Current:Home > BackUSMNT scores three second-half goals to win in its Concacaf Nations League opener-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
USMNT scores three second-half goals to win in its Concacaf Nations League opener
View Date:2024-12-23 23:01:21
For 82 minutes, the U.S. men’s national team was frustrated against a shorthanded, but resolute Trinidad and Tobago side on Thursday night in Austin.
But in the space of just eight head-spinning minutes, the USMNT finally made its man advantage count, scoring three times in the blink of an eye to earn a 3-0 win in the first leg of the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal.
The prospect of a nerve-racking trip to Port of Spain for Monday’s second leg loomed large throughout most of a frustrating evening for Gregg Berhalter’s side, which played up a man after a 38th-minute red card for T&T.
But the U.S. will now travel to the Caribbean with a comfortable, if not completely unassailable advantage, after late goals from Ricardo Pepi, Antonee Robinson and Gio Reyna at Q2 Stadium.
MORE: Is the USMNT starting to phase out MLS players?
The USMNT controlled the first half but was unable to make its huge possession advantage count for much, as the visitors frustrated a home side that looked bereft of inspiration without the injured Christian Pulisic and Tim Weah.
But the U.S. got a true gift with 10 minutes remaining in the first half when Noah Powder, already on a yellow card, made an ill-advised challenge from behind on Weston McKennie to pick up a second booking.
Still, the U.S. struggled to trouble the T&T back line, managing zero shots on goal in a first half that saw it have 75 percent possession.
The second half saw the U.S. push harder to solve the 10-man visitors, finally getting a few shots on target after the break. Yunus Musah had perhaps the best chance with a screamer from distance that Denzil Smith did well to palm away.
The USMNT’s frustrations grew when referee Oshane Nation awarded it a penalty, only to take it away after a VAR review.
Just when it looked like Berhalter’s men may not find a way through, the dam broke.
Pepi finished off a Robinson cross with a stylish flick to open the scoring, before Robinson doubled the advantage four minutes later with a deflected strike from distance.
Reyna completed the scoring after a neat layoff from Folarin Balogun, giving the U.S. some breathing room heading into Monday night.
The job isn’t completely done, but the U.S. will now feel much better about its chances of reaching the Nations League semifinal — and earning the berth at the 2024 Copa América that comes along with it.
veryGood! (3)
Related
- Kansas basketball vs Michigan State live score updates, highlights, how to watch Champions Classic
- Raise from Tennessee makes Danny White the highest-paid athletic director at public school
- Mississippi sheriff sets new security after escaped inmate was captured in Chicago
- Robert Telles, ex-Las Vegas elected official, guilty in murder of journalist
- Flurry of contract deals come as railroads, unions see Trump’s election looming over talks
- Maryland awards contract for Francis Scott Key Bridge rebuild after deadly collapse
- Police fatally shoot man, then find dead child in his car on Piscataqua River Bridge
- What to know about Day 1 of the Paralympics: How to watch, top events Thursday
- 'Cowboy Carter' collaborators to be first country artists to perform at Rolling Loud
- Georgia puts Cornel West and Claudia De la Cruz back on the state’s presidential ballots
Ranking
- Mike Tyson emerges as heavyweight champ among product pitchmen before Jake Paul fight
- Police fatally shoot man, then find dead child in his car on Piscataqua River Bridge
- High winds, possibly from a tornado, derail 43 train cars in North Dakota
- Military shipbuilder Austal says investigation settlement in best interest of company
- Indiana in the top five of the College Football Playoff rankings? You've got to be kidding
- No cupcakes at school for birthdays? Teacher says they're 'too messy' in viral video
- As Lego goes green, costs will rise but customer prices won't, company says. Here's why.
- Average rate on a 30-year mortgage eases to 6.35%, its lowest level in more than a year
Recommendation
-
UFC 309: Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic fight card, odds, how to watch, date
-
Baltimore ‘baby bonus’ won’t appear on ballots after court rules it unconstitutional
-
Former NYPD officer sentenced to 27 years for shooting her ex-girlfriend and the ex’s new partner
-
Horoscopes Today, August 28, 2024
-
Young Black and Latino men say they chose Trump because of the economy and jobs. Here’s how and why
-
The 15 games that will decide the College Football Playoff field
-
Watch as abandoned baby walrus gets second chance at life, round-the-clock care
-
Hot, hotter, hottest: How much will climate change warm your county?