Moore nets fastest goal as US pip Canada to reach Gold Cup knockout round
The USA and Mexico both won their groups in the CONCACAF Gold Cup on Sunday, scoring first half goals that stood as game winners and advancing to the knockout round of the tournament.
Shaquell Moore scored one of the fastest goals in national team history as the United States captured Group B by holding on to beat Canada 1-0 and Luis Alfonso Rodriquez scored in the 26th minute as Mexico edged El Salvador by the same score to claim Group A.
Moore, in his first international goal, scored just 20 seconds into the contest and ‘keeper Mat Turner made three second half saves in Kansas City as the US finished 3-0 in group play, needing a victory to claim top spot over runner-up Canada.
Moore hammered a right-footed shot from close range to the centre of the goal ater taking a pass from Sebastian Lletget.
In the 2014 World Cup, Clint Dempsey scored 30 seconds in for the United States against Ghana.
The inexperienced American squad will play the runner-up from Group C in the quarter-finals while Canada, who needed just a tie to win the group, are set to square off against the Group C winner.
The clubs had split their last two games coming into Sunday’s match at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas.
Moore’s first minute goal was all the US would need but Canada made the hosts work for the win, especially in the second half when they kept Turner busy.
The Americans failed to muster a shot on goal against Canadian goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau in the second half. The Canadians, who had more corners three to one, were trying to win on US soil for the first time since 1957.
US coach Gregg Berhalter is using a mostly junior varsity roster for the Gold Cup. Top players such as Christian Pulisic, Weston Mckennie, Tyler Adams and Zack Steffen will be on hand in when the U.S. hosts Canada in a World Cup qualifier on Sept. 5 at Nashville, Tennessee.
While Berhalter started two forwards in Daryl Dike and Gyasi Zardes, Canada dominated possession and had more scoring chances. Still, the US improved to 38 wins, one loss and four draws in the Gold Cup group stage.
Mexico came out on top in a back and forth and tightly contested match in Dallas to win the group with seven points from their three matches. El Salvador setled for runner-up with two wins and one loss for six points.
Rodriguez scored by charging down the right side, where he took a pass from teammate Hector Herrera then made a cut and launched a hard shot that deflected off another player before hiting the back of the goal.
Meanwhile, Trinidad and Tobago and Guatemala shared the spoils, drawing 1-1 in their final match of the tournament.
Ater an injury during warm-ups, Trinidad and Tobago were forced to adjust their lineup, replacing defender Neveal Hackshaw with Jelani Peters.
In the 12th minute, Trinidad and Tobago right back Alvin Jones rampaged up the field on a quick counteratack then crossed to Reon Moore. Moore made a run on the right side of the goal and hit a hard, low shot past young Guatemalan goalkeeper Kenderson Navarro that found the goalpost and bounced in for the goal.
Atempting to manage the game, Trinidad and Tobago showed patience, especially in allowing Guatemala to take rushed shots from outside, but closing them down effectively and at times physically when any players entered the box.
In the second half, as Guatemala fought harder to find the equalizer, Trinidad and Tobago’s defense cracked under the pressure from Guatemala in the 77th minute, when Ceballos served in a corner kick. Gerardo Gordillo rose high in the box to meet the ball, heading it in well past Marvin Phillip, the Trinidad and Tobago goalkeeper and captain.
Moore, in his first international goal, scored just 20 seconds into the contest and ‘keeper Turner made three second half saves in Kansas City as the US edged Canada to claim top spot in the group