CHICAGO (July 8, 2023) – The U.S. Men’s National Team will kick off the knockout stage of the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup on Sunday, July 9 with a quarterfinal encounter against Canada. After an undefeated run through Group A in which the USA topped the group with its most goals in pool play at the Gold Cup, the U.S. is one of eight teams still standing and aims to win a record-tying eighth confederation championship.
Coverage of USA-Canada from TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio begins at 7 p.m. ET on FS1 and 7:30 p.m. ET on Univision and TUDN, with kickoff set for 8 p.m. ET. Live Spanish-language audio for the match will be available on Fútbol de Primera radio platforms.
Sunday night marks the USA and Canada’s second knockout match this summer after the USMNT took down the Reds 2-0 to clinch its second-straight Concacaf Nations League title on June 18 in Las Vegas. Canada drew its first two matches before defeating Cuba 4-2 in the group finale to finish second in Group D, setting up its quarterfinal clash against the USA.
Fans will be able to follow the match via Facebook, Twitter @USMNT, Instagram @USMNT and the official U.S. Soccer App.
GOALKEEPERS (3): 18-Sean Johnson (Toronto FC/CAN; 13/0), 23-Gaga Slonina (Chelsea/ENG; 1/0), 1-Matt Turner (Arsenal/ENG; 30/0)
DEFENDERS (8): 15-DeJuan Jones (New England Revolution; 4/0), 3-Aaron Long (LAFC; 33/3), 4-Matt Miazga (FC Cincinnati; 26/1), 20-Jalen Neal (LA Galaxy; 5/0), 5-Bryan Reynolds (Roma/ITA; 5/1), 12-Miles Robinson (Atlanta United; 23/3), 21-John Tolkin (New York Red Bulls; 2/0), 2-DeAndre Yedlin (Inter Miami; 80/0)
MIDFIELDERS (6): 6-Gianluca Busio (Venezia/ITA; 11/1), 14-Djordje Mihailovic (AZ Alkmaar/NED; 9/3), 16-Aidan Morris (Columbus Crew; 4/0), 10-Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders; 35/0), 8-James Sands (New York City FC; 11/0), 24-Jackson Yueill (San Jose Earthquakes; 16/0)
FORWARDS (6): 11-Cade Cowell (San Jose Earthquakes; 6/1), 9-Jesús Ferreira (FC Dallas; 21/14), 22-Julian Gressel (Vancouver Whitecaps/CAN; 4/0), 13-Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders; 53/11), 19-Brandon Vazquez (FC Cincinnati; 6/3), 17-Alex Zendejas (Club América/MEX; 6/1)
| 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. | 6-0 W | -- |
| Sunday, July 2 | Trinidad and Tobago | Bank of America Stadium; Charlotte, N.C. | 6-0 W | -- |
| Sunday, July 9 | Canada | TQL Stadium; Cincinnati, Ohio | 8 p.m. | FS1, Univision, TUDN |
Another standout performance from forward Jesús Ferreira led the USA to a 6-0 win against Trinidad and Tobago in its final match of the group stage on Sunday night before 40,243 fans at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C. Ferreira netted a first-half hat trick while forward Cade Cowell, midfielder Gianluca Busio and forward Brandon Vazquez added second-half goals.
The USA’s 6-0 victory matched its highest margin of victory at the Gold Cup for the second time this tournament, following the 6-0 win against St. Kitts and Nevis on Wednesday, June 28. It’s the first time that the U.S. has recorded consecutive wins by six goals or more in official competition. The USMNT’s 13 goals in the group stage are the most it has ever scored in pool play at the tournament, breaking the previous record of 11 set in 2013 and matched in 2019.
Forward Jesús Ferreira is in the midst of a historic run of form for the USMNT as he became the first player in team history to net hat tricks in back-to-back games with his triples against St. Kitts and Trinidad. His third career hat trick tied him with Landon Donovan for the most in team history with just 21 games played at the senior international level.
Ferreira’s hat trick was also the fourth in team history to come in the opening half, following Brian McBride (Jan. 27, 2002 vs. El Salvador; 9’ 11’, 21’), Chris Wondolowski (July 9, 2013 vs. Belize; 12’, 37’, 41’), Weston McKennie (October 11, 2019 vs. Cuba; 1’, 5’, 13’). Eleven of the FC Dallas forward’s 14 international goals have come in official competition, tying him for 10th on the USMNT scoring list in competitive matches, while his six goals at this year’s Gold Cup have him leading the Golden Boot race.
Matt Turner and the U.S. defense held the Soca Warriors scoreless on Sunday night, making the goalkeeper the fastest in USMNT history to reach 20 shutouts and 20 victories. The feat came in his 30th international cap, besting Kasey Keller who earned his 20th shutout in his 46th cap and Tim Howard who earned his 20th win in his 33rd cap.
In eight career Gold Cup matches, Turner has allowed just two goals, a USMNT-best 0.24 goals against average among ‘keepers with five appearances in the competition. Overall, Turner’s 0.46 goals against average leads all USMNT goalkeepers among those who have made at least 15 appearances.
Following Ferreira’s hat trick, forward Cade Cowell and midfielder Gianluca Busio netted their first international goals, each carrying its own significance. Cowell’s goal came just a month after leading the USA with three goals at the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Argentina. Out of 15 players to score for the U.S. at the U-20 World Cup and the senior international level, Cowell’s 33 days between goals was the quickest turnaround in USMNT history, followed by 98 days from Michael Bradley’s final goal at the 2007 U-20 World Cup to his first full team goal in an October friendly that same year. Bobby Convey and Tim Weah had already scored their first senior international goals when they represented the USA at the 2003 and 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cups, respectively.
The 19-year-old Cowell also became just the fifth teenager to log a goal and assist in a USMNT match, following Christian Pulisic (three times), Gio Reyna, Landon Donovan and Ricardo Pepi. He’s the 26th teenager to score for the USMNT and 14th to do so in official competition.
Busio’s first international goal came in his home state of North Carolina. The midfielder hails from Greensboro, about 90 minutes from Charlotte, and he became the 14th U.S. player to score his first goal in his birth state. He’s just the third player not from California to score his debut goal in his home state.
After drawing its first two matches, Canada won its final group stage game to secure its place in the knockout stage. In the Group D opener vs. Guadeloupe on home turf at Toronto’s BMO Field, the Reds had to rally from an early 1-0 deficit with a goal from forward Lucas Cavallini just after the break and a Guadeloupe own goal in the 70th to go up 2-1, but forward Jacen Russell-Rowe gifted the Gwada Boys an own goal in stoppage time and Canada had to settle for a draw.
Canada and Guatemala played to a scoreless draw in their second group stage match, a game in which the Canadians picked up five yellow cards. Needing a win in the pool play finale vs. Cuba, Canada took a 2-0 first-half lead on a penalty from forward Junior Hoilett and midfielder Jonathan Osorio. Forwards Jayden Nelson and Liam Millar netted in the second, and while Cuba converted two penalties the Reds came out on top 4-2 to secure a runner-up finish in Group D.
Three weeks after topping Canada in the Concacaf Nations League Final, Sunday marks the USA and Canada’s second meeting in knockout competition this summer. The U.S. is 17-10-12 all-time against Les Rouges, with a 4-0-1 mark in the Gold Cup and a 10-8-5 edge in official competition overall.
The group stage of the inaugural Concacaf Nations League in 2019 lit a spark between the sides as Canada upset the USA 2-0 on Oct. 15, 2019 in Toronto, before the USA returned the favor with a 4-1 win on Nov. 15, 2019 in Orlando to book a place in the 2021 CNL Finals.
After the USA edged Canada 1-0 during the 2021 Gold Cup group stage, John Herdman’s side got the better of the USMNT during 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying, earning a 1-1 away draw on Sept. 5, 2021 in Nashville, before taking a 2-0 win on Jan. 30, 2022 in Hamilton, helping to push Canada to its first World Cup appearance since 1986 where they went 0-3 and finished in fourth place in the group.
The USA returns to TQL Stadium in Cincinnati to face Canada on Sunday, its third visit to the home of FC Cincinnati since the venue opened in spring 2021. TQL played host to the latest Dos a Cero victory against Mexico in November 2021 during qualifying for the 2022 FIFA World Cup as well as a 3-0 friendly victory in June of 22 against Morocco, the team that finished fourth in Qatar 2022.
TQL Stadium is also home for two members of the 2023 Gold Cup squad: FC Cincinnati defender Matt Miazga and forward Brandon Vazquez, who’s already scored two goals for the USA during the tournament.
Overall, the USA is 3-1-0 in Cincinnati. The USMNT has a proud history in the Buckeye State, recording a 13-3-3 record and an 11-1-2 mark in official competition.
GOALKEEPERS (2): 16-Tom McGill (Brighton & Hove Albion/ENG; 0/0), 1-Dayne St. Clair (Minnesota United FC/USA; 3/0)
DEFENDERS (8): 14-Moise Bombito (Colorado Rapids/USA; 3/0), 2-Zachary Brault-Guillard (CF Montreal; 8/1), 23-Scott Kennedy (Jahn Regensburg/GER; 13/0), 22-Richie Laryea (Toronto FC; 44/2), 15-Zac McGraw (Portland Timbers/USA; 3/0), 4-Kamal Miller (Inter Miami CF/USA; 37/0), 5-Steven Vitoria (Chaves/POR; 43/4), 6-Dominick Zator (Korona Kielce/POL; 2/0)
MIDFIELDERS (5): 20-Ali Ahmed (Vancouver Whitecaps FC; 3/0), 3-Liam Fraser (Deinze/BEL; 18/0), 12-Victor Loturi (Ross County/SCO; 1/0), 21-Jonathan Osorio (Toronto FC; 67/9), 8-David Wotherspoon (St. Johnstone/SCO; 12/1)
FORWARDS (7): 19-Charles-Andreas Brym (FC Eindhoven/NED; 10/1), 9-Lucas Cavallini (Tijuana/MEX; 39/19), 10-Junior Hoilett (Reading/ENG; 58/15), 11-Liam Millar (Basel/SUI; 20/1), 7-Jayden Nelson (Rosenborg/NOR; 5/2), 17-Jacen Rusell-Rowe (Columbus Crew/USA; 2/0), 13-Jacob Shaffelburg (Nashville SC/USA; 6/0)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.
The Gold Cup roster is anchored with players who have tournament action under their belts. A total of 12 have previous experience at this competition, with nine having won at least once and 11 having reached a final. Matt Turner and Miles Robinson earned a spot on the 2021 Tournament Best XI, leading a total of seven players to lift the ’21 championship trophy. Five players helped the USMNT lift the 2022-23 Concacaf Nations League trophy last month: 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).
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.
Eleven 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, midfielder Djordje Mihailovic 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.
As expected, this Gold Cup roster has a more U.S.-based influence than the Concacaf Nations League squad, with a total of 17 of 23 players coming from Major League Soccer. Players also join from clubs in England (2), Italy (2), Mexico (1) and Netherlands (1).
With two selections each, FC Cincinnati, San Jose Earthquakes 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 and New York Red Bulls.