Keeping and eye on the enemy: the USA wins 4-0, does not convince

Team USA got their Gold Cup campaign off to a winning start beating the modest team of Guyana 4-0. While the scoreline seems to dominate, the game was anything but, as Gregg Berhalter’s men looked unorganized and vulnerable at times during the match. One need only view their third goal of the match to summarize their performance.

Mexican American Paul Arriola opened the scoring in the 28^th minute. The ex-Xolo took a pass from Weston McKennie and slotted a right footed shot to the right of the goal that went off Akel Clarke’s left hand and into the net. While Team USA had more possession, they never looked in control of the game or caused much danger on the Golden Jaguar’s goal in the 1^st half.

              Team USA came out more aggressively in the second half and found their second goal just six minutes in, when Tyler Boyd took a beautiful pass from captain Michael Bradley, dribbled and fired a low right-footed rocket past the diving keeper for the 2-0 lead.

              The Yanks third goal perfectly embodies the team’s current form as Gyasi Zardes summoned his inner Chicarito. In the 55^th minute Arriola cut inside and took a right footed shot, the shot deflected off a Guyana defender and hit Gyasi Zardes on the head and into the goal.

              Tyler Boyd found the net again in the 81^st minute with a powerful right footed shot from just inside the box that took a slight deflection off another Guyana player and into the net.

              Boyd had the opportunity for a hattrick in the 89^th minute but he hit the pitch and made horrible contact while his shot went wide of the mark.

              In a tournament that’s set up to pin El Tri vs. The Stars and Stripes in the final, that game might be in danger if the USA continues its current form. After the first round of games, teams like Costa Rica and Jamaica look poised to spoil Concacaf’s dream final.