Sunday

06-15-2025 Vol 1992

USMNT Kicks Off 2025 Gold Cup Campaign Against Trinidad and Tobago

The United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) is set to embark on its quest for a record eighth Gold Cup title, beginning this weekend in San Jose, California. The tournament will open with a match against Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday, June 15, at PayPal Park.

Following their opener, the USMNT will continue in the group stage with two consecutive matches in Texas. They will face Saudi Arabia on Thursday, June 19, and Haiti on Sunday, June 22.

Head coach Mauricio Pochettino announced his 26-player roster last week, featuring both seasoned veterans and promising young talent. Key players include Miles Robinson, who was instrumental in the team’s 2021 Gold Cup final win over Mexico, along with stalwarts like Walker Zimmerman, Tim Ream, and goalkeeper Matt Turner. This roster is notable for its youth, as it’s the third youngest in USMNT’s Gold Cup history.

The USMNT is aiming to enhance its dominance in this biennial tournament, having already secured seven championships out of 17 editions. Historically, the team has been formidable in the group stages, boasting an impressive record of 40 wins, 1 loss, and 5 draws, and winning their group in 16 out of 17 Gold Cups, including their latest triumph in 2023.

The USMNT’s match against Trinidad and Tobago marks a significant moment, especially considering the Americans have a strong historical advantage over this Caribbean opponent. They have won 17 of their 18 encounters on home soil, with the latest competition occurring in November 2023 during the Concacaf Nations League. In that match, the USMNT faced a challenge, playing for over 50 minutes with only 10 players, ultimately resulting in a 2-1 loss to Trinidad and Tobago.

Things are different when the matches are held within the United States, where the USMNT holds a phenomenal record against Trinidad and Tobago. They have outscored Trinidad by a total of 41-0 in their last 12 games played on American soil. A victory on Sunday would match their longest home winning streak against any opponent, equaling their record against Ecuador, which stands at 16 consecutive wins.

Kickoff for the match against Trinidad and Tobago is set for Sunday, June 15, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. ET.

The next challenge for the USMNT comes from Saudi Arabia, currently ranked No. 58 in the FIFA World Rankings. The two teams faced each other just once in the last five years, ending in a scoreless draw during an international friendly in September 2022. Saudi Arabia also made headlines during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar with a stunning victory over Argentina, showcasing their potential as a formidable opponent.

Entering the Gold Cup, Saudi Arabia is still in contention for qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, having secured results in three of their last four AFC qualifying matches. This matchup represents the highest-ranked team that the USMNT will encounter in the group stage.

Kickoff for the match against Saudi Arabia is scheduled for Thursday, June 19, 2025, at 9:15 p.m. ET at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas.

Finally, the USMNT will round out its group stage against Haiti, a nation they have faced since 1941. Historically, Haiti had the upper hand in earlier encounters, but the USMNT has been dominant in recent decades. Remarkably, they have not suffered a loss to Haiti since 1973 and have maintained an unbeaten record in four previous Gold Cup clashes against them.

The match against Haiti is set for Sunday, June 22, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. ET at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

The Gold Cup will proceed with its quarterfinal matches, taking place from June 28-29 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, and U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Semifinals will follow on July 2, hosted at Energizer Park in St. Louis and Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

Ultimately, 16 teams will aim to reach the finals in Houston, Texas, where the championship will be decided at NRG Stadium on July 6. Among those competing is Mexico, the defending champions in Group A. The ongoing rivalry between the U.S. and Mexico has defined the tournament, as both nations have collectively claimed 16 out of 17 titles. Last year, Mexico captured the trophy in 2023 after defeating Panama, while the U.S. previously secured their 2021 title in a dramatic final against Mexico with Robinson’s legendary game-winning header.

image source from:https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2025/06/2025-concacaf-gold-cup-preview-usmnt

Benjamin Clarke