Just like the USWNT in the Women’s World Cup, the USMNT had to wait a long time to kick off the Gold Cup as the final team to kick off its campaign.
Christian Pulisic was ready.
Pulisic pulled off a filthy elastico to set up an early chance for the U.S. in its Group D opener against Guyana on Tuesday night at Allianz Field in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
Starting just after 9 p.m. local time, the U.S. was actually pinned back a bit in the opening minutes against Guyana, ranked 177th in the world. Eventually, the Americans settled into the game and Pulisic provided the spark in the fourth minute.
On the left wing right on the edge of the 18-yard box, Pulisic went Ronaldinho on Guyana center back Terence Vancouten.
Not bad for an American pic.twitter.com/b8OK1pnm5D
— The18 (@the18com) June 19, 2019
The ensuing cross didn’t result in a goal, but who fucking cares, an American just used an elastico in a Concacaf competition, even if it was against a team from a country that’s from neither North America, Central America or the Caribbean.
We should really just end the Gold Cup now. It’s not going to get any better for the USMNT than a Pulisic elastico.
Prince himself Looking Down on @allianzfield Tonight pic.twitter.com/tdzv9nHw7j
— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) June 19, 2019
The U.S. took the lead in the 28th minute through Paul Arriola with a strong finish.
THERE IT IS!
Paul Arriola scores the first USA goal of #GoldCup2019! pic.twitter.com/1mZWTFirj4— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 19, 2019
The match was the first meaningful competition since the U.S. lost to Trinidad and Tobago in Oct. 2017 to complete the failed World Cup qualifying campaign.
And yes, Michael Bradley started.
The U.S. won 4-0 with Tyler Boyd netting twice and Gyasi Zardes scoring accidentally when the ball ricocheted off his face and into the back of the net.
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