34′ Zardes headed a pass to Arriola that was just a little too close to the ‘keeper, and Philip dove to cut out the ball and smother the chance.
32′ Hackshaw is on the receiving end of an elbow as Boyd tried to cut in front of him to retrieve the ball, and Trinidad and Tobago will have a free-kick from their own penalty area.
30′ Pulisic stands over a free-kick in the final third, sends it in, and hits the first defender. Wasted opportunity that.
28′ End-to-end action at the moment as both sides forgo the midfield, choosing to rather launch long balls and try to beat the other side with pace.
27′ Zardes and Pulisic try to break on the counter, but the latter is pulled back and the United States will have a free-kick in their own half.
25′ Trinidad and Tobago are having a nice spell of play here. Can they take advantage before the tide turns once more?
23′ Molino is played in down the left from a free-kick and has his cross deflected behind for a Trinidad and Tobago corner.
21′ Arriola gets bulldozed by two opponents in the midfield, and the US will have another free-kick in Trinidad and Tobago’s half.
19′ Zardes is fouled from behind while trying to hold up play in the midfield, and the United States will have a free-kick.
17′ Molino replaces the injured Hyland for Trinidad and Tobago.
17′ After the shot, Hyland goes down again, and it looks like he won’t be able to continue.
16′ Boyd takes a shot across his body from outside the box and hit it right into the waiting arms of Philip.
13′ The United States break quickly through Boyd and Arriola with the former getting to the byline and passing it in towards the latter who just misses at the near post… but a foul is called and it wouldn’t have counted anyway.
11′ After his attempted strike, Hyland has limped off the pitch and is receiving a heavy dose of magic spray.
10′ SAVE! Cato played the ball all the way across the box to Hyland who was trailing the play, and the latter fired his shot at Steffen who did well to get his body behind it!
8′ Jones takes a free-kick from distance, having gone for goal, his attempt blazes just above the crossbar leaving Steffen scrambling. That was close!
6′ Long switch out left to Cato who passed then played it in to Garcia, but the latter can’t control it and the US take possession.
4′ CHANCE! McKennie gets into the box, controls the ball well and cuts it back to Boyd who fizzes a shot just past the right post! Bright start here from the Yanks!
2′ For those interested, the United States wear all white, while Trinidad and Tobago wear red shirts and socks, with black shorts.
1′ Referee Hector Said Martinez blows his whistle, and this match is underway!
The teams are walking out on the pitch now. We’re just some anthems and handshakes away from the start of this match!
Three changes from Trinidad and Tobago after their 2-0 loss to Panama in their first match against Panama. Hackshaw, Cato, and Paul come into the starting line-up while Mekeil Williams, Jamal Williams, and Molino drop to the bench. If you look at their recent matches, it becomes quite clear that goals have been the main issue for Trinidad and Tobago. In their last seven matches, the Soca Warriors have lost, and failed to score in six of them. Can they find their scoring boots today or will they go down without a whimper yet again?
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the United States make no changes from their 4-0 win against Guyana in their last match. While everyone expected Pulisic to be the focus of the attack in that match, it was the front three who got the job done with all four goals coming from Arriola, Zardes, and Boyd. Also, some good news for coach Greg Berhalter as Weston McKennie, who limped off from the last match gripping his hamstring, has seemingly escaped serious injury and starts. Can these players accomplish what they could not in 2017, and beat Trinidad and Tobago today?
Trinidad and Tobago substitutes: Duane Muckette, Greg Ranjitsingh, Shahdon Winchester, Kevin Molino, Lester Peltier, Akeem Humphrey, Jomal Williams, Mekeil Williams, Joevin Jones, Curtis Gonzales, Carlyle Mitchell, Adrian Foncette.
Trinidad and Tobago (4-2-3-1): Marvin Phillip; Alvin Jones, Daneil Cyrus, Aubrey David, Neveal Hackshaw; Khaleem Hyland, Kevan George; Nathan Lewis, Cordell Cato, Leston Paul; Levi Garcia.
United States substitutes: Djordje Mihailovic, Cristian Roldan, Daniel Lovitz, Sean Johnson, Omar Gonzalez, Jonathan Lewis, Tyler Miller, Jordan Morris, Matt Miazga, Jozy Altidore, Reggie Cannon, Wil Trapp.
United States (4-3-3): Zack Steffen; Nick Lima, Walker Zimmerman, Aaron Long, Tim Ream; Weston McKennie, Michael Bradley, Christian Pulisic; Tyler Boyd, Gyasi Zardes, Paul Arriola.
Now, let’s take a look at the team news!
Trinidad and Tobago do have the bragging rights from the CONCACAF qualifying win in 2017, but they have fared far worse against the United States in this competition, losing all three matches against the Yanks.
The United States will certainly be out for revenge against Trinidad and Tobago considering the latter’s 2-1 win in October 2017 caused the US to miss the World Cup in Russia.
Hello, and welcome to our live coverage of this Gold Cup match between the United States and Trinidad and Tobago!
K. Molino
K. Hyland