Djordje Mihailovic (Chicago Fire; 4/1), 10-Christian Pulisic (Chelsea/ENG; 26/10), 15-Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders FC; 12/0), 6-Wil Trapp (Columbus Crew SC; 18/0)
 
FORWARDS (6): 17-Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC/CAN; 111/41), 7-Paul Arriola (D.C. United; 24/4), 21-Tyler Boyd (Vitória Guimãres/POR; 2/2), 18-Jonathan Lewis (Colorado Rapids; 4/0), 11-Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders FC; 28/5), 9-Gyasi Zardes (Columbus Crew SC; 46/8)

BOYD MAKES HISTORY IN 4-0 WIN AGAINST GUYANA IN GOLD CUP OPENER

In front of a sellout crowd of 19,418 fans at Allianz Field, the U.S. Men's National Team opened its 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup campaign witha 4-0 win against Guyana. Paul Arriola and Gyasi Zardes scored a goal apiece, while Tyler Boyd notched two, the first of which opened his account with the USA and also marked the 1,000th goal in USMNT history.

Nine players made their Concacaf Gold Cup debut in the shutout, while Michael Bradley registered his 23rd career assist on Boyd's goal, moving him past Cobi Jones into sole possession of second place on the USMNT's all-time assist list.

GROUP D REWIND

The USA (1-0-0; 3pts) sits atop Gold Cup Group D with a superior goal differential to Panama (1-0-0; 3pts), which defeated Trinidad & Tobago 2-0 in the opener. Group D action now shifts to FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland where Panama will play Guyana and the USA will face Trinidad & Tobago on June 22.

2019 Gold Cup – Group D Standings

2019 Gold Cup Group D Table

TEAMS

W

L

D

Pts.

GF

GA

GD

USA

1

0

0

3

4

0

4

Panama

1

0

0

3

2

0

2

Trinidad & Tobago

0

1

0

0

0

2

-2

Guyana

0

1

0

0

0

4

-4

 

WHAT IS THE CONCACAF GOLD CUP?

Held every two years, the Gold Cup is the regional championship for Concacaf, the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football. Just like in the European Championships and Copa America, lifting the trophy brings prestige and regional supremacy. Over the course of 14 previous Gold Cup tournaments, the United States has lifted the trophy six times (1991, 2002, 2005, 2007, 2013, 2017), just one behind all-time leaders Mexico with seven (1993, 1996, 1998, 2003, 2009, 2011, 2015). Canada is the only other tournament champion, coming away with the title in 2000. 
 
Placed in Group D, the U.S. opens the tournament against Guyana on June 18 in St. Paul, takes on Trinidad & Tobago on June 22 in Cleveland and closes the group stage against regular tournament nemesis Panama on June 26 in Kansas City. The top two teams in each of the four groups advance to the quarterfinals (June 29-30 in Houston, Philadelphia). The semifinals are set for July 2-3 in Phoenix and Nashville, respectively, before the champion is crowned on July 7 in Chicago. 
 

USA TOURNAMENT NOTES

  • With the opening strike against Guyana, Paul Arriola recorded his fourth career goal, second of 2019 and first in Concacaf Gold Cup play. The 24-year-old also added his third career assist on Tyler Boyd’s second strike in the 81st minute. 

  • Providing the final pass on Arriola’s goal in the 28th, Weston McKennie recorded his first career assist for the USMNT. 

  • Making just his second appearance, winger Tyler Boyd scored his first two international goals in the win against Guyana. Boyd’s first in the 51st minute was also the 1,000th goal in USMNT history.

  • Michael Bradley registered his 23rd career assist on Boyd’s goal, moving him past Cobi Jones into sole possession of second place on the USMNT’s all-time assist list.

  • Gyasi Zardes’ 55th minute goal against Guyana was the eighth of his international career and second of 2019. 

  • Goalkeeper Zack Steffen combined with the back line to keep his fourth career clean sheet. 

  • Nine players made their Concacaf Gold Cup debut against Guyana: Boyd, Lima, Long, Pulisic, McKennie, Mihailovic, Steffen, Trapp and Zimmerman. 

  • With his 21st cap in the tournament, Michael Bradley moved into a tie for fourth on the USMNT’s Gold Cup appearances list alongside DaMarcus Beasley, Frankie Hejduk and Eric Wynalda. 

USA ROSTER NOTES:  

  • As of June 18, 2019, the U.S. roster has an average age of 25 years, 251 days and 24 caps. 

  • Ten players on the roster have previous Gold Cup experience, led by Michael Bradley (4 tournaments), Jozy Altidore, Omar Gonzalez and Sean Johnson (3), Tim Ream and Gyasi Zardes (2), and Paul Arriola, Matt Miazga Jordan Morris and Cristian Roldan (1)

  • Of the 10 players above, only Tim Ream was not part of the 2017 Gold Cup championship squad. 

  • A majority of the roster comes from Major League Soccer, with 17 players representing 12 clubs.

  • Six players come from clubs outside of MLS, with four from England, and one each from Germany and Portugal

  • Along with most tournament’s played, Bradley leads all players on the roster with 21 Gold Cup appearances, followed by Zardes (11), Altidore and Gonzalez (9 each), Jordan Morris and Paul Arriola (6). 

  • Eight players on the roster have registered goals in the Gold Cup: Altidore (4), Bradley, Gonzalez and Morris (3 each), Boyd and Zardes (2), Miazga and Arriola (1 each). 

  • LAFC goalkeeper Tyler Miller is the only player on the Gold Cup roster looking for his USMNT debut. 

  • Only five players were born when the USA won the inaugural Gold Cup title in 1991: Altidore, Bradley, Gonzalez Johnson and Ream

U.S. MNT IN THE GOLD CUP

  • Beginning with the inaugural title in 1991, the U.S. has lifted the Gold Cup on six occasions. The USA returned the trophy home in 2002 and won again in 2005, 2007, 2013 and 2017. 

  • The USA has more wins in the CONCACAF Gold Cup than any other nation, going 57-8-9 all-time.

  • The U.S. has gone an impressive 34-1-4 during the Group Stage.

  • The MNT has advanced to the final on 10 occasions: 1991, 1993, 1998, 2002, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013 and 2017. 

  • The USA has made it to the semifinals in 13 out of 14 tournaments, missing out only in 2000. 

USA-TRINIDAD & TOBAGO NOTES

  • The USA and T&T square off for the first time since Oct. 10, 2017, when the Soca Warriors collected a 2-1 win that helped eliminate the United States from qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

  • The USMNT holds and 18-3-4 lifetime advantage in the series and is 13-0-1 on home soil.

  • The teams have met three times in the Gold Cup, including during the USA’s championship runs in the inaugural tournament in 1991 and again in 2007. The MNT secured victories in all three.

  • All three of Trinidad’s wins have come in Port of Spain.

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO ROSTER 

GOALKEEPERS (3): Adrian Foncette (Police FC; 12/0), Marvin Phillip (Central; 72/0), Greg Ranjitsingh (Orlando City SC; 1/0)

DEFENDERS (6):
Daneil Cyrus (Al-Orobah/KSA; 80/0), Aubrey David (Saprissa/CRC; 45/1), Curtis Gonzales (Defence Force; 32/0), Alvin Jones (OKC Energy FC/USA; 18/1), Carlyle Mitchell (Terminix La Horquetta Rangers; 36/3), Mekeil Williams (OKC Energy FC/USA; 25/1)

MIDFIELDERS (12):
Cordell Cato (OKC Energy FC/USA; 29/2), Levi Garcia (Beitar Jerusalem/ISR; 20/2), Kevan George (Charlotte Independence/USA; 45/0), Neveal Hackshaw (Indy Eleven/USA; 11/0), Akeem Humphrey (Club Sando; 3/0), Khaleem Hyland (Al-Faisaly/KSA; 84/4), Joevin Jones (Seattle Sounders FC/USA; 70/7), Nathan Lewis (Lansing Ignite/USA; 24/2), Kevin Molina (Minnesota United FC/USA; 45/19), Duane Muckette (Memphis 901; 2/0), Leston Paul (Memphis 901/USA; 23/0) Jomal Williams (W Connection; 16/2)

FORWARDS (2):
Lester Peltier (Al-Orobah/KSA; 39/6), Shahdon Winchester (W Connection; 26/6)
 

IN FOCUS: TRINIDAD & TOBAGO

  • Trinidad is coached by former Soca Warriors international Dennis Lawrence, who has held the post since February of 2017. He earned 89 caps during a 10-year international career.

  • Notably, 10 players are based in the United States, with three playing in Major League Soccer. Winger Joevin Jones is teammates with USA players Jordan Morris and Cristian Roldan in Seattle, while midfielder Kevin Molino features for Minnesota United FC and goalkeeper Greg Ranjitsingh is on the books at Orlando City SC. The trio of defenders Alvin Jones and Mekeil Williams and midfielder Cordell Cato play for OKC Energy. 

  • Khaleem Hyland is the leading cap winner with 84, followed by Daneil Cyrus (80) and Jones (70).