MLS

Gold Cup Roundup: June 26

USMNT

The U.S. Men’s National Team claimed the top stop in Group D after beating Panama 1-0 to close the 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup group stage. With the result, the U.S. will play Curaçao on Sunday in a quarterfinals match in Philadelphia.


Here’s a look at the four quarterfinals matches in which FC Cincinnati will have four players from two countries participating.


Canada vs. Haiti: Saturday at 7 p.m. ET in Houston on FS1

  • Canada’s Jonathan David has been arguably the biggest star of the Gold Cup after the 19 year old, who was born in Brooklyn, scored five goals through group stage play. David and the Canadians will play a Haitian side playing with momentum. In their last match, they beat Costa Rica 2-1.


Mexico vs. Costa Rica: Saturday at 9:30 p.m. ET in Houston on FS1

  • FC Cincinnati midfielder Alan Cruz has played every match for the Ticos, who face one of the tournament favorites in Mexico. FCC captain and center back Kendall Waston didn’t feature for the side in their last match, a 2-1 loss to Haiti in Red Bull Arena on Monday.


Jamaica vs. Panama: Sunday at 5:30 p.m. ET in Philadelphia on FS1

  • Despite a nervy 1-1 draw with Curaçao to end their group stage play, the Reggae Boyz still won Group C and enter the match against Panama, who just lost to the U.S. on Wednesday night in Kansas City, Kansas. FCC right back Alvas Powell has played every match for Jamaica, while forward Darren Mattocks has been a second-half substitute.


U.S. vs. Curaçao: Sunday at 8 p.m. ET in Philadelphia on FS1

- Curaçao had never even scored a Gold Cup goal entering the 2019 tournament, but finished second in Group C on four points. As for the USMNT, the opponent is the weakest – per the current FIFA rankings – of any nation that advanced this far in the Gold Cup.


Emery Welshman update

The Guyana and FC Cincinnati winger, who’s on loan to Forge FC in the Canadian Premier League, has been eliminated from the tournament after finishing third in Group D with one point


That’s still a massive achievement for the Gold Jaguars, however, who made their first appearance in a major international tournament.


Welshman played in Wednesday night’s match as a substitute in the 1-1 draw with Trinidad and Tobago.