Concacaf Gold Cup 2019
USMNT secured a third consecutive win in Gold Cup group play, top the group and did not allow any goals. Jozy Altidore scored the only goal against Panama [1-0]. After two very concerning exhibition games, the US team finally put together a few good performances in a row.
Few Facts on USMNT win
With the win, the USA clinched the top spot in its Gold Cup group for the 14th time in 15 tournaments. Jozy Altidore earned his first start and collected his first goal since his brace in the USA’s 4-0 World Cup Qualifying win against Panama on Oct. 6, 2017. Altidore’s goal was the 42nd of his international career and fifth all-time in the Gold Cup. The +11 goal differential is the USA’s best in the Gold Cup group stage. The previous best mark came in 2013 when the team went +9 in matches against Belize, Cuba and Costa Rica.
Head coach Berhalter reacts
“I think everyone helped themselves tonight. When we think about the conditions, it was a very physical Panama team, very warm conditions, and I think the guys showed grit and determination.
The decision to start 11 new players was an easy one to be honest. We believe in the group, we believe in keeping the group together, we believe that everyone can contribute to this team for the team’s success, and we wanted to show that. The guys have been training really well and they deserved this opportunity.
It was warm and we wanted to go out and be aggressive, be attacking and get behind them and create goal scoring opportunities. But aside from that, especially when we scored, the guys can dig in, you see that they can keep fighting and that they can fight for each other, and that’s important and that goes a long way. The team spirit is really good right now, and it’s been fun to watch these guys develop.”
