Former Stanford star Jordan Morris scores twice in USA’s win

Jordan Morris’ second goal of the game broke a tie in the 76th minute, and the United States edged tiny Martinique 3-2 on Wednesday night in the CONCACAF Gold Cup after wasting a two-goal lead.

Failing to break through in the first half, the U.S. built a 2-0 lead on goals by Omar Gonzalez in the 53rd minute and Morris, the former Stanford star and MLS Rookie of the Year, in the 64th in the match played at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.

But Martinique, a French overseas department, tied the score on a pair of goals by Kevin Parsemain, the first a long-range shot that went past goalkeeper Brad Guzan on a bounce and the second a pass that hit Parsemain and went in on the deflection.

The U.S., which opened last weekend with a 1-1 tie against Panama, completes group play Saturday in Cleveland against Nicaragua, which lost to Panama 2-1 earlier Wednesday.

The Americans improved 5-0-5 since Bruce Arena returned for a second stint as national team coach, replacing Jurgen Klinsmann.

Using a mostly junior varsity lineup in the tournament, the U.S. leads Group B with four points, ahead of Panama on goal difference.

BLAZER DIES >> Chuck Blazer, the disgraced American soccer executive whose admissions of corruption set off a global scandal that ultimately toppled FIFA president Sepp Blatter, has died. He was 72. Blazer’s death was announced Wednesday by his lawyers, Eric Corngold and Mary Mulligan. At a November 2013 court hearing during which Blazer entered guilty pleas to federal charges, Blazer said he had rectal cancer, diabetes and coronary artery disease. Blatter was snared in the corruption scandal by a CONCACAF investigation released in 2013. The report said Blazer “misappropriated CONCACAF funds to finance his personal lifestyle.” Threatened with arrest, he then became a government informant.