Weston McKennie Dismissed from USMNT Roster After Violation of COVID-19 Protocols
Sep 6, 2021
Weston McKennie warms up during soccer practice for the U.S. Men's National Team Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
United States men's national team midfielder Weston McKennie will not play in the team's upcoming World Cup qualifier against Honduras after violating the team's COVID-19 protocols.
USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter provided more information in a statement Monday:
Weston will return to Italy and will be unavailable for the match against Honduras due to a violation of team policy. There are high expectations for those who are a part of the U.S. Men’s National Team, and in order to be successful it’s important that everyone in the group is accountable.
McKennie already missed the squad's match against Canada due to a suspension, which he apologized for on social media:
Weston McKennie apologizes after being suspended for tonight’s match due to violating COVID protocol pic.twitter.com/cwvqOb0LJb
McKennie played all 90 minutes in the team's 0-0 draw against El Salvador on Thursday—the first World Cup qualifying match of the round.
Though specifics about the violation are not currently public, McKennie has previously been penalized for breaking COVID-19 protocols. The Juventus player also reportedly held a party in April at his house in Turin, Italy, against local restrictions, resulting in a fine.
The 23-year-old is one of the most prominent members of Team USA, entering World Cup qualifying with 24 caps and seven goals. Christian Pulisic was the only player on the roster with more international goals.
McKennie is coming off a big year at the club level, moving to Juventus last summer before scoring five goals with two assists in 34 Serie A matches in 2020-21.
Losing a proven player like this could set the Americans back even further after a disappointing start to qualifying, especially with Sergino Dest also unavailable with an ankle injury. Jackson Yueill was added to the roster Monday, although Tyler Adams, Kellyn Acosta and Sebastian Lleget might get the first crack at increased playing time in the midfield.
USMNT vs. Canada: World Cup Qualifying Odds, Time, Live Stream and TV Schedule
Sep 5, 2021
DENVER, CO - JUNE 06: United States defender John Brooks (6) dribbles the ball in action during the CONCACAF Nations League finals between Mexico and the United States on June 06, 2021, at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, CO. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The United States men's national team plays its first home game of Concacaf World Cup qualifying Sunday against one of the rising nations in the men's game.
The USMNT welcomes Canada to Nissan Stadium in Nashville for its only home match of the September international break.
Gregg Berhalter's squad picked up a 0-0 draw in El Salvador on Thursday to kick off the 14-match octagonal round, from which the top three will advance to the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
With three games in less than a week, squad rotation and depth come into play for Sunday's clash against Canada and Wednesday's trip to Honduras. For example, first-choice center back John Brooks was kept out of the starting lineup Thursday so he will be fresh for Sunday's showdown.
The U.S. could be without Christian Pulisic and Zack Steffen for a second straight game. Pulisic is working back to fitness after a positive COVID-19 test while at Chelsea, and Steffen is dealing with a back issue.
USMNT vs. Canada Info
Date: Sunday, September 5
Start Time: 8 p.m. ET
TV: FS1
Live Stream: FoxSports.com and Fox Sports app
Odds (via DraftKings Sportsbook): USMNT -185 (bet $185 to win $100); Canada +475 (bet $100 to win $475); draw +280
Preview
The goal is simple for the USMNT on Sunday: earn three points.
If the Americans win 95 percent of their home games and pick up some results on the road, like they did in El Salvador, they should be in a terrific position to advance to Qatar.
Canada put itself in an unfavorable spot out of the gates, drawing with Honduras in Toronto on Thursday.
Mexico was the only team to win its octagonal opener, beating Jamaica 2-1. Panama and Costa Rica played to a scoreless draw in the other match.
El Tri visits Costa Rica on Sunday, Jamaica hosts Panama and El Salvador welcomes Honduras toEstadio Cuscatlan. With Mexico on the road in a tough spot, the USMNT could move level on points with its top continental rival through a victory on home soil.
However, it appears that the U.S. will have to beat its rival to the north without its first-choice goalkeeper or its top playmaker at full strength. Steffen is dealing with back spasms that will keep him out for the second straight contest. Pulisic did not travel to El Salvador as he works to regain fitness after testing positive for COVID-19.
New England Revolution goalkeeper Matt Turner should be handed the No. 1 shirt once again Sunday. He earned a clean sheet Thursday and in the USMNT's most recent clash with Canada in the Concacaf Gold Cup group stage on July 18.
Turner's club teammate Tajon Buchanan, who recently inked a deal with Club Brugge that starts after the end of the MLS season, is one of Canada's top threats. Bayern Munich's Alphonso Davies and Buchanan should test the USMNT's biggest area of weakness at full back.
Sergino Dest will likely be moved over to right back by Berhalter after he struggled at left back in the scoreless draw with El Salvador. That could allow Antonee Robinson to slide into the starting XI to deal with Buchanan's pace. Dest would be matched up with Davies if he starts in his natural right back slot.
A fresh Brooks should help the USMNT deal with Davies, Buchanan and Cyle Larin in Nashville.
The logical partner for Brooks would be Nashville SC's Walker Zimmerman, who has experience playing on the Nissan Stadium pitch. Zimmerman was an unused substitute in El Salvador. However, Berhalter may call on Miles Robinson for the second straight game. Robinson earned his call-up through a fantastic July at the Gold Cup.
The other concern for the USMNT is where the goals come from. Josh Sargent was not great Thursday and the U.S. needs sharpness in the final third to finish off any significant chances.
Berhalter likely went with Sargent against El Salvador because he is the most experienced forward in the group. If there is a willingness to start someone with fewer international caps, Jordan Pefok could lead the line. Pefok burst on to the USMNT radar with a double-digit scoring effort for Young Boys last season.
The U.S. has plenty of attacking talent on its roster, but most of the other forward options are better suited in wing positions or behind the main striker.
Regardless of who plays up top, the Americans need to find a way to score. Getting a win would allow them to head to Honduras with a good amount of confidence.
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USMNT Opens 2022 World Cup Qualifying with Scoreless Draw vs. El Salvador
Sep 3, 2021
AUSTIN, TX - JULY 29: United States defender Miles Robinson (12) looks for a teammate to pass the ball to during the Gold Cup semifinal match between the United States and Qatar on Thursday July 29th, 2021 at Q2 stadium in Austin,TX. (Photo by Nick Tre. Smith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Four years ago, the United States men's national team shockingly failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. On Thursday night, a squad of fresh-faced talents started on the path to redemption.
It was a... mediocre start.
The United States traveled to El Salvador and left with a scoreless draw in a game that was a bit of a slog to watch, as neither team managed much in the way of consistent chances.
The first half was a rather sloppy affair, with the United States buzzing for the first 10 minutes before El Salvador came into the game and mucked things up a bit. Much of the half was scrappier than Gregg Berhalter would have preferred for his possession-based system.
The U.S. did have the best chance of the first 45, however, as Miles Robinson put his free header in the box off a set piece just over the crossbar.
The second half wasn't much better, as Berhalter's suite of substitutions didn't change the game's flow or find it any better to break down El Salvador's resolute defending.
Kellyn Acosta had the best chance of the second half for either side:
Granted, the United States was without its best player, Christian Pulisic. And they got a point on the road, keeping a clean sheet in a tough environment. The long view is that it wasn't a terrible result.
That's a good result for the U.S.🇺🇸 1st road game in 9, a lot of debutants who now have a WCQ game under belt. Would it be crazy if I said Tim Ream was the MVP tonight?
Not great. But not bad. Plenty of #USMNT players were whacking their way through the CONCACAF jungle for the first time. So mission (sorta) accomplished - although a couple guys certainly need to be better. Home wins + Road draws gets you to a World Cup
But a team full of young talent—many of whom ply their trade at top European clubs—was expected to do better.
Perhaps most emblematic of the struggles of such players was Sergino Dest, playing at left-back instead of his normal position on the right. While he presents a threat going forward given his pace and inability to beat defenders one-on-one, he was a huge liability in defense, to the point that it's fair to question if he's the right type of fullback for a back-4 system.
I don't think you can start Sergino Dest, I don't know what to say. He just doesn't fit right. Leaving a guy out who starts for Barcelona sounds crazy, but it's a fluid situation.
But it wasn't just Dest. Gio Reyna and Brendan Aaronson failed to make a major impact in attack. The USMNT in general seemed to lose its flow in the final third, lingering on the ball too long as two defenders seemed to form a wall in front of every attacker who pushed the play out wide. The snappy, incisive passing that got the United States through the midfield seemed to wane as they neared the danger areas.
Of course, CONCACAF qualifiers on the road aren't for the faint of heart. The El Salvadoran crowd was bumping. A number of hard fouls went uncalled. El Salvador deserves credit for executing a game plan that seemed intent on creating a wall in defense and occasionally threatening on the counter.
There was also this moment for Gio Reyna:
Gio Reyna getting his first experience of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying for the USMNT 😳 pic.twitter.com/SXF7ViuYqE
BTW, this is how road games in CONCACAF are supposed to look like. Many were under impression our guys were gonna show up from Europe and run circles. That's not how it works. #SLVvUSA
These are the types of games the young Americans need to learn how to win. These are the environments they need to learn how to navigate. There is enormous talent for the USMNT, more promise than perhaps any previous generation could boast.
But four years after failing to reach the World Cup, most United States soccer fans are more concerned with the present than the future. They won't be thrilled with what they saw Thursday night, point on the road or not.
USMNT vs. El Salvador: World Cup Qualifying Odds, Time, Live Stream, TV Schedule
Sep 2, 2021
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 25: Matt Turner #30 of the MLS All-Stars reacts after making a save against the Liga MX All-Stars in a shootout during the 2021 MLS All-Star game at Banc of California Stadium on August 25, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
The United States men's national team begins its World Cup qualification process on Thursday in El Salvador.
Thursday's match kicks off a six-month, 14-match process in which the top three CONCACAF teams will automatically qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The fourth-place team goes into an inter-continental playoff.
The goal for Gregg Berhalter's side is to finish inside the top three and avoid the disaster of the last qualification cycle.
The USMNT has a ton of European-based players at its disposal, but two will be missing for the opening match of the "Octagonal" against El Salvador.
Goalkeeper Zack Steffen and midfielder Christian Pulisic did not travel to Central America. Steffen is dealing with back spasms, while Pulisic is day-to-day after he tested positive for COVID-19 while with Chelsea.
USMNT vs. El Salvador Info
Date: Thursday, September 2
Start Time: 10:05 p.m. ET
TV: CBS Sports Network
Live Stream: Paramount Plus
Odds (per DraftKings Sportsbook): USMNT (-230; bet $230 to win $100); El Salvador (+550; bet $100 to win $550); Draw (+340)
Preview
Losing Steffen and Pulisic for the first match of World Cup qualifying is a blow to the USMNT, but it should be able to handle their absences.
Matt Turner was confirmed as Steffen's replacement in goal. He has had a fantastic summer with the New England Revolution in Major League Soccer and at the CONCACAF Gold Cup with the national side.
Turner beat out Ethan Horvath, who was the hero in penalty kicks in the CONCACAF Nations League final, for the starting gig on Thursday.
Pulisic's absence was more expected since he tested positive prior to Chelsea's last English Premier League match before the international break.
Berhalter has a handful of options to plug into the midfield, but he may opt for a more conservative approach since the USMNT is on the road.
The MLS-based duo of Cristian Roldan and Sebastian Lletget could be called upon in midfield to provide two-way ability to the USMNT setup.
If the Americans want to be more aggressive, Brenden Aaronson, who scored a few goals in UEFA Champions League qualifying for RB Salzburg, could be called upon to set up chances behind the starting forward.
The USMNT does not have to win on Thursday. The ideal strategy in WCQ is to win every home game and pick up a handful of points on the road.
The target number for points to qualify for the World Cup will be altered from the last cycle since the number of teams in the final qualifying stage moved from six to eight.
El Salvador was one of three teams that needed to go through the first two rounds of qualifying to reach the final stage.
Thursday's host went 3-0-1 in a group with Montserrat, Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada and the U.S. Virgin Islands to reach a playoff against Saint Kitts and Nevis, which it won 6-0.
The majority of El Salvador's players ply their trade in the domestic league. Alex Roldan of the Seattle Sounders and Toronto FC's Eriq Zavaleta are the two MLS players in the squad.
Roldan could line up against his brother, Cristian. Alex Roldan chose to play for El Salvador in June. Cristian Roldan has been a part of the USMNT setup for a few years.
Thursday's match is the first of three games in the next week that kick off qualifying for the USMNT. The Americans return to home soil to play Canada in Nashville, Tennessee, on Sunday, and they visit Honduras on Wednesday.
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Christian Pulisic Ruled Out for USMNT's World Cup Qualifier vs. El Salvador
Sep 1, 2021
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 14: Christian Pulisic of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge on August 14, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images)
Chelsea star Christian Pulisic will not play for the United States men's national team in its World Cup qualifier against El Salvador on Thursday.
According to The Athletic, Pulisic did not travel to the Central American nation on Wednesday after he announced he tested positive for COVID-19 on Aug. 18.
The midfielder said at the time that he was fully vaccinated and experienced no symptoms associated with his diagnosis.
The Athletic noted that Pulisic isolated for 10 days, cleared protocols and trained with the USMNT on Monday and Tuesday, but the decision was still made to hold him out of Thursday's CONCACAF match.
While the 22-year-old is the USMNT's best player and represents a significant loss, his absence shouldn't have much of a bearing on the result in San Salvador.
The U.S. is ranked 10th in the world in the FIFA men's soccer rankings, while El Salvador is way down in 64th, which is seventh among the eight CONCACAF teams in qualifying.
The Americans have never lost a match to El Salvador and have won each of their past five meetings, including a 6-0 win in a friendly last December in Florida.
It is also notable that the USMNT has enjoyed some success without Pulisic and other top players recently. It won the Gold Cup last month, beating Mexico in the final with what was considered a B team.
Still, U.S. soccer fans are undoubtedly excited to see the dynamic Pulisic back in red, white and blue soon.
Pulisic has 16 goals in 38 career appearances for the senior national team, and he has starred at the club level as well at both Borussia Dortmund and Chelsea.
The Pennsylvania native scored in his only EPL appearance so far this season and has totaled 37 goals across all competitions for the German and British powers.
Leaving Pulisic back in Tennessee to train could be the team's best bet in terms of ensuring he is good to go for the other upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
After Thursday's match against El Salvador, the Americans will host Canada on Sunday in Nashville and go back on the road to face Honduras next Wednesday.
Christian Pulisic Out vs. Arsenal After Testing Positive for COVID-19
Aug 20, 2021
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 14: Christian Pulisic of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge on August 14, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images)
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel announced
United States international Christian Pulisic will miss Sunday's
Premier League match against Arsenal after testing positive for
COVID-19.
"Unfortunately, [he] had a positive test
and needs to follow the protocols," Tuchel told reporters Friday. "He's not been training and is not available for the game."
Pulisic started the Blues' Premier
League opener against Crystal Palace on Saturday. He played 82 minutes and scored
a goal as part of the club's convincing 3-0 win.
He posted a statement on his Instagram story saying he's fully vaccinated and hasn't dealt with any coronavirus symptoms so far:
Pulisic posts on IG that he’s fully vaccinated and isn’t experiencing any symptoms after testing positive for Covid-19 earlier this week. pic.twitter.com/q1ygT2PAjG
His strong start to the campaign for
Chelsea came after a summer where he led the USMNT to the Nations
League championship with a clutch 114th-minute penalty kick to beat
rival Mexico in June.
The 22-year-old Pennsylvania native's
positive COVID-19 test result comes less than two weeks before the U.S.
kicks off World Cup qualifying. The U.S. is scheduled to face El Salvador on
Sept. 2 followed by fixtures against Canada on Sept. 5 and Honduras
on Sept. 8.
Although the U.S. national team
showcased some impressive depth by also winning the Gold Cup earlier
this month with what amounted to its "B" team, being without Pulisic
for the qualifiers would be a major setback for the side as it
attempts to exorcise demons from missing the 2018 World Cup.
Chelsea has one more match, an Aug. 28
clash with Liverpool, before the three-match international break.
Tuchel didn't provide an update on the winger's potential
availability beyond Sunday.
Pulisic faced transfer speculation
following the 2020-21 season, during which he played an unsteady role
for the Blues, but he told ESPN FC's James Olley in May he was
focused on earning a more consistent spot in the club's starting XI.
"People have always doubted and
said: 'Oh, he's not playing. Does he want to go here, does he want to
go there?' I'm always up for a challenge, I love competing, I love
the position I'm in, and I'm enjoying my time here," he said.
Hakim Ziyech, who's recovered from a
shoulder injury, is among the options to replace Pulisic in the
Chelsea lineup against Arsenal.
Miles Robinson's Late Goal in Extra Time Lifts USA Past Mexico in 2021 Gold Cup Final
Aug 2, 2021
USA's defender Miles Robinson heads the ball during the Concacaf Gold Cup football match final between Mexico and USA at the Allegiant stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada on August 1, 2021. (Photo by Patrick T. FALLON / AFP) (Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)
For the full 90 minutes of regulation in Sunday's Gold Cup final between the United States and Mexico, the match was defined by missed opportunities.
His 117th-minute goal on Kellyn Acosta's brilliant free kick was the difference in the United States' 1-0 win in yet another entertaining and intense—if sloppy—entry in this CONCACAF rivalry. Would you expect anything less when these two teams meet?
It was fitting that Robinson—who helped lead a stout defense throughout the tournament—ended the deadlock.
Miles Robinson SHOULD BE the Gold Cup Player of the Tournament. Periodt.
The #USMNT defense posted five shutouts and didn't allow a goal in the run of play, and Robinson was a HUGE reason for that.
"We were focusing a lot on set pieces," Robinson said after the game on the FS1 broadcast. "I knew if I could get open, get a half-step, I could finish one. Kellyn put a perfect ball in, so I had to finish it."
"I'm happy we got the W. That's all I can say." 🇺🇸
Robinson may have missed out on being named Player of the Tournament, but Matt Turner won Goalkeeper of the Tournament. The 27-year-old was an obvious selection because of his dominance.
This was a performance the USMNT and its fans won't soon forget, in large part because the squad that took the field for the Gold Cup was missing many of the country's best players. It was largely a second- and third-choice United States versus a Mexico side comprised of many of its best veterans.
Suffice to say, it was a gritty showing by the young Americans, who displayed immense heart and poise to win an extra-time showdown against their bitter rival.
Pretty impressive from #USMNT to win this Gold Cup given the lack of experience and the absence of key figures in this group.
WHAT a performance by this #USMNT squad. Facing the favored Mexicans, boasting its strong squad of European-based stars, this young USA side stepped up and knocked off El Tri.
A clean sweep of trophies this summer sure does suggest there's a new king of Concacaf.
It can't be overstated just how many good chances each side failed to capitalize on, however. Mexico controlled possession, peppering the United States with dangerous opportunities. The Stars and Stripes came into the game in the second half, posing a major threat on the counterattack.
All's well that ends well for the United States, which won its second consecutive final over Mexico for the first time in history. It also won the CONCACAF Nations League final over El Tri in June.
As for Mexico, well, there will be major questions to answer. Heated as this rivalry may be, there's no shame in losing to a USMNT with its full complement of stars. But losing to a largely unproven collection of American players?
Well, that can't be framed as anything less than a major disappointment.
USMNT vs. Qatar: 2021 Gold Cup Odds, Live Stream and Schedule
Jul 29, 2021
United States midfielder Sebastian Lletget (17) and goalkeeper Matt Turner (1) celebrate after their team's 1-0 win against Jamaica in a CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinals soccer match, Sunday, July 25, 2021, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)
The United States men's national team faces an unfamiliar foe Thursday in the Concacaf Gold Cup semifinals.
Qatar was invited to the competition as a guest team and worked its way into the semifinals to set up its first-ever clash with the USMNT.
Gregg Berhalter's team is using its second-string roster to navigate the Gold Cup, and it has done a decent job. The Americans have conceded a single goal in four matches and ground out a trio of 1-0 results, including the quarterfinal triumph over Jamaica.
On the other hand, Qatar has been involved in more wide-open matches since at least two goals have been scored in each of its four matches.
Qatar got into the final four by way of a 3-2 win over El Salvador. The 2019 AFC Asian Cup champion has let up five goals in its four games to this point.
USMNT vs. Qatar Info
Date: Thursday, July 29
Start Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
TV: FS1 (TV coverage begins at 7 p.m. ET)
Live Stream: Fox Sports app and FoxSports.com.
Odds (via DraftKings Sportsbook): USMNT -105 (bet $105 to win $100); Qatar +320 (bet $100 to win $320); Draw (+245)
Preview
Although Qatar is not viewed as an international powerhouse, it has come up with some impressive results over the past few years.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup host captured the 2019 Asian Cup and has held its own versus some of the better North American sides at the Gold Cup in Panama, Honduras and El Salvador.
On Thursday, however, the Qataris will face a step up in competition against one of the confederation's top two sides.
The USMNT has not done anything flashy to reach the final four, but it has been strong in defense to make up for its lackluster attacking output.
Berhalter's men waited until the 83rd minute to find the breakthrough against Jamaica by way of the head of Matthew Hoppe, who is one of the few European-based players on the Gold Cup squad.
The mainly MLS-based players are fighting for spots on the back end of the depth chart for the start of World Cup qualifying in September. Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams and others will be available then, but with three games in the qualifying windows, the USMNT needs to have 23 strong players to pull out results.
Goalkeeper Matt Turner is trying to bridge the gap between himself and Zack Steffen for the No. 1 shirt. The New England Revolution man has three clean sheets at the Gold Cup.
Center backs Miles Robinson and James Sands have impressed in front of Turner over the past four games. Both players threw their names into contention for the second starting spot on the first team with Aaron Long out with an Achilles injury.
Robinson and Sands have other competition to start next to John Brooks, but they are both making a case to be included in the WCQ squad.
Hoppe, Daryl Dike and Gyasi Zardes are all fighting to be among the forwards selected in September. Each player has displayed flashes of brilliance throughout the tournament. However, none of them have taken a commanding hold on the top striker spot.
If one of the forwards thrives against Qatar and in the Gold Cup final, he could pave his path into the September roster alongside Josh Sargent, Jozy Altidore and others.
The key for the Americans on Thursday will be to get on the front foot early. Qatar scored twice in the first eight minutes against El Salvador, and it scored four first-half goals in the group stage. If the USMNT absorbs the early pressure from Qatar and works into the game in the attacking zone, it should create enough chances to pull ahead.
If Qatar's trend of scoring early continues, the USMNT will be forced to play from behind, which could benefit the young squad in its development, but the host side will hope that the match does not reach that point.
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USMNT vs. Canada: 2021 Gold Cup Odds, Live Stream and Schedule
Jul 18, 2021
KANSAS CITY, KS - JULY 15: Daryl Dike #11 of the United States scores a goal and celebrates during a game between Martinique and USMNT at Children's Mercy Park on July 15, 2021 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by John Dorton/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
The United States men's national team and Canada will play for first place in Group B at the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup on Sunday.
Both squads have already advanced to the knockout stages by winning their first two games over Haiti and Martinique.
Canada holds a slight advantage over the USMNT in Group B thanks to scoring one more goal during its two wins.
The USMNT needs a win to top the group and likely avoid Mexico until the championship match. A draw or a win by Canada puts it into the final eight as the Group B victor.
USMNT vs. Canada Info
Date: Sunday, July 18
Start Time: 5 p.m. ET
TV: Fox
Live Stream: FoxSports.com and Fox Sports app
Odds (via DraftKings Sportsbook): USMNT -140 (bet $140 to win $100); Canada +500 (bet $100 to win $500); draw (+245)
Preview
The USMNT and Canada did what they were expected to do in the Group B clashes with Haiti and Martinique.
Canada put eight goals past its first two opponents. Besiktas striker Cyle Larin bagged three of those tallies and is tied with Honduras' Romell Quioto for the Golden Boot lead.
John Herdman's side is powered by a handful of MLS players, including Toronto FC's Jonathan Osorio and Tajon Buchanan of the New England Revolution.
The duo will be vital in stopping the USMNT inside Children's Mercy Park in Kansas City. Osorio will be tasked with shutting down the American presence on the ball in midfield. Buchanan, meanwhile, can surge forward on the wing to cause trouble for the USMNT defenders and could be key in stemming the moves from the home side on the flank.
USMNT manager Gregg Berhalter utilized two different lineups to earn six points from the first two Group B games. On Thursday, Gianluca Busio, Daryl Dike and Eryk Williamson were inserted into the starting XI.
Dike is one of the most in-form players in the tournament. He scored twice against Martinique after entering the Gold Cup off a fantastic loan spell at English Championship side Barnsley. Dike could be paired with Gyasi Zardes to bring form and experience to the USMNT's strike force against its toughest opponent yet.
Busio and Williamson played well as a midfield duo versus Martinique, but they might not be back on the field together versus Canada. Berhalter could give Jackson Yueill one more shot to impress in the middle of the park. The San Jose Earthquakes man had a disappointing performance against Haiti that allowed Busio and Williamson to start in the second group game.
No matter when Busio enters the pitch, more eyes will be on him. Journalist Fabrizio Romano reported Saturday that the midfielder is on the move to Venezia in Serie A from Sporting Kansas City.
At the back, a trio of Walker Zimmerman, Miles Robinson and James Sands could work to fend off Larin and Co.
Each of the center backs is fighting for a roster spot for September's FIFA World Cup qualifiers. The second game of that set is against Canada in Nashville on September 5.
With Aaron Long out with an Achilles injury, the spot next to John Brooks is open. If Zimmerman, Robinson and Sands continue to play well, they can push up the depth chart.
Sunday will present the first significant defensive test for those players since, unlike Haiti and Martinique, most of Canada's roster has MLS experience or equal playing experience to the Americans.
The reward for the Group B winner could be avoiding Concacaf powerhouse Mexico until the final, but that is dependent on El Tri beating El Salvador at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas on Sunday night. Mexico is two points behind El Salvador in Group A.
The Group B winner will take on the Group C runner-up, either Costa Rica or Jamaica, in the quarterfinals July 25. The Group B runner-up faces the Group C winner on the same date at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
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United States Tops Martinique 6-1, Clinches Spot in 2021 Gold Cup Quarterfinals
Jul 16, 2021
U.S. forward Daryl Dike (11) celebrates with Cristian Roldan (10) and Gianluca Busio (6) after scoring a goal in the first half of the team's CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer match against Martinique in Kansas City, Kan., Thursday, July 15, 2021. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
Daryl Dike's two goals propelled the United States men's national soccer team to a 6-1 win over Martinique in CONCACAF Gold Cup group play on Thursday evening in Kansas City's Children's Mercy Park.
With the win, the United States clinched a top-two spot in Group B, thereby earning a place in the Gold Cup knockout stage. Martinique has been eliminated from knockout round contention.
The United States dominated all aspects of this match, amassing 12 shots on goal to Martinique's five and earning 65 percent possession. The U.S. also had 14 corner kicks to Martinique's zero.
The United States started rolling in the 14th minute after a sensational cross from Matthew Hoppe found its way to Dike, who buried the header.
— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) July 16, 2021
Dike didn't get credit for the second goal, but his involvement led to the 2-0 lead.
The United States ramped up the pressure on Martinique, which failed to clear the ball from its own end. George Bello gets the credit for that effort, and the ball found its way to Hoppe before being sent in Gianluca Busio's direction.
Busio then fired a laser off the crossbar that found its way to Dike, who attempted to send the ball over the goal line.
Instead, Martinique defender Samuel Camille scored an own goal while attempting to clear the ball, leading to a 2-0 United States edge in the 23rd minute.
Here's our second of the night and it really is a team effort! 🇺🇸
Bello ➡️ Hoppe ➡️ Busio ➡️ CROSSBAR ➡️ Dike ➡️ Own goal.
— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) July 16, 2021
Dike was credited with the goal before it was changed to an own goal.
The USMNT took a 2-0 halftime lead, and its relentless attack didn't take long to ramp up in the beginning of the second half, with Eryk Williamson's cross finding Miles Robinson for the team's third score:
— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) July 16, 2021
It also didn't take Dike long to get his brace for real.
A pass to Cristian Roldan was quickly returned to the Orlando City SC star, who then split the Martinique defense and chipped the ball over goaltender Gilles Meslien for the United States' fourth goal.
Undeterred, the United States opened up a four-goal advantage once again. Roldan earned his second assist of the night after firing a long through ball to Gyasi Zardes, who took advantage of a defensive breakdown for the 5-1 lead:
The United States' last goal came courtesy of a player who plays in Kansas City (Sporting KC's Busio) and one who was born there (Nicholas Gioacchini). Gioacchini took Busio's cross and finished the job:
The United States will now face Canada to close Group B play Sunday at 5 p.m. ET from Kansas City. Like the USMNT, Canada has defeated both Martinique and Haiti to earn six points to advance to the Gold Cup knockout round.
The only thing left to figure out is which team will emerge as the group winner, which will go on to face the Group C runner-up in Arlington, Texas on Sunday, July 25. The Group B runner-up will take on the Group C winner at the same location and date.
Canada will be the Group B winner if its match with the United States ends in a draw. The two teams would be tied on the first Gold Cup group tiebreaker (goal differential at plus-six), but Canada owns the edge on the second tiebreaker of goals scored (eight to seven).
Through one round in Group C, Costa Rica and Jamaica have one win each in Group C play, beating Guadeloupe and Suriname, respectively.
