U.S. Men’s National Team vs. El Salvador
2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup Quarterfinals
Wednesday, July 19 | 8 p.m. CT | FS1, UniMás, UDN
Lincoln Financial Field | Philadelphia
The U.S. Men’s National Team finished top dog of the Group B standings and is set to square off with El Salvador in the quarterfinal round of the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
The Yanks come into the game boasting seven goals in their three Gold Cup matches, and will attempt to defeat an El Salvador team that managed to sneak into the knockout stages with a 1-1 draw against Jamaica and a third-place finish in Group C. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. CT, with the winner advancing to the semifinals and a date with the winner of Costa Rica and Panama on Saturday.
Dempsey’s Shot at History
U.S. forward Clint Dempsey currently sits at 56 international goals in his international career, putting him one goal behind Landon Donovan for the most goals in American international history.
Dempsey’s chances are rather favorable, as the U.S. MNT’s play on the wing has been its primary means of scoring, and the El Salvador defense has been prone to giving up chances out wide. In El Salvador’s 3-1 loss to Mexico during group stage play, all three goals were surrendered via crosses into the box.
Should the outside play of players like Graham Zusi and Alejandro Bedoya remain difficult for defenders, Dempsey might just be able to etch his name into American soccer history.
Keep the Streak
Dating back to the first meeting between the U.S. MNT and El Salvador back in 1977, the Yanks have a whopping 17-0-4 record.
The 21 game-unbeaten streak comes from eight World Cup qualifying matches, seven friendlies, five Gold Cup matches and one Colombus Cup showing. The Americans own a 51-11 goal differential during the streak and have managed to net 11 goals in their last three CONCACAF Gold Cup matches against El Salvador.
Regardless of the dominant streak that the U.S. MNT holds against El Salvador, head coach Bruce Arena’s squad should view this match as anything but a walk in the park. The team has walked away with many missed chances during this Gold Cup run, and will need to use its remaining Gold Cup matches to pick up steam in preparation of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
Besler ties Benny?
U.S. MNT defender Matt Besler currently sits at 42 international caps, just one shy of his Sporting KC teammate, Benny Feilhaber.
Should Besler make the starting 11, the Kansas City duo will share a spot at 62nd place on the U.S. MNT all-time cap list. Besler first donned the red, white and blue in a scoreless draw against Canada on Jan. 29, 2013. Ever since, he has been a consistent force in the American central defense.
Arena has been favorable to Besler, as he has given the Kansas City center back the start for three of the last four U.S. MNT matches. Along with Besler’s potential move up the cap list, his other Sporting KC teammate Graham Zusi (51 caps) would move up to 49th on the all-time list should his name breach the starting lineup.
USA Roster
Goalkeepers (3): Jesse Gonzalez (FC Dallas), Bill Hamid (D.C. United), Tim Howard (Colorado Rapids)
Defenders (8): Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), Omar Gonzalez (Pachuca / MEX), Matt Hedges (FC Dallas), Eric Lichaj (Nottingham Forest / ENG), Matt Miazga (Chelsea / ENG), Justin Morrow (Toronto FC), Jorge Villafaña (Santos Laguna / MEX), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)
Midfielders (8): Kellyn Acosta (FC Dallas), Paul Arriola (Club Tijuana / MEX), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Joe Corona (Club Tijuana / MEX), Dax McCarty (Chicago Fire), Darlington Nagbe (Portland Timbers), Chris Pontius (Philadelphia Union), Gyasi Zardes (LA Galaxy)
Forwards (4): Juan Agudelo (New England Revolution), Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC), Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders FC), Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders FC)
El Salvador Roster
Goalkeepers (3): Oscar Arroyo (Alianza FC / SLV), Derby Carrillo (Íþróttabandalag Vestmannaeyja / ISL), Benji Villalobos (CD Aguila / SLV)
Defenders (6): Alexander Larin (Alianza FC / SLV), Ivan Mancia (Alianza FC / SLV), Ruben Marroquin (Alianza FC / SLV), Milton Molina (AD Isidro Metapan / SLV), Henry Romero (Alianza FC / SLV), Bryan Tamacas (Santa Tecla FC / SLV)
Midfielders (10): Efrain Burgos (Reno 1868 FC / USA), Darwin Ceren (San Jose Earthquakes / USA), Oscar Ceren (Alianza FC / SLV), Roberto Dominguez (Santa Tecla FC / SLV), Andres Flores (New York Cosmos / USA), Victor Garcia (CD Aguila / SLV), Gerson Mayen (Santa Tecla FC / SLV), Richard Menjivar (New York Cosmos / USA), Narciso Orellana (Alianza FC / SLV), Denis Pineda (CD Santa Clara / POR)
Forwards (4): Harold Alas (Santa Tecla FC / SLV), Nelson Bonilla (CD Nacional / POR), Irvin Herrera (New York Cosmos / USA), Rodolfo Zelaya (Alianza FC / SLV)
