Today, the CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinal round begins with a doubleheader at the home of the Baltimore Ravens, M&T Bank Stadium. The USMNT face Cuba in the first knockout game at 5:00 p.m. ET, followed by Haiti facing Jamaica at 8:00 p.m. ET. The group stage was completed with the United States, Cuba, Haiti, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Panama, Mexico and Costa Rica advancing as the final eight teams. The other quarterfinal doubleheader is on Sunday, July 19th when Trinidad and Tobago faces Panama at 4:30 p.m. ET at MetLife Stadium, followed by a 7:30 p.m. ET matchup between Mexico and Costa Rica.
The road map for the USMNT started by defeating Honduras 2-1 behind Clint Dempsey’s two goals. In the following game against Haiti, Dempsey poured in another goal to give the United States a 1-0 victory. Having already secured the top spot of their group with the two victories, the United States were a little more flexible with their roster in their final group stage game against Panama. Still, the Americans defense looked leaky, ultimately resulting in a 1-1 draw. The USMNT have yet to put together a complete performance, and there would be no better time for them to put it all together when in the knockout stages of the tournament.
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Their opponent, Cuba, has been tough to figure out during this Gold Cup tournament. Aside from their roster issues due to traveling logistics, Cuba was routed 6-0 by Mexico in their opener and continued their poor play against Trinidad and Tobago, losing 2-0 in their second match. But, instead of folding up shop, Cuba scored an upset victory over Guatemala in the group finale to put the team through into the knockout stage.
As one would expect, the USMNT come into the match as huge favorites. The American side has outscored Cuba 19-2 in their last four matches, and even though they haven’t looked like world beaters during the tournament, they shouldn’t have to put together their best match to move forward into the semifinals.
The USMNT defense will be without one if its starting members, as center back John Brooks earned his second yellow card of the tournament in the Group A finale against Panama on Monday and is suspended for one match.
Cuba will pack it on defensively, so it will be up to the American side to solve the puzzle. Still, the United States has yet to put together a beautiful passing combination that has led to a goal, and it would be encouraging to see the thoroughly dominate a game.
USMNT head coach Jurgen Klinsmann has made three changes to his 23-man roster since group stage play ended. Jozy Altidore, Greg Garza and Alfredo Morales will not continue with the team, while veteran DaMarcus Beasley, Joe Corona and Alan Gordon have been added on. The winner of this matchup between the US and Cuba will face the winner of Saturday’s second quarterfinal between Haiti and Jamaica.