The USA opened their 2025 Gold Cup campaign with a dominant 5-0 win against Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday afternoon.
Much like Mauricio Pochettino’s recent June friendlies, the starting lineup featured a youthful squad with limited international experience.
The starting XI averaged just 15 international appearances, with only seven coming in official competitions.
Tim Ream anchored the lineup as both captain and the only starter with previous Gold Cup appearances.
Trinidad and Tobago approached the game by opting to sit deep and absorb pressure, allowing the USA to dictate the tempo.
Malik Tillman was instrumental in linking play through the middle. Early in the match, his slick one-touch pass released Patrick Agyemang for the game’s first shot.
Shortly after, Tillman was involved in the buildup that led to a promising Berhalter strike, deflected wide for a corner.
A STRONG START. 💪 pic.twitter.com/qmm4xANa5L
— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) June 15, 2025
The breakthrough finally came in the 16th minute. Agyemang pressured high and won possession deep in the attacking third, feeding McGlynn, who then found Tillman unmarked near the back post.
Tillman calmly controlled and slotted home his first international goal, giving the USA a 1-0 lead.
Trinidad and Tobago keeper Marvin Phillip made several impressive saves to keep the scoreline close in the first half, including a diving stop on Arfsten and a quick reaction to deny Luna’s chipped attempt.
Later, Phillip also blocked Freeman’s header from a McGlynn free kick.
In the 41st minute, Tillman struck again. Alvin Jones’ misguided back pass was intercepted by Diego Luna, who sprinted toward goal and slid the ball across the six-yard box.
Tillman was there to finish the move, completing his brace and doubling the USA lead.
Just minutes later, Luna received a long ball from Tillman, beat his marker in the box, and fired a low shot that deflected off Agyemang and into the net for the Americans’ third goal before half-time.
The USA didn’t take their foot off the gas in the second half.
BIG SMILES FOR THREE POINTS! 😁🫶 pic.twitter.com/hJZnEljiXL
— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) June 16, 2025
Early chances fell to McGlynn and Agyemang, the latter forcing yet another save from Phillip.
The USA goalkeeper, Matt Freese, was called into action in the 58th minute when Tyrese Spicer created a rare opportunity for Trinidad and Tobago, but Freese made a vital touch to preserve the clean sheet in just his second cap.
Pochettino rotated key players late in the match, introducing Haji Wright, Brenden Aaronson, and Mark McKenzie in place of Agyemang, Luna, and McGlynn. The substitutes made an immediate impact.
In the 82nd minute, Aaronson cut inside from the end line and fired home with the outside of his right foot to score his ninth international goal.
Just two minutes later, Wright added the finishing touch. After receiving a pass from Arfsten, he used his pace to carve out space before bending a shot into the side netting to make it 5-0.
With the win, the USA moves to the top of Group D ahead of Saudi Arabia, who beat Haiti on the same night.
