Preview: USMNT Continues 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup vs. Saint Kitts and Nevis in St. Louis

CHICAGO (June 27, 2023) – The U.S. Men’s National Team will continue its 2023 Gold Cup campaign on Wednesday, June 28 vs. Saint Kitts and Nevis. After a resilient effort secured an opening 1-1 draw vs. Jamaica on Saturday night, the USMNT will look for three points in its first match at CITYPARK, home of St. Louis CITY SC.

Coverage of USA-Saint Kitts and Nevis from CITYPARK in St. Louis, Mo. begins at 9:30 p.m. ET on FS1 and UniMás, with kickoff set for 10 p.m. ET. Live Spanish-language audio for the match will be available on Fútbol de Primera radio platforms.

It's the first meeting between the USA and the Sugar Boyz of St. Kitts and Nevis. The U.S. will look to build momentum following a strong second half against Jamaica, capped with an 88th-minute goal from forward Brandon Vazquez. Competing in its first Gold Cup, Saint Kitts and Nevis fell 3-0 to Trinidad and Tobago in tournament opener on Sunday, June 25 in Fort Lauderdale.

Fans will be able to follow the match via Facebook, Twitter @USMNT, Instagram @USMNT and the official U.S. Soccer App.

USMNT - GOLD CUP ROSTER BY POSITION (CLUB/COUNTRY; CAPS/GOALS):

GOALKEEPERS (3): 18-Sean Johnson (Toronto FC/CAN; 12/0), 23-Gaga Slonina (Chelsea/ENG; 1/0), 1-Matt Turner (Arsenal/ENG; 29/0)

DEFENDERS (8): 15-DeJuan Jones (New England Revolution; 2/0), 3-Aaron Long (LAFC; 33/3), 4-Matt Miazga (FC Cincinnati; 24/1), 20-Jalen Neal (LA Galaxy; 3/0), 5-Bryan Reynolds (Roma/ITA; 3/0), 12-Miles Robinson (Atlanta United; 21/3), 21-John Tolkin (New York Red Bulls; 2/0), 2-DeAndre Yedlin (Inter Miami; 79/0)

MIDFIELDERS (6): 6-Gianluca Busio (Venezia/ITA; 9/0), 14-Djordje Mihailovic (AZ Alkmaar/NED; 7/1), 16-Aidan Morris (Columbus Crew; 3/0), 10-Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders; 33/3), 8-James Sands (New York City FC; 9/0), 7-Alan Soñora (FC Juárez/MEX; 4/0)

FORWARDS (6): 11-Cade Cowell (San Jose Earthquakes; 4/0), 9-Jesús Ferreira (FC Dallas; 19/8), 22-Julian Gressel (Vancouver Whitecaps/CAN; 2/0), 13-Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders; 53/11), 19-Brandon Vazquez (FC Cincinnati; 4/2), 17-Alex Zendejas (Club América/MEX; 4/1)

USA SCHEDULE – 2023 CONCACAF GOLD CUP

Date	Opponent	Venue	Time (ET) / Result	TV Info
Saturday, June 24	Jamaica	Soldier Field; Chicago, Ill.	1-1 D	--
Wednesday, June 28	St. Kitts and Nevis	CityPark; St. Louis, Mo.	10 p.m.	FS1, UniMás
Sunday, July 2	Trinidad and Tobago	Bank of America Stadium; Charlotte, N.C.	7 p.m.	FOX, Univision

RESILIENT RESULT VS. REGGAE BOYZ

A dramatic late goal from substitute forward Brandon Vazquez delivered the USMNT a well-earned draw against Jamaica in the Gold Cup opener on Saturday night. The Reggae Boyz struck first as defender Damion Lowe finished a free kick with a diving header in the 13th minute. Jamaica had a chance to double its advantage in the 27th when it was awarded a penalty, but goalkeeper Matt Turner -- captaining the USMNT for the first time -- made a stellar diving save on his 29th birthday. The penalty stop was the second of his international career, having turned away the first in his USMNT debut, a 7-0 win against Trinidad and Tobago on Jan. 31, 2021.

A slew of second-half substitutes helped the USA take control of the game after the break. The equalizer finally came five minutes after Vazquez entered, when a loose ball fell at his feet just outside the six and he hammered it home for his second career international goal.

AIN’T OVER TIL IT’S OVER

With Vazquez’s game-tying goal in the 88th minute, the U.S. has scored the game-winning or game-tying goal after the 83rd minute in four straight Gold Cup matches. The USA’s 2021 continental championship run was characterized by dramatic late winners, punctuated by defender Miles Robinson’s 117th-minute extra time header in the championship match vs. Mexico. Before that, forward Gyasi Zardes sent the USA to the final with an 86th-minute goal vs. Qatar in the semis and forward Matthew Hoppe netted in the 83rd against Jamaica in the quarterfinals. 

OFFICIALLY OFFICIAL

Six players made their debut in official competition against Jamaica: defenders Jalen Neal and John Tolkin, midfielders Aidan Morris and Alan Soñora plus forwards Cade Cowell and Brandon Vazquez. In addition, Cowell, Morris, Soñora and Vazquez are now cap-tied to the USA.

Three more players are still seeking their first cap in official competition: goalkeeper Gaga Slonina, defender DeJuan Jones and forward Julian Gressel. Should they appear in a match during the Gold Cup, Slonina and Gressel will also be officially cap-tied to the United States.

ROUGH START FOR SUGAR BOYZ

The lone tournament debutant in this year’s Concacaf Gold Cup, Saint Kitts was initiated into the continental championship with a 3-0 loss to Trinidad and Tobago. Defender Alvin Jones netted just before halftime to put the Soca Warriors up, while midfielder Ajani Fortune scored in the 65th to double the lead. In the 73rd, Kittitian defender Jameel Ible deflected a Trinidad cross into his own goal for the final score line.

MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS

One of America’s soccer capitals, St. Louis has a rich history in the game and the USMNT has compiled a 6-1-3 record in the Gateway City, including a 3-1-1 record in official competition. The team last played in St. Louis in September 2019 against then No. 5-ranked Uruguay, where a late Jordan Morris equalizer earned the U.S. a 1-1 draw at Busch Stadium. In November 2015, the U.S. took down Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 6-1 in World Cup qualifying as defender Matt Miazga made his senior international debut.

Opened earlier this year, CITYPark has already played host to the the U.S. Women’s National Team, a 1-0 victory against the Republic of Ireland on April 11. 

USA ROSTER NOTES

• The roster holds an average age of 25 years, 75 days as of June 28.
• Forward Julian Gressel was excused from attending the first week of camp due to the birth of his child. He joined the team on Monday ahead of Wednesday’s match in St. Louis.
• Matt Turner celebrated his 29th birthday by captaining the USMNT for the first time against Jamaica. Turner is the 30th player in team history to earn a birthday cap.
• Turner’s penalty kick save on Leon Bailey in the 28th minute vs. Jamaica was the second of his international career. He memorably stopped a penalty in his USMNT debut, a 7-0 win against Trinidad and Tobago on Jan. 31, 2021 in Orlando.
• Vazquez scored his second goal in his fourth international match. His previous goal came on January 25, 2023 in a loss to Serbia.
• Midfielder James Sands and Turner made their seventh consecutive Gold Cup appearances. The duo featured in all six of the USA’s matches in the 2021 edition of the tournament.
• Seven players are 24 or younger: Brandon Vazquez (24); James Sands and Jesús Ferreira (22); Aidan Morris (21); John Tolkin (20); Cade Cowell and Jalen Neal (19)
• With his appearance vs. Jamaica, veteran defender DeAndre Yedlin became the 25^th USMNT player to earn 40 appearances in official competition. Official competition cap leaders in this squad: Yedlin (40), Jordan Morris (31), Matt Turner (24), Cristian Roldan (20), Miles Robinson (18), Aaron Long (13).
• Sean Johnson is the ninth USMNT player named to five or more Gold Cup rosters, joining DaMarcus Beasley (6), Landon Donovan (6), Frankie Hejduk (6), Kasey Keller (6), Michael Bradley (5), Clint Dempsey (5), Cobi Jones (5) and Eric Wynalda (5). 
• After earning tournament Best XI honors in 2021, goalkeeper Matt Turner and defender Miles Robinson are among six returnees from that year’s championship side. They are joined by Gianluca Busio, Sean Johnson, Cristian Roldan and James Sands.
• Turner claimed the Golden Glove as best goalkeeper at the 2021 Gold Cup, earning five clean sheets and conceding only one goal in six matches. Robinson contributed mightily to those five clean sheets, while also adding two goals including the extra time winner in the 1-0 victory against Mexico in the final. 
• Nine players made their USMNT debut this year: Julian Gressel, DeJuan Jones, Aidan Morris, Jalen Neal, Gaga Slonina, Alan Soñora, John Tolkin, Brandon Vazquez and Alex Zendejas.

USA-SAINT KITTS AND NEVIS

• This is the first meeting between the USA and Saint Kitts and Nevis.
• The Sugar Boyz are the 100th nation to face the USMNT. They’re the 25th different opponent that the U.S. has faced from Concacaf out of 41 member associations.
• This is the USA’s second straight Gold Cup in which it faces an opponent for the first time, following the 2021 Gold Cup Semifinal against Qatar.
• The is the first time that the USA has faced three Caribbean opponents in the group stage of the Gold Cup.
• Goalkeeper Xander Parke backstopped the Sugar Boyz at the 2022 Concacaf U-20 Championship and faced the USA in both teams’ first match at the tourney, a 10-0 win for the U.S. Cade Cowell opened the scoring with a penalty.
• CAUTION WATCH: Saint Kitts defender Andre Burley and midfielder Raheem Somersall both picked up yellow cards vs. Trinidad and Tobago. Should they receive another caution vs. the USA, they will miss the Sugar Boyz’ group stage finale vs. Jamaica.

SAINT KITTS AND NEVIS DETAILED ROSTER BY POSITION:

GOALKEEPERS (3): 18-Juliani Archibald (Lorca Deportiva/ESP; 51/0), 1-Jamal Jeffers (St. Paul’s United; 13/0), 23-Xander Parke (Shrewbury Town/ENG; 0/0)

DEFENDERS (8): 4-Andre Burley (Oxford City/ENG; 11/0), 20-Raheem Hanley (Stalybridge Celtic/ENG; 10/0), 5-Jameel Ible (Guiseley/ENG; 5/0), 6-Lois Maynard (Oldham Athletic/ENG; 12/0), 13-Ezrick Nicholls (University of Tampa/USA; 1/0), 2-Malique Roberts (Cayon Rockets; 7/0), 12-Dihjorn Simmonds (Cayon Rockets; 1/0), 3-Gerard Williams (TRAU/IND; 79/2)

MIDFIELDERS (6): 22-Ronaldo Belgrove (Miami City/USA; 0/0), 16-Mervin Lewis (Cayon Rockets; 4/0), 8-Yohannes Mitchum (Newtown United; 28/1), 19-Romaine Sawyers (Cardiff City/WAL; 35/6), 14-Raheem Somersall (North Carolina FC/USA; 17/0), 11-Tyquan Terrell (St. Peter’s; 10/2)

FORWARDS (6): 9-Carlos Bertie (Cayon Rockets; 18/3), 16-Keithroy Freeman (St. Paul’s United; 13/6), 10-Jacob Hazel (Darlington/ENG; 5/0), 17-Rowan Liburd (Ramsgate/ENG; 13/4), 21-Omari Sterling-James (Ebbsfleet United/ENG; 19/4), 7-Tiquanny Williams (Old Road Jets; 7/2)

IN FOCUS: SAINT KITTS AND NEVIS:

SOCCER HISTORY

• This year marks Saint Kitts’ first appearance at the Concacaf Gold Cup.
• Its previous greatest international success came as co-host at the 1997 Caribbean Cup, finishing runner-up to Trinidad and Tobago.
• The Sugar Boyz qualified to five of 18 Caribbean Cups held from 1989-2017, also finishing fourth in their debut at the 1993 edition.
• Saint Kitts reached the second round of qualification for the 2022 FIFA World Cup before the third round Octagonal. The dual island nation topped its group with a 3-1-0 record, including wins against Puerto Rico, Bahamas and Guyana.

HOW THEY GOT HERE

• Saint Kitts and Nevis qualified for the 2023 Gold Cup as one of three teams from the Gold Cup Prelims, held just before the tournament from June 16-20 in Fort Lauderdale
• Twelve teams entered the qualification tournament based on their performance in the 2022-23 Concacaf Nations League. The Sugar Boyz were drawn against Curaçao in their first match, and after falling behind early midfielder Tyquan Terrell equalized to make it 1-1 in the 83rd and sent the match to penalties, where St. Kitts triumphed 3-2.
• It went to penalties again in the Gold Cup-clinching second round against French Guiana, as forward Tiquanny Williams scored just before the break, but French Guiana answered on the other side of the half. In penalties, Saint Kitts triumphed 4-2 to reach its first Gold Cup.
• Saint Kitts earned its berth in the qualifying tournament by winning Concacaf Nations League C, Group B, going an undefeated 3-0-1 against Aruba and Saint Martin.

ROSTER NOTES:

• Nine players compete domestically, with four coming from current league leader Cayon Rockets.
• Three are based in the USA, with players at North Carolina FC (USL League One), Miami City (USL League Two) and the University of Tampa.
• Additionally, eight players are based in England, plus one each in India, Spain and Wales.
• With 80 appearances, defender Gerard Williams has the most caps all-time for Saint Kitts and Nevis.
• Midfielder Romaine Sawyers and forward Keithroy Freeman both have netted six international goals, the most on the team.

HEAD COACH AUSTIN HUGGINS

• A former Saint Kitts international, Huggins earned 36 caps with the Sugar Boyz and was appointed head coach in January 2022. He’s recorded a 3-2-3 mark in charge.
• He previously coached Garden Hotspurs in Saint Kitts, where he also spent several seasons as a player. He also played professionally in Ireland for Bohemians.  

GOING FOR GOLD

After taking home one continental title earlier this month with a dominant performance at the Concacaf Nations League, the USMNT is aiming for a record-tying eighth Concacaf Gold Cup this June/July. Another championship would mark the first time ever that one nation has won four straight Concacaf titles.

The U.S. entered the tournament as Gold Cup champion following a strong performance in the 2021 competition. There, the U.S. rattled off six-straight wins and allowed just one goal en route to the title. The championship run was punctuated with a dramatic 1-0 win against Mexico in the tournament final, as defender Miles Robinson headed home the game-winning goal in added extra time. It marked two continental titles in two months for the USMNT with two almost entirely different rosters.

Held every two years, the Gold Cup has crowned a confederation champion biennially since 1991. Similar to the UEFA European Championship or the Copa America, lifting the trophy brings prestige and regional supremacy across North America, Central America and the Caribbean. The U.S. has won the tournament seven times (1991, 2002, 2005, 2007, 2013, 2017, 2021), just behind all-time leader Mexico (1993, 1996, 1998, 2003, 2009, 2011, 2015). Canada is the only other tournament champion, winning in 2000. 

EXPERIENCE AT THE CORE

The Gold Cup roster is anchored with players who have tournament action under their belts. A total of 11 have previous experience at this competition, with eight having won at least once and 10 having reached a final. Matt Turner and Miles Robinson earned a spot on the 2021 Tournament Best XI, leading a total of six players to lift the ’21 championship trophy. Five players helped the USMNT lift the 2022-23 Concacaf Nations League trophy last weekend: Turner and Robinson plus goalkeepers Sean Johnson and Matt Turner, midfielder Alan Soñora and forward Alex Zendejas.

In addition, the squad features seven players from the 2022 FIFA World Cup team: Johnson and Turner plus defenders Aaron Long and DeAndre Yedlin, midfielder Cristian Roldan and forwards Jesús Ferreira and Jordan Morris.

Sean Johnson becomes the ninth USMNT player named to five or more Gold Cup rosters, joining DaMarcus Beasley (6), Landon Donovan (6), Frankie Hejduk (6), Kasey Keller (6), Clint Dempsey (5), Brad Guzan (5), Cobi Jones (5) and Eric Wynalda (5).

FRESH FACES

Complementing the veteran core is a number of young, hungry players looking to make their mark on the senior USMNT. Seven players are age-eligible for next summer’s 2024 Olympics, the U.S. men’s first appearance at the tournament since 2008: goalkeeper Gaga Slonina, defenders Jalen Neal, John Tolkin and Bryan Reynolds, midfielders Gianluca Busio and Aidan Morris plus forward Cade Cowell.

Twelve players brought six or less caps and will look to gain valuable international tournament experience during the USA’s quest for an eighth Gold Cup: Cowell, Morris, Neal, Reynolds, Slonina and Tolkin plus defender DeJuan Jones, midfielders Djordje Mihailovic and Alan Soñora and forwards Julian Gressel, Brandon Vazquez and Alex Zendejas.

Prior to the 2021 Gold Cup, goalkeeper Matt Turner and Miles Robinson had a combined four international caps. The pair played every minute for the U.S. at the tournament, allowing just one goal and earning Best XI honors, catapulting them to some of the first names on the team sheet for the USMNT. Now, these players have the opportunity to take a similar step forward.

REPPING FROM NEAR AND FAR

As expected, this Gold Cup roster has a more U.S.-based influence than the Concacaf Nations League squad, with a total of 16 of 23 players coming from Major League Soccer. Players also join from clubs in England (2), Italy (2), Mexico (2) and Netherlands (1).

With two selections each, FC Cincinnati and Seattle Sounders lead the list of 12 MLS teams represented on the roster, followed by Atlanta United, Columbus Crew, FC Dallas, Inter Miami, LAFC, LA Galaxy, New England Revolution, New York City FC, New York Red Bulls and San Jose Earthquakes.

TOURNAMENT FORMAT

The Concacaf Gold Cup features 15 teams from across North America, Central America and the Caribbean, plus guest nation Qatar, competing for the continental championship. Teams qualified for the Gold Cup via their performance in the 2022-23 Concacaf Nations League. U.S. group opponent Saint Kitts and Nevis is the lone tournament debutant.

Teams were drawn into four groups of four, with the top two teams in each group advancing to the quarterfinals. From there, it’s a knockout bracket to the tournament final.

Group A	Group B	Group C	Group D
USA	Mexico	Costa Rica	Canada
Jamaica	Haiti	Panama	Guatemala
Trinidad and Tobago	Honduras	El Salvador	Cuba
Saint Kitts and Nevis	Qatar	Martinique	Guadeloupe