The U.S. Men’s National Team’s goal of lifting the 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup continues on Sunday as they take on Curacao at Lincoln Financial Field.
The first-ever meeting between the two sides comes as the final quarterfinal on Sunday with the winner facing either Jamaica/Panama this week.
A 1-0 win over Panama saw Gregg Berhalter make 11 changes to his starting XI, with Jozy Altidore scoring his 42nd-career international goal. Christian Pulisic, Gyasi Zardes, and Tyler Boyd all appeared off the bench, but should be rearing to go should all three be in the starting plans.
Curacao finished as Group C runners-up in their first-ever Gold Cup, taking points from both Jamaica and Honduras. Former Premier League players Leandro Bacuna and Cuco Martina are the marquee names on the squad and will be two players to watch.
Seize the moment 👊💥
Your #USMNT Starting XI to take on 🇨🇼 in tonight's @GoldCup Knockout Round action! 🇺🇸
Lineup Notes 📰: https://t.co/gZPvLKHtqT pic.twitter.com/05zcoYDKEX
— U.S. Soccer MNT (@USMNT) June 30, 2019
The SBI editorial staff will be providing live commentary on this evening’s match so feel free to follow the action here. As always, you are welcome to share your own thoughts and opinions (NOT play-by-play commentary) in the comments section below.
Enjoy the match.
I like Curacao. That’s the third game I’ve seen them play this Gold Cup, fun team to watch. Bacuna played well, best on the field for me, and they solve pressure with an understanding from all what they’re trying to execute. The US pressure D was horrible and US lucky to escape, whereas the Curacao pressure D worked 2nd half, no adjustment to overcome it from the US seemed to me, would have to rewatch, but split the 2 CB wide with relief in the middle but all covered and forced to just hold on and play long. good game to just win baby. Steffen the game bal for me with that save on Bacuna’s screamer
FT: USMNT 1 – Curacao 0. The USMNT get the job done but honestly were outplayed in spells by Curacao. McKennie with the winner, Pulisic with the assist and Steffen with three saves in the clean sheet. Jamaica will be tougher for sure on Wednesday. Thanks for joining!
Omar Gonzalez on for Paul Arriola. 90+’
Definitely an unconvincing performance by the USMNT tonight. Curacao have played well and deserve more from this tbh.
Bradley shoots but it is easily gathered by Room. 90′
Bacuna’s effort was the best of the night for either side tbh. Steffen with his biggest save of the night.
back to 4 4 2 pressure., Curacao adjusts accordingly…….
Curacao final sub: Michael Maria on for Shermaine Martina. 81′
Kenji Gorre is replaced by van Kissel. A like for like replacement. 75′
Gino van Kessel is ready to come on for Curacao. 75′
GB switched the pressure D, 4 3 3 straight up, but no pressure on the ball and now the flanks are available in the outlet for Curacao; the US closes quickly with 3 men but it’s too slow and they are getting beat out of their pressure D. Maybe dump that for tonight?
Pulisic is dragged back by Elson Hooi who receives a yellow card. 71′
Curacao sub: Jurich Carolina on for Ayrton Statie. Statie had to be stretchered off. 69′
Tyler Boyd coming off for Jordan Morris. Boyd hasn’t been great tonight tbh but Morris hopefully will spark something. 63′
Gevaro Nepomuceno shoots but Steffen easily catches. 62′
Very rarely do you see Weston McKennie shrugged off the ball. Definitely looked frustrated after that duel defeat. 61′
The decline of the USMNT over the last couple of years has been astounding.
Pulisic rips a shot towards goal but it just misses the left post. He wants a corner but he isn’t going to get it. Goal kick. 57′
just like the first half, the first few minutes with some tempo and attack, then back to flat and slow and whatever it is going on. Curacao looking more confident, playing higher D, US losing the ball.
Zardes is down after catching a hand to the face from Bacuna. 55′
Bacuna tests his luck from outside of the box but its too high. 51′
McKennie looking lively to start, quicker play overall from US to start too. Better
Back underway as Tyler Boyd’s cross goes out for a goal kick. 47′
No urgency to shoot/close down players
No pressuring
No respect by Curacao (they are playing casually with the ball in THEIR OWN 18!!!!)
Slow transitioning
Slow pace in the midfield
bad first touches
bad passing
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WHAT IS GOING ON???? Second half better be different……
the tempo is too slow in attack and in transition. the pressure D is not working because Curacao know not to attack up the flanks out of the back becasue the US wants that, instead they just keep it central and play out with patience using Room back and Bacuna and Arias thru the middle, and have been dangerous once breaking the pressure too easily. Boyd with more turnovers than connected passes. McKennie scored but not his best half of soccer imo, looks tired, I don’t know. Pulisic, Bradley, Zimmerman making the plays, and Lima will need to keep lively as he’s been under attack, beaten a couple of times dangerously with the dribble. Key to second half is quicker tempo in attack and transition especially, my opinion
Second-half underway shortly at Lincoln Financial Field. Hope to see the USMNT put this game to bed sooner rather than later, but we shall see.
USMNT are so bad, it’s not even funny. A moment of brilliance from Pulisic, otherwise Curacao with the better chances. Disgraceful, this…
Darryl Lachman heads over. 42′
Great run from Bacuna who wins Curacao a corner. 41′
A lay off for Michael Bradley ends badly as he misses wide right. 36′
Shermaine Martina sees yellow after blocking off Pulisic on a fast break. 30′
After a couple step overs, Pulisic fires a cross and McKennie heads it in. 1-0 25′
U.S. trying to win possession back but Curacao doing a great job of holding onto the ball and if they lose it, they win it back quickly. 24′
Zimmerman was looking for a shot but instead crosses it back post towards Arriola. It was hit too hard and out for a goal kick. 20′
Curacao looks to spring but Bradley shuts it down. 19′
Walker Zimmerman plays a ball over the top and Boyd can only flick it to Room. 18′
Elson Hooi sends a cross in but it flies over the goal. 14′
Pulisic’s free kick goes over everyone and out for a Curacao throw-in. 10′
Cuco Martina holds off Pulisic well but eventually the ball goes out for a U.S. throw-in. 9′ #GoldCup2019 #USACHI
Eloy Room with a great save on Pulisic to force a corner. 4′
Pulisic with a great run but not a good effort. Misses wide. 2′
Almost an early scare for the USMNT but Aaron Long is able to clear. 2′
And we’re off from Philly! 1′
Wth is Bradley and Boyd doing out position. Switch those two and I am fine.
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———————–(1)Steffen—————————-
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(2)Lima–(5)Zimmerman—(23)Long—-(13)Ream
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———————–(4)Bradley—————————
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(21)Boyd—(8)McKennie—(10)Pulisic—-(7)Arriola
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————————(9)Zardes—————————-
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Thank goodness…..?
NOW LETS GO GET THE “W” ? !!!!!