Preview: USMNT Aims For Top Spot In Group Vs. Trinidad And Tobago At 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup

CHICAGO (July 1, 2023) – The U.S. Men’s National Team will close out Group A play at the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup on Sunday, July 2 vs. Trinidad and Tobago. Following a dominant 6-0 victory against St. Kitts and Nevis on Wednesday, the USMNT is in prime position to take the top spot in the group against the Soca Warriors.

Coverage of USA-Trinidad and Tobago from Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C. begins at 6:30 p.m. ET on FOX and Univsion, with kickoff set for 7 p.m. ET. Live Spanish-language audio for the match will be available on Fútbol de Primera radio platforms.

Trinidad and Tobago is a frequent foe for the USA in Concacaf, with the U.S. holding a 20-3-4 record. After earning a 1-1 draw against a strong Jamaica side in its group stage opener, the U.S. rolled St. Kitts and while a win would put the U.S. in the driver’s seat for first place, the standings could come down to goal differential. The Soca Warriors topped St. Kitts 3-0 to open the tournament before struggling in a 4-1 loss to Jamaica on Wednesday.

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; 13/0), 23-Gaga Slonina (Chelsea/ENG; 1/0), 1-Matt Turner (Arsenal/ENG; 29/0)

DEFENDERS (8): 15-DeJuan Jones (New England Revolution; 3/0), 3-Aaron Long (LAFC; 33/3), 4-Matt Miazga (FC Cincinnati; 25/1), 20-Jalen Neal (LA Galaxy; 4/0), 5-Bryan Reynolds (Roma/ITA; 4/1), 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; 10/0), 14-Djordje Mihailovic (AZ Alkmaar/NED; 8/3), 16-Aidan Morris (Columbus Crew; 4/0), 10-Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders; 34/0), 8-James Sands (New York City FC; 10/0), 7-Alan Soñora (FC Juárez/MEX; 5/0)

FORWARDS (6): 11-Cade Cowell (San Jose Earthquakes; 5/0), 9-Jesús Ferreira (FC Dallas; 20/11), 22-Julian Gressel (Vancouver Whitecaps/CAN; 3/0), 13-Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders; 53/11), 19-Brandon Vazquez (FC Cincinnati; 5/2), 17-Alex Zendejas (Club América/MEX; 5/1)

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.	6-0 W	--
Sunday, July 2	Trinidad and Tobago	Bank of America Stadium; Charlotte, N.C.	7 p.m.	FOX, Univision

SURGING PAST THE SUGAR BOYZ

The USMNT kept momentum rolling from a strong second half against Jamaica for a dominant 6-0 win in its first-ever meeting with St. Kitts and Nevis on Wednesday night. The 100th opponent in team history, a hat trick from 2022 FIFA World Cup veteran forward Jesús Ferreira led the U.S. attack, while midfielder Djordje Mihailovic added two goals and two assists, defender Bryan Reynolds netted his first international goal and midfielder Gianluca Busio contributed two assists.

The 6-0 score was tied for the USA’s largest margin of victory ever at the Gold Cup, previously topping Cuba in 2015 and Trinidad and Tobago in 2019 by the same mark, while the USA’s first three goals came in just three minutes and 50 seconds, the quickest span for three goals during a competitive match in USMNT history.

FERREIRA FEATS

Ferreira’s hat trick was the second of his career as he became just the fifth USMNT player to record multiple hat tricks, following Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey, Jozy Altidore and Peter Millar. Last summer, he bagged a record-tying four goals against Grenada to open Concacaf Nations League play on June 10 in Austin, Texas.

Tallying his ninth, 10th and 11th international goals in just his 20th cap, the FC Dallas forward became the fastest USMNT player to hit double-digit goals in terms of appearances. Ferreira bested Clint Mathis, who reached 10 goals in 23 caps.

BIRTHDAY BANGER

Bryan Reynolds netted his first international goal on his 22nd birthday. He follows Earnie Stewart (March 28, 2001 at Honduras) as the second player to score for the USMNT on his birthday. Reynolds is also the 31st USMNT player to celebrate a birthday cap, goalkeeper Matt Turner was the 30th against Jamaica in the 2023 Gold Cup opener.

OFFICIALLY OFFICIAL

Two more players made their debut in official competition against St. Kitts: defender DeJuan Jones and forward Julian Gressel, bringing the USA’s total at this Gold Cup to eight. In addition, Gressel was officially cap-tied to the United States with his second-half substitute appearance.

All 20 field players have now seen minutes at the Gold Cup, while 19-year-old goalkeeper Gaga Slonina is the lone player yet to see the field. An appearance would see him officially cap-tied to the United States.

SOCA WARRIORS FACE SETBACK

A late addition to the tournament proper after Nicaragua was ruled out of the Gold Cup, Trinidad and Tobago got off to a flying start with a 3-0 win against St. Kitts and Nevis. 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 and St. Kitts deflected a cross in for an own goal eight minutes later.

The dual island nation struggled against Jamaica in Wednesday night’s first match, going down 3-0 in the first 30 minutes of play. Midfielder Andre Rampersad pulled one back after halftime, but the Reggae Boyz retook their three-goal lead with a tally in second-half stoppage time for a convincing 4-1 win.

CAROLINA IN MY MIND

The USA is 4-1-2 in North Carolina all-time, but Sunday marks the USMNT’s first match in Charlotte and at Bank of America Stadium, home of Charlotte FC. In 1994, the U.S. topped Moldova in the Charlotte suburb of Davidson. Most recently in the Tar Heel State, the USA beat Paraguay 1-0 in Cary, N.C. in March 2018 as forward Tim Weah made his international debut and became the first player born in 2000 to appear for the USMNT.

USA ROSTER NOTES

• The roster holds an average age of 25 years, 79 days as of July 1.
• In his first start since June 26, 2019, Djordje Mihailovic recorded two goals and two assists against St. Kitts. Mihailovic’s 12^th-minute goal was the second of his international career and first since his USMNT debut on Jan. 27, 2019 against Panama. He went on to record his first two international assists on Ferreira’s second and third goals, before tallying his third career goal in the 79th minute.
• With assists on Djordje Mihailovic’s opener and Jesús Ferreira’s second goal, Gianluca Busio (21 years, 31 days) became the second youngest USMNT player to record a multi-assist game in the Gold Cup. He follows Christian Pulisic, who was 20 years, 278 days when he registered two assists against Trinidad and Tobago on June 22, 2019.
• Alex Zendejas registered his first career assist on Reynolds’ goal vs. St. Kitts.
• Substitute Cristian Roldan collected his third career assist on Mihailovic’s 79th minute goal. It was Roldan’s first assist since July 25, 2021 vs. Jamaica in the Gold Cup Quarterfinal.
• Forward Cade Cowell and defender Jalen Neal were the third pair of 19-year-olds to start a Gold Cup match for the USMNT. The duo follows DaMarcus Beasley and Landon Donovan (Jan. 21, 2002 vs. Cuba) and George Bello and Gianluca Busio (July 15, 2021 vs. Martinique).
• At 19 years, 309 days, Neal became the youngest center back to start for the USMNT in 17 editions of the Gold Cup. Neal is also the second-youngest center back to earn a start in official competition for the USMNT, trailing only Mike Windischmann who set the mark at 19 years, 165 days when he started the first of three consecutive World Cup qualifiers on May 19, 1985 against Trinidad and Tobago.
• Midfielder James Sands appeared in his eighth consecutive Gold Cup match, dating back to the 2021 tournament opener against Haiti.
• Sean Johnson combined with the back line to earn his seventh career clean sheet. Johnson has conceded just two goals in his international career, contributing to 11 team shutouts in his 13 career appearances.
• 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).
• Goalkeeper Sean Johnson is one of just nine players to make five or more Gold Cup rosters alongside DaMarcus Beasley, Landon Donovan, Frankie Hejduk, Kasey Keller (six rosters), Michael Bradley, Clint Dempsey, Cobi Jones and Eric Wynalda.
• 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 earlier this year: Julian Gressel, DeJuan Jones, Aidan Morris, Jalen Neal, Gaga Slonina, Alan Soñora, John Tolkin, Brandon Vazquez and Alex Zendejas.

USA-TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

• Sunday marks the 28th meeting between the USA and Trinidad and Tobago, tied for the fifth-most frequent opponent in USMNT history with El Salvador and Honduras.
• The U.S. holds a 20-3-4 advantage all-time vs. the Soca Warriors.
• The nations last squared off in a friendly match on Jan. 31, 2021, a 7-0 win for the USA. Forward Jesús Ferreira netted his first two career goals and registered three assists, while defender Miles Robinson opened up his international account. Forwards Paul Arriola and Jonathan Lewis scored twice as well, marking the first time since 1993 that three USMNT players scored multiple goals in a single game.
• Previously, the teams’ last competitive clash came during the 2019 Gold Cup group stage, a 6-0 triumph for the USA in Cleveland, tied for its largest margin of victory at the tournament. Defender Aaron Long netted his first two international goals.
• U.S. midfielder Aidan Morris plays alongside Trinidad midfielder Kevin Molino with the Columbus Crew.
• USMNT defender Miles Robinson is teammates with Trinidad midfielder Ajani Fortune at Atlanta United FC.
• The USA-Trinidad and Tobago rivalry dates back to March 21, 1982, a 2-1 friendly win in the Trinidadian capital Port of Spain.
• One of the most significant goals in U.S. Soccer history came against the Soca Warriors, as Paul Caligiuri’s tally vs. Trinidad in November 1989 during qualifying for the 1990 FIFA World Cup sent the USA to the world stage for the first time in 40 years.

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO ROSTER BY POSITION:

GOALKEEPERS (3): 21-Nicklas Frenderup (Ranheim/NOR; 10/0), 1-Marvin Phillip (Port of Spain; 91/0), 22-Denzil Smith (W Connection; 1/0)

DEFENDERS (8): 5-Leland Archer (Charleston Battery/USA; 3/0), 4-Sheldon Bateau (Beveren/BEL; 50/4), 2-Aubrey David (Aucas/ECU; 72/1), 14-Shannon Gomez (San Antonio FC/USA; 8/0), 18-Triston Hodge (Hartford Athletic/USA; 25/0), 16-Alvin Jones (Club Sando; 43/2), 12-Kareem Moses (FF Jaro/FIN; 16/1), 6-Luke Singh (Atletico Ottawa/CAN; 0/0)

MIDFIELDERS (6): 8-Ajani Fortune (Atlanta United FC/USA; 4/0), 15-Neveal Hackshaw (Oakland Roots SC/USA; 32/2), 3-Joevin Jones (Police; 87/12), 23-Molik Jesse Khan (Minnesota United/USA; 4/0), 10-Kevin Molino (Columbus Crew/USA; 56/22), 17-Andre Rampersad (HFX Wanderers/CAN; 2/0)

FORWARDS (6): 20-Kaile Auvray (Sporting KC/USA; 6/0), 9-Kadeem Corbin (La Horquetta Rangers; 3/0), 11-Levi Garcia (AEK Athens/GRE; 38/8), 13-Real Gill (Club Sando; 1/0), 19-Malcom Shaw (Atletico Ottawa/CAN; 0/0), 7-Ryan Telfer (Miami FC/USA; 21/8)

IN FOCUS: TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
SOCCER HISTORY:

• This year marks Trinidad and Tobago’s 12th appearance at the Concacaf Gold Cup. Its best finish at the tournament came in 2000, a third-place showing after the USA and Mexico were eliminated in the quarterfinals.
• It's just the second time that Trinidad has qualified for three consecutive Gold Cups (1996, 1998, 2000; 2019, 2021, 2023).
• The Soca Warriors’ lone World Cup appearance came at Germany 2006, where they finished fourth in Group B behind England, Sweden and Paraguay.
• Trinidad was the most successful nation in the history of the Caribbean Cup, winning eight titles and finishing runner-up five times between 1989 and 2017.

HOW THEY GOT HERE:

• Trinidad and Tobago replaced Nicaragua in Group A on June 12 after Nicaragua was disqualified for fielding ineligible players during the 2022-23 Concacaf Nations League.
• Initially, Trinidad earned a berth in the 12-team Gold Cup qualifying pre-tournament by finishing runner-up in Nations League B, Group C.
• In Nations League play, the Soca Warriors finished 4-1-1, finishing just one point behind group winner Nicaragua.

ROSTER NOTES:

• Six of Trinidad’s 23-player roster competes domestically, while nine are based in the United States, including four at Major League Soccer clubs and five in the USL Championship.
• The Soca Warriors have also called in players from Canada (three), Belgium, Ecuador, Finland, Greece and Norway (one each).
• Goalkeeper Marvin Phillips is the squad’s most-experienced player with 91 caps. Columbus Crew midfielder Kevin Molino leads the team in scoring with 22 goals in 56 international appearances.
• Three players have scored for Trinidad so far at the Gold Cup: defender Alvin Jones plus midfielders Ajani Fortune and Andre Rampersad.

HEAD COACH ANGUS EVE

• Head coach Angus Eve took over Trinidad and Tobago as interim head coach in June 2021 and was hired full-time in September of that year, recording an 8-5-3 record with the Soca Warriors.
• A former Trinidadian international, Eve is his nation’s all-time cap leader with 117 appearances from 1994-2005.
• He spent most of his playing career in Trinidad as well as one season in the English fourth tier with Chester City.

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