Group B: Martinique 1 USA 6
July 15 – The USA cruised past Martinique to take maximum points into their final group decider with Canada. Both teams are unbeaten though Canada top the group on goal difference.
The group winner will miss Mexico in later rounds assuming the Mexicans beat El Salvador on Sunday to win their group.
US coach Greg Berhalter made mass changes from the team that beat Haiti 1-0 in their unconvincing Gold Cup opener.
Also incoming was a greater control and intensity from the US that was missing against Haiti.
The US are on a nine game winning streak on home soil having scored 34 goals and conceded just four. Martinique never looked likely to upset that record.
On the 13thminute a cross whipped in from the left was deflected into the top right hand corner by Orlando City striker Daryl Dike. Nine minutes letter Dike was claiming a second after heading a shot from Gianluca Busio that rebounded off the bar. It was later ruled an own goal by Samuel Camille.
At half time the US went in having had eight shots, six on target. Their lead was convincing but it should have been more
The US are on a none game winning streak on home soil having scored 34 goals and conded just four. Martinique never looked likely to upset that record.
On 49 minutes US were three up. A corner that went over the top was returned into the box by Shaq Moore to an unmarked Miles Robinson who headed in.
On 58 minutes Dike had his second goal. Running on to a bouncing ball at pace he lifted the ball over an advancing Meslien Gilles in the Martinique goal.
Some relief came for Martinique four minutes later when Kellyn Acosta clumsily pulled down Kevin fortune in the box. Emanuelle Reviere converted past a statuesque Matt Turner, perhaps he was watching something else.
On 69 minutes Gyasi Zardes, on for Dyke, scored with his second touch. Receiving the ball at pace on the right he shot across the goal leaving Gilles flailing.
It was only a matter of time before the US had a sixth. Another driven in cross Busio on the right was met this time by Nicholas Giaoacchini.
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