#OTD 2013: U.S. MNT Runs Rampant in Second Half to Defeat Cuba 4-1

In a match that was strikingly similar to a Gold Cup group game from eight years prior in Seattle, Cuba again ran out to a 1-0 lead when Ariel Martinez beat Edgar Castillo to the end line and crossed for Jose Ciprian whose volley beat Nick Rimando at the near post in the 36^th minute.

The goal marked the last time the MNT has trailed in a Gold Cup match and like in 2005, the U.S. would equalize just before halftime as Castillo made amends by earning a penalty kick in stoppage time and Landon Donovan stepped up to slot home the equalizer.

Twelve minutes after the break, Joe Corona picked up a bouncing ball just outside the area and curled his effort inside the right post to give the U.S. a 2-1 lead.

In the 66^th minute Kyle Beckerman’s pinpoint cross from the right picked out Chris Wondolowski, who re-directed his effort past Odelín Molina to make it 3-1.

Wondo would bag a brace in the 85^th minute as a one-two combination in the box between Castillo and Corona gave the striker an easy finish from close range and the U.S. ran out 4-1 winners.

The win moved the U.S. to a perfect 5-0-0 record against Cuba in Gold Cup play and clinched a quarterfinal spot for the team en route to their fifth tournament title.