U.S. earns narrow victory
Americans struggle against Martinique
TAMPA — In a closer-thanexpected match, the United States finally pulled ahead and closed out a 3-2 Gold Cup victory against Martinique late Wednesday night.
Forward Jordan Morris scored two goals to lead the Americans past their Group B opponent at Raymond James Stadium.
Morris scored the game-winner in the 76th minute off an assist from Gyasi Zardes.
After a less-than-impressive first half, the U.S. finally took a 1-0 lead in the 53rd minute thanks to Omar Gonzalez, who was positioned inches in front of the net when he received the ball and poked it past Martinique goalkeeper Emmanuel Vermignon.
The announced crowd of 23,368 rose to their feet cheering and let out a collective sigh of relief.
Morris, last year’s Major League Soccer Rookie of the Year who plays for the Seattle
Sounders, provided a reason for the cheers to continue by finishing in the 64th minute to give the U.S. a 2-0 lead.
Alejandro Bedoya started the goal-scoring sequence, playing the ball forward to Eric Lichaj on the right side of the box. Lichaj then found Morris right in front of the near post.
Two minutes later, Martinique’s Kevin Parsemaine stopped the Americans’ momentum with a curling shot that slipped between the post and a diving U.S. keeper Brad Guzan.
In the 75th minute, Martinique didn’t give up and found an unexpected equalizer, a rebound shot bouncing off Johan Audel, who still was on the ground after taking the initial shot that was blocked by Guzan.
Fans raised hands to their heads in disbelief, but the U.S. quickly rallied as Morris doubled his scoring tally.
The Americans needed the win after not starting the tournament the way they hoped, tying Panama 1-1 Saturday in Nashville. Martinique beat Nicaragua in its first match, a battle of two Group B underdogs. Les Matinino were not expected to win against any other teams in the group, with most of the team playing in lower-level professional leagues.
U.S. coach Bruce Arena kept his word, significantly rotating the roster. That meant U.S. players with local ties — Winter Park native Dax McCarty, Graham Zusi of Longwood and Dom Dwyer, who helped Orlando City win a title in its first United Soccer League stint — did not start in Wednesday’s match.
McCarty subbed on in the 86th minute for Juan Agudelo.
During an earlier Gold Cup match at Raymond James Stadium, Panama beat Nicaragua 2-1. All three goals were scored in the first 12 minutes of the second half. Two of the goals came within seconds of each other in the 49th and 50th minutes. Nicaragua struck first with a long ball from Carlos Chavarria that rocketed into the top right corner of the net.
Gabriel Torres immediately answered for Panama. His shot looked nearly identical to Chavarria's score but was struck from much closer, centered in the box.
Ismael Diaz scored the final goal in the 57th minute to give Panama the win.
Davies scores
Alphonso Davies started his first major international tournament with a bang. The 16-year-old Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder has scored three goals in Canada's first two games.
His two goals last Friday helped Canada beat French Guiana 4-2. On Tuesday, he scored a 26th minute firsttimer in Canada's 1-1 draw with Costa Rica.
Davies left the game after rolling his ankle in the second half.
Portland Timbers forward Darren Mattocks scored Jamaica's game-sealing goal in a 2-0 win over Curacao.
MLS took a two-week break during Gold Cup play, softening the blow of many of its top players competing in the tournament.