Jordan Morris Fuels 3-2 Gold Cup Victory

No, it wasn’t a thing of beauty.  USMNT coach Bruce Arena fielded essentially a “B” lineup of players who had never before played together. All were playing to make the case for their selection on the next U.S. World Cup team.

While several may achieve a roster spot, the reality is that none are likely to be in the starting lineup when FIFA 2018 World Cup opens in Russia a year from now. But making a World Cup roster is a major career achievement.

But they were the Big Fish going against Martinique, one of the region’s Minnows. The little fishes played very well, and 10-15 years ago they may have won, but they didn’t this time in Florida.

The Americans did not buckle and utilized a pair of goals from Jordan Morris and a rebound strike from Omar Gonzales to earn a wild 3-2 victory against Martinique in its second match of the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup in front of 23,368 fans at Raymond James Stadium. With the win, the U.S. moves atop Group B with four points and closes out the Group Stage with a clash against Nicaragua on Saturday, July 15 at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio (7 p.m. ET on FXX, Univision and UDN).

The U.S. needed a win to stay in contention for a first-place group finish, but Arena made numerous lineup changes after the opening 2-2 draw with Panama.

The first 45 minutes was a disappointing scoreless draw. all five goals came in the second half.

The U.S. threatened early, with Gyasi Zardes finding success operating down the left flank, leading to two chances for Morris inside the first 15 minutes. Morris’ front line partner got in on the action, coming close in the 27, before Zardes saw his own chance well held by Martinique goalkeeper Kevin Olimpafour minutes later.

Martinique pushed back with two golden chances from Kevin Parsemain before halftime. In the 32nd minute, the striker’s low effort was partially deflected by U.S. defender Justin Morrow before it rang off the right post. Twelve minutes later, the forward took advantage of a turnover at the back before powering a long-range effort that forced Brad Guzan into a diving stop.

In Wednesday night’s other Group B match, Panama came from behind to beat Nicaragua 2-1, leaving the U.S. level with Los Canaleros on four points.

Next on the Schedule: The U.S. MNT moves on to its 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup Group B finale when it facesNicaragua for the first time on Saturday, July 15 in Cleveland, Ohio. Kickoff from FirstEnergy Stadium is set for 7 p.m. ET and the match can be seen live on FXX, Univision and UDN. The game will follow a matchup between Panama and Martinique (4:30 p.m. ET on FS2, Univision and UDN), which will have big implications on what the U.S. needs to do in order to finish on top of the group.

Goal Scoring Rundown:
USA – Omar Gonzalez, 53rd minute: After a number of close calls, the U.S. finally broke through thanks to an unlikely candidate. Kellyn Acosta’s corner from the right was cleared at the near post, but fell for Paul Arriola outside the area. The winger fired a quick effort which Olimpa did well to block, but the rebound fell straight to Gonzalez who poked home from inside the six-yard box. The goal was the veteran defender’s second in a U.S. shirt and first since a 6-0 Gold Cup Quarterfinal win vs. Cuba on July 18, 2015. USA 1, MTQ 0 

USA – Jordan Morris (Gyasi Zardes), 76th minute: Throttled by the Martinique comeback, the U.S. pulled back ahead on a nice play just seconds later. Morris received the ball on the left and quickly slotted Zardes towards the end line. The LA Galaxy attacker strolled forward and rewarded Morris’ run with a pinpoint centering pass, which the young attacker smashed home from the center of the box for his second of the match. USA 3, MTQ 2 FINAL