The USMNT played Nicaragua for the first time on Saturday in Cleveland, needing goals to win group B at the 2017 Gold Cup. Panama's 3-0 shutout of Martinique in the early game meant the USMNT started knowing they would need the three points and three goals to take 1st-place. They got it, but it wasn't easy.
The opportunities were there for the USMNT with Joe Corona opening the scoring in the 37th minute connecting with an Alejandro Bedoya pass. The USMNT had a chance to double the lead from the penalty spot in the 51st but Dom Dwyer saw his attempt saved. Kelyn Rowe doubled the USMNT lead in the 56th. Joe Corona was at the penalty spot in the 63rd minute, but Nicaragua goalkeeper Justo Lorente came up with another save. The USMNT went up a man in the 85th with a second yellow card to Luis Copete. The USMNT got another opportunity with Graham Zusi taking a free kick from just outside of the box in the 88th minute. Matt Miazga headed in the USMNT's third goal.
Group B concludes with the USMNT taking 1st-place with Panama 2nd on the goals scored tiebreaker. Panama will play Costa Rica in Philadelphia on Wednesday night. The USMNT waits for Sunday's games to finish to find out who they'll face at Lincoln Financial Field.
-- GAME REPORT --
Match: U.S. Men's National Team vs. Nicaragua
Date: July 15, 2017
Competition: 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup; Group B
Venue: FirstEnergy Stadium; Cleveland, Ohio
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
Attendance: 27,934
Weather: 74 degrees; sunny
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
USA 1 2 3
NCA 0 0 0
USA - Joe Corona (Alejandro Bedoya) 37th minute
USA - Kelyn Rowe (Alejandro Bedoya) 56
USA - Matt Miazga (Graham Zusi) 88
Lineups:
USA: 12-Bill Hamid; 19-Graham Zusi, 4-Matt Miazga, 5-Matt Besler, 2-Jorge Villafaña; 13-Dax McCarty; 7-Chris Pontius, 11-Alejandro Bedoya (capt.), 10-Joe Corona (8-Jordan Morris, 66), 6-Kelyn Rowe (20-Paul Arriola, 62); 14-Dom Dwyer (18-Juan Agudelo, 74)
Subs not used: 1-Brad Guzan, 3-Omar Gonzalez, 9-Gyasi Zardes; 15-Eric Lichaj, 16-Justin Morrow; 17-Cristian Roldan, 21-Matt Hedges, 22-Sean Johnson, 23-Kellyn Acosta
Head coach: Bruce Arena
NCA: 1-Justo Lorente; 2-Josue Quijano, 22-Cyril Errington, 6-Luis Copete, 17-Bismarck Véliz (4-Henry Niño, 69); 13-Bryan García (14-Eulises Pavón, 69),8-Marlon López, 19-Luis Peralta (21-Jorge Hurtado, 46); 11-Juan Barrera; 9-Daniel Cadena, 10-Luis Galeano
Subs not used: 23-Henry Maradiaga, 12-Diedrich Téllez, 20-Oscar López, 3-Manuel Rosas, 5-Erick Tellez, 16-Elvis Figueroa, 18-Maykel Montiel, 15-Bismarck Montiel
Not Available: 7-Carlos Chavarría
Head Coach: Henry Duarte
Stats Summary: USA / NCA
Shots: 16 / 6
Shots on Goal: 10 / 2
Saves: 2 / 7
Corner Kicks: 6 / 5
Fouls: 16 / 14
Offside: 3 / 4
Misconduct Summary:
NCA - Luis Peralta (caution) 15th minute
NCA - Marlon Lopez (caution) 42
NCA - Luis Copete (caution) 51
NCA - Joe Corona (caution) 59
NCA - Luis Copete (caution) 85
NCA - Luis Copete (sent off) 85
Officials:
Referee: Melvin Matamoros (HON)
Assistant Referee 1: Christian Ramirez (HON)
Assistant Referee 2: Ainsley Rochard (TRI)
Fourth Official: Oscar Moncada (HON)
