2025 Gold Cup Recaps: USA Routs T&T, Saudis Hold Off Haiti, Costa Rica Wins Wild Nightcap Over Suriname
A Sunday tripleheader saw the USMNT end a four game losing streak, the Saudis scrambled their way to a win, and Costa Rica with a late walk off stoppage time penalty.
With one match in Group A and both Group D matches taking place, half of the Gold Cup teams now have their first result with three teams joining Saturday’s winner Mexico on three points.
UNITED STATES 5, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO 0
Mauricio Pochettino and the USMNT needed a big performance in their Gold Cup opener and they got exactly that.
Malik Tillman scored the American’s first two goals, East Hartford’s Patrick Agyemang tallied a third before halftime, and then substitutes Brendan Aaronson and Haji Wright capped off the afternoon with two late strikes to cap off a much needed victory to end a four-game losing streak.
On top of Tillman’s two goal performance, wingers Diego Luna and Jack McGlynn were also tremendous, combining for a total of three assists amidst a number of dangerous crosses between them as the USA was able to put Trinidad under constant pressure early with the Soca Warriors having difficulties maintaining possession. Luna setting up the second US goal by intercepting a simple backpass and centering to a wide open Tillman.
The USMNT did not feature midfielders Tyler Adams (injury) or Johnny Cardoso (injury) so we’ll see how Pochettino works them into the lineup after a solid outing from Luca de la Torre and Sebastian Berhalter in the center holding roles.
Marvin Phillip (6 saves) and the T&T defense did what they could to stem the tide as the USA put up 21 total shots with 11 on target. USA’s Matt Freese was credited with two saves in his first international victory and shutout.
SAUDI ARABIA 1, HAITI 0
A first half penalty was all the offense Saudi Arabia needed to win their Gold Cup debut.
Haiti was on the front foot in the opening stages, taking advantage of some Saudi miscues at the back and some questionable off-the-line play from keeper Nawaf Al-Aqidi (4 saves).
However, there was no doubt on the penalty call in the 18th minute as Haiti’s Frantzdy Pierrot grabbed a handful of Saleh Al Shehri’s jersey and hauled him down in the box before Al Shehri stepped up to the spot himself and dispatched the eventual winner.
Both teams had chances to score, Saudi Arabia thinking they had a second near the half hour mark only for the offside flag to come up. A breakaway at the hour mark saw Johnny Placide (three saves) make a backpedaling effort to deny Marwan Al Sahafi’s contested shot. Ziyad Al Johani’s 78th-minute close-range effort was perhaps the Saudi’s best chance of the night, only to be denied by the strong outstretched palm of Placide.
Haiti on the other hand, was largely wasteful with a 5-for-13 shooting performance. Pierrot thought he had an equalizer in the 80th only for the flag to deny Haiti as he was well ahead of the breakaway run. Saudi centerback Abdulelah Al-Amri shut down a stoppage time chance on Pierrot to ensure the shutout.
Overall, Haiti did prove their attacking group is dangerous, and they generated 11 corners on the day as well, but they weren’t able to break through once the Saudi’s settled down and grew into the game. Haiti now faces a must win against T&T while Saudi Arabia can take control of Group D by beating the USA.
COSTA RICA 4, SURINAME 3
Group A is fun. Just watch all the goals, this game was great. Absolute stonewall penalty deep into stoppage time to give the Ticos all three points though a point apiece would’ve done just fine here.
Costa Rica was nearly undone by a slow start to the second half, allowing the tying and go-ahead goals five minutes apart before being rescued by substitute Josimar Alcocer in the 76th and Manfred Ugalde dispatching his second penalty of the game in officially the thirteenth minute of stoppage time.
Suriname’s Shaquille Pinas nearly played the hero by converting a penalty in the 64th after VAR intervened and awarded a handball against Costa Rica’s Orlando Galo. Alcocer’s put-back effort in the 76th made things level before the go-ahead penalty.
GROUP UPDATES
Both the USA and Saudi Arabia go to the top of Group D with their wins, the Americans with the significant goal difference edge at the moment. Group D continues on Thursday, June 19 with Trinidad-Haiti at 6:45 PM from Houston, TX and Saudi Arabia-USA at 9:15 PM from Austin, TX.
Costa Rica joins Mexico with three points atop Group A. Their next matches are Wednesday June 18 with Costa Rica-Dominican Republic at 7 PM and Suriname-Mexico at 10 PM, both from Arlington, TX.