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USA vs. Trinidad & Tobago, 2019 Gold Cup: Final Score 6-0 as Yanks Destroy Soca Warriors

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7 years ago

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It took the United States Men’s National Team a while to get going, but when the shots started going in, they did so by the bucket load. Christian Pulisic set up two goals and scored one himself, while Gyasi Zardes and Aaron Long each notched a brace to lead the USMNT to a 6-0 win over Trinidad & Tobago in Gold Cup action at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland.

With the win, the U.S. clinched a spot in the knockout stages and all that remains is to see who wins Group D. That will be decided Wednesday in Kansas City when the USMNT plays Panama. Trinidad & Tobago and Guyana

Gregg Berhalter made no changes from Tuesday night’s lineup, which meant that Weston McKennie’s injury wasn’t serious.

The U.S. got the first decent look at goal in the fourth minute. Paul Arriola started the sequence on the left with a cross that skipped off of someone in front and through the area. It was sent back into the middle to Tyler Boyd, but he couldn’t quite square himself for the shot and fired just wide of the near post.

T&T got the next opportunity due to sloppy play by the U.S., winning a free kick from about 30 yards out in front of goal. Alvin Jones went for goal and sizzled a ball just over Zack Steffen’s crossbar in the seventh minute.

The game pace picked up at the 10-minute mark. A U.S. attack up the right ended up with Boyd sending in a cross just inches over Zardes’ head. Khaleem Hyland beat Tim Ream to a loose ball on the ensuing T&T counter attack and Steffen parried his shot away. The USMNT broke back the other way and Boyd saw his shot blocked at the top of the area.

Another Boyd cross in the 13th minute deflected off traffic in front and went just wide but Arriola was called for a push on the play anyway. A minute later, Christian Pulisic sent either a shot or a cross wide.

Hyland picked up a knock and had to come off in the 17th minute, replaced by former Orlando City star Kevin Molino.

Trinidad & Tobago goalkeeper Marvin Phillip prevented the opening goal from happening in the 34th minute. Michael Bradley picked out McKennie on the right and the young midfielder sent a gorgeous ball across for Zardes. The Columbus Crew striker was at a poor angle and headed a square ball back for Arriola, but he couldn’t make good contact with it and Phillips was there to smother it.

Two minutes later, Jones sent a free kick agonizingly close to a few teammates in front of goal but the delivery skipped out for a goal kick.

The U.S. finally broke through in the 41st minute. Jones pulled down Pulisic just outside the penalty area to concede a free kick. Pulisic took the attempt himself but hit the wall with his effort. The ball eventually was poked back out to Pulisic on the left by McKennie and the recent Chelsea transfer sent a perfect back-post ball for Long to get onto. Long put enough power on his header to get it through Phillip and into the net for a 1-0 U.S. lead.

That was the last dangerous opportunity of the half and the U.S. took a narrow 1-0 lead into the locker room.

T&T got the first good opportunity of the second period. Levi Garcia got on the ball and fired a shot that Long got a piece of and it was knocked behind for a corner kick. Leston Paul fired wide after the corner was cleared just outside the area.

The U.S. came back two minutes later when McKennie played a superb ball between the defenders for Arriola to run onto. The D.C. United attacker fired just wide and the lead remained at just one goal. Arriola then tried a spectacular volley attempt after Zardes and Long did well to win the ball in the corner but the shot sailed off frame. Boyd followed with a shot just wide in the 55th minute.

The USMNT kept the pressure on, with Nick Lima setting up Boyd, only to see Phillip make a good save to keep it out in the 59th minute.

Trinidad & Tobago should have equalized in the 61st minute. The Soca Warriors broke out on a lightning counter after a U.S. corner kick and Jones sent a cross to Garcia, who was all alone on the left side. He teed up a shot after dribbling to the top of the area but fired wide. Four minutes later, Steffen made a diving save to deny Molino’s blast from just outside the area.

The Yanks got back on the front foot after that, with Pulisic making an outstanding cross for Arriola but the shot attempt from just three yards out was denied by another great reaction save from Phillip.

The dam finally broke in the 66th minute. Michael Bradley dropped a dime on a chip pass onto Lima’s head . The right back headed a cross back through the area, just out of the reach of a T&T defender, for Zardes to tap in for the 2-0 lead.

After Jones forced another good save from Steffen on a long-distance set piece, with a swerving laser shot, the U.S. struck again through Zardes. This time Pulisic drove toward the top of the area and drew the attention to every defender in the neighborhood. That left Zardes open. Pulisic delivered the ball and Zardes curled his shot past Phillip and inside the back post for a 3-0 lead in the 69th minute.

That goal truly opened the floodgates, as the T&T defense was completely out of gas and grasping at shadows for the rest of the match and the U.S. punished the Soca Warriors repeatedly. The final score could have looked much more like the USWNT against Thailand had it not been for several outstanding saves from Phillip and several near-misses by the U.S.

Zardes had two golden opportunities to complete his hat trick in the 71st but missed them both. First, Arriola took an outlet from Pulisic to go 2-v-1 and sent a cross for Zardes, who fired off the woodwork. The ball was sent back across, providing a free header opportunity, but Zardes left his shot too close to Phillip, who made another great save to deny the hat trick again.

Two minutes later, Pulisic finally got his goal. Second-half sub Jordan Morris tried to make his way up the right side of the penalty area but was cut off. he cut back to his left and found Pulisic, who quickly slipped his shot into the net for a 4-0 lead in the 73rd minute.

Zardes subbed off a minute later for Jozy Altidore and four minutes later it was 5-0. Altidore flicked a ball backward to an onrushing Morris, who fizzed the ball across the six to Arriola for a tap-in.

After Arriola hit the crossbar with a right-footed effort in the 85th minute, Long completed his brace in the 90th. Substitute Reggie Cannon picked out McKennie in the box and the midfielder fired a shot that Phillip fought off. It fell to Long, who put it back in for the final tally.

Although this game can’t erase the memory of the World Cup qualifying loss in Trinidad a couple of years ago, it’s fair to say the USMNT exorcised some demons with the victory. It was perhaps the most free-flowing — and beautiful — soccer yet seen since Berhalter took over as head coach. With Pulisic on his game, combined with the movement of Boyd, McKennie, and Arriola, chance creation wasn’t a problem. It’s a match that should give the Yanks some confidence heading into the tougher matches that lie ahead in the competition.

The U.S. will conclude group play on Wednesday night against Panama at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, KN, at 9 p.m. ET.

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Podcasts

SkoPurp Soccer Episode 144: Gotham Rewind, Seattle Preview, and More

The Pride finished their home schedule with a loss to Gotham and hope to finish their road schedule with a win in Seattle.

Published

1 week ago

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October 28, 2026

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Image of Solai Washington running onto a ball behind the Gotham defense.
Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Jeremy Reper

The Orlando Pride tried to send their fans home happy in their regular-season home finale, but despite an impressive overall performance against the league leaders, the Pride wasted numerous chances in front of goal and paid for two big mistakes at the back in what ultimately ended as a 2-1 loss in a season filled with far too many defeats. Solai Washington did so many things well, but despite a month’s worth of chances, she could only muster one goal. Still, it was a promising outing albeit in a developing story that won’t continue much longer this year.

We discuss the key plays, players, and moments, look back at our score predictions from last week, and select our Player of the Match.

This week’s mailbagbox asked us about Marta, the reasons for the Pride’s struggles in 2026, and more. Remember, you can ask us anything by hitting us up on Twitter at either @TheManeLand or @SkoPurpSoccer and using the hashtag #AskSkoPurp. You can use that same hashtag and hit @TheManeLand.bsky.social up on Bluesky. Or you can visit our show page, scroll down, and fill out the handy form. We’d also appreciate any ratings or reviews you can leave wherever you get your podcasts, and if you do that on Apple Podcasts, we’ll find them easily and read them on the show.

Finally, we look ahead to Sunday’s season finale at the Seattle Reign. The Pride opened their 2026 season with a home loss to the Reign but would like to close it with a road win over Seattle to enter the off-season on a positive note. It won’t be easy, as the Reign are clinging to the last playoff spot and trying to catch rival Portland as multiple teams are trying to catch them. We look at Orlando’s attempt to play spoiler, check back on the series history, compare the teams’ positions in the table, provide our key matchups, and more.

Here’s how Episode 144 went down:

0:15 – The Pride finished their home schedule with a good performance but another poor result against the league’s top team.

20:07 – Our mailbagbox has questions about the GOAT.

38:26 – Seattle was the first 2026 opponent and will be the last 2026 opponent. We preview for the last time this season.

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Podcasts

SkoPurp Soccer Episode 140: Bay FC Rewind, San Diego Preview, and More

The Pride keep their playoff hopes alive by eliminating Bay FC but things get tougher with San Diego visiting Friday.

Published

1 month ago

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September 30, 2026

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Image of Jacquie Ovalle dribbling toward the Bay FC defense.
Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Justin Glatt

The Orlando Pride remained perfect on the road against Bay FC with a 3-1 win on Sunday. Deuces were wild, as Haley McCutcheon, who wears jersey No. 2, scored in the second minute of both halves, and her two goals in California gave the midfielder her second brace of both the 2026 NWSL season and her career. Barbra Banda figured heavily in pulling defenders out of position on two of the three Orlando goals and assisted on Jacquie Ovalle’s right-footed thunderbolt in stoppage time to put the game away. But make no mistake, it’s not as if the Pride played well, turning the ball over often and conceding 28 shot attempts to the hosts.

We break down a road win that may have been more exhausting to watch than to play in (although I wouldn’t bet on it), check back on our score predictions, and make our selections for Player of the Match.

This week’s mailbagbox asked us about Haley McCutcheon, where to most strongly place the blame for the Pride’s disappointing season, and more. Remember, you can ask us anything by hitting us up on Twitter at either @TheManeLand or @SkoPurpSoccer and using the hashtag #AskSkoPurp. You can use that same hashtag and hit @TheManeLand.bsky.social up on Bluesky. Or you can visit our show page, scroll down, and fill out the handy form. We’d also appreciate any ratings or reviews you can leave wherever you get your podcasts, and if you do that on Apple Podcasts, we’ll find them easily and read them on the show.

Finally, we looked ahead to Friday, when Orlando will host San Diego Wave FC, looking to both complete a season sweep and to keep its faint playoff hopes alive. We look at the series history, provide our key matchups for the contest, and make our predictions for the final score.

Here’s how Episode 140 went down:

0:15 – The Pride improved to 2-1-1 under Yolanda Thomas, but a lot of good Cosette Morche saves were required to get that second win.

20:00- The mailbagbox asks us to play the blame game.

33:36 – The Pride continue to face California-based competition, but Friday’s opponent is much higher in the table than Sunday’s was.

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Orlando City

Orlando City vs. San Jose Earthquakes: Preview, How to Watch, TV Info, Live Stream, Lineups, Match Thread, and More

Orlando City restarts its 2026 MLS campaign late tonight out west at San Jose.

Published

4 months ago

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July 22, 2026

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Image of Braian Ojeda taking a shot in a friendly against FC Dallas.
Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Justin Glatt

Welcome to your match thread for a late night midweek matchup tonight between Orlando City (4-9-2, 14 points) and the San Jose Earthquakes (10-3-2, 32 points) at PayPal Park (10:30 p.m., Apple TV). This is the only scheduled meeting between the teams in 2026 and the first time the teams have met since 2024.

Here’s what you need to know ahead of tonight’s match.

History

Orlando City is 3-1-3 in the previous seven MLS meetings with the Quakes since the club joined Major League Soccer in 2015. The Lions got their only away win in the series in the last meeting and enter tonight 1-1-2 on the road against San Jose.

The teams last met on May 18, 2024, with Jack Lynn coming off the bench to score the game’s only goal. Lynn’s strike in the 89th minute broke the scoreless deadlock and lifted the Lions to a 1-0 victory.

The teams met in Orlando most recently way back on June 22, 2021, with the Lions beating the Quakes down, 5-0. Orlando got things started with an early penalty kick goal by Nani, followed by braces from Benji Michel and Daryl Dike to easily put the game away. The lasting memory from the game is Michel’s celebratory dance wearing a cowboy hat that came out of the stands.

Prior to that Orlando City romp, the last time the teams met was on Aug. 31, 2019 when the Lions got freight trained 3-0 at Avaya Stadium, giving the Quakes their first win in the series. San Jose’s offense came via a Chris Wondolowski brace and an early opening goal by Magnus Eriksson. Orlando looked flat and weary out of the gate.

The Lions were victorious in Exploria Stadium in the 2018 meeting on April 21, a 3-2 Orlando win. It was the first win in the series for either side after three straight draws. Chris Mueller, Sacha Kljestan, and Dom Dwyer gave the Lions a 3-0 lead before Florian Jungwirth pulled two back in the game’s late stages.

The Lions led all of the first three matches in the second half only to see San Jose pull level, with two of those tying goals coming late. In the 2017 meeting, Carlos Rivas finally broke the scoreless tie and gave Orlando City the lead in the 81st minute, but Wondolowski spoiled the Lions’ night with an equalizer two minutes later as the teams drew at Avaya Stadium, 1-1.

In 2016, the Lions were gut-punched in the 94th minute in an emotional match that ended in a 2-2 draw. It was the first home match following the Pulse nightclub tragedy and what appeared to be a storybook ending to a cathartic win turned sour on a last-gasp equalizer by Shea Salinas. Seb Hines — now the Orlando Pride’s head coach — opened the scoring for Orlando, only to see Chad Barrett tie it up. Julio Baptista restored the lead in stoppage time, but Salinas ruined everything.

The two teams also drew in the first meeting, a 1-1 affair at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, with the Lions down to 10 men after Brek Shea was sent off in the first half. Kaká and Wondolowski each scored from the penalty spot four minutes apart in that initial meeting.

Overview

The teams meet tonight to get their post-World Cup portion of the season started. Orlando City has been terrible on the road all season long, keeping only one MLS opponent under two goals all year away from home and allowing five goals twice (at New York City FC and Nashville) and six goals twice (at LAFC and in the team’s most recent match away at FC Cincinnati just before the break).

Orlando City is a putrid 1-6-1 on the road this season, and now the Lions must face the Western Conference co-leaders tonight before coming home to face Supporters’ Shield-leading Nashville SC at home on Saturday. They’ll have to play at least tonight’s game without Martin Ojeda, who is out with a thigh injury sustained some time between his first-half goal a week ago in a friendly against FC Dallas and the time the availability report dropped on Tuesday.

But it isn’t all bad news for the Lions, who should have both Antoine Griezmann and Dike in the lineup. Griezmann was the club’s highly prized and widely publicized summer Designated Player signing, while Dike’s return to Orlando came together more recently, following his departure from West Bromwich Albion. They’ll help the club’s offense, but the attack hasn’t been the issue in 2026 — it’s been the historically porous defense, which is on pace to shatter the MLS record for goals conceded.

Meanwhile, San Jose is one of the first half of the season’s biggest surprises, as the Quakes have been outstanding in 2026. Scoring 34 goals while conceding just 15, San Jose is among the league leaders in goals scored (tied for third), goals conceded (third), and goal differential (+19, third).

The Earthquakes are 4-2-1 at home and are coming off a 3-1 road win at Portland in their last game prior to the World Cup break. San Jose boasts Golden Boot challenger Preston Judd, who leads the Quakes with 11 goals, adding two assists in his 15 appearances. Ousseni Bouda has chipped in five goals and three assists. Niko Tsakiris leads the team with seven assists to go along with his two goals, but he’s still recovering from a lower body injury and is not available tonight. However, the arrival of Timo Werner (four goals and five assists in just seven games) has truly elevated Bruce Arena’s Quakes, and he’ll need to be one of the main focal points for the Orlando defense.

To have any shot at taking something from this game, the Lions will need to play better road defense than they have all season. Orlando can score goals, but with Ojeda out, Griezmann will need to adapt quickly, and someone other than the team’s leading scorer will need to find the net.

The Lions will play without Ojeda (thigh), Joran Gerbet (knee), Nolan Miller (knee), Colin Guske (international duty), and Clovis Archage (international duty). In addition, Marco Pasalic may or may not have returned to the team after the World Cup. He was not in training Monday, although interim head coach Martin Perelman said he expected the Croatian back soon. The Earthquakes will be without Nonso Adimabua (lower body), former Lion Earl Edwards Jr. (lower body), DeJuan Jones (lower body), and Tsakiris (you guessed it, lower body…come on, San Jose).

Match Content

Official Lineups:

Orlando City (4-4-2)

Goalkeeper: Maxime Crepeau.

Defenders: Adrian Marin, David Brekalo, Robin Jansson, Griffin Dorsey.

Midfielders: Ivan Angulo, Braian Ojeda, Eduard Atuesta, Tiago.

Forwards: Justin Ellis, Antoine Griezmann.

Bench: Javier Otero, Bernardo Rhein, Tahir Reid-Brown, Zakaria Taifi, Iago, Wilder Cartagena, Luis Otavio, Harvey Sarajian, Tyrese Spicer

San Jose Earthquakes (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Angus Gunn.

Defenders: Jamar Ricketts, Reid Roberts, Daniel Munie, Benjamin Kikanovic.

Defensive Midfielders: Beau Lerouox, Ronaldo Vieira.

Attacking Midfielders: Timo Werner, Nick Fernandez, Ousseni Bouda.

Forwards: Preston Judd.

Bench: Jonathan Gonzalez, Dave Romney, Paul Marie, Jack Skahan, Jack Jasinski, Ian Harkes, Francesco Montali, Max Floriani, Darius Johnson.

Referees

REF: Elijio Arreguin.
AR1: Adam Wienckowski.
AR2: Mike Nickerson.
4TH: Timothy Ford.
VAR: Jose Carlos Rivero.
AVAR: TJ Zablocki.

How to Watch

Match Time: 10:30 p.m.

Venue: PayPal Park — San Jose, CA.

TV/Live Stream: Apple TV.

Radio: AM 810 FOX Sports Radio Orlando (English), Mega 97.1 FM (Spanish), Nossa Rádio 1160 AM-WRLZ (Portuguese).

Social Media: For rapid reaction and live updates, follow us on Bluesky Social at @themaneland.bsky.social or follow Orlando City’s official Twitter (@OrlandoCitySC) or Bluesky (@OrlandoCitySC) feed.

Enjoy the match. Go City!

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