Wednesday, July 15, 2015

CONCACAF Gold Cup: Cuba Blanks Guatemala, Advances To Quarterfinals (And An Encounter With Team USA); Stoppage-Time Goal Against El Tri Carries T&T To Group C Crown

Group-stage action in the CONCACAF Gold Cup concluded on Wednesday with two games in Group C, both contested at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.

In the opener, Maikel Reyes scored the only goal of the match in the 73rd minute as Cuba defeated Guatemala 1-0 and clinched a berth in the quarterfinal round.

In the nightcap, Yohance Marshall's equalizer in the fourth minute of second-half stoppage time lifted Trinidad and Tobago to a 4-4 draw with Mexico and the Group C title.  The Soca Warriors, who had trailed 2-0, came back to take a 3-2 lead in the second half only to see El Tri come back to take a 4-3 lead just before the T&T equalizer at the death.  Keron Cummings scored twice (55', 67') and Kenwyne Jones (58') once for the Soca Warriors while Mexico got their goals courtesy of Paul Aguilar (32'), Carlos Vela (51'), Andres Guardado (88'), and the aforementioned Kenwyne Jones (OG-90'+1).

Final Group C Standings:

1. Trinidad and Tobago (GP: 3; GD: +4; PTS: 7)
2. Mexico (GP: 3; GD: +5; PTS: 5)
3. Cuba (GP: 3; GD: -7; PTS: 3)
4. Guatemala (GP: 3; GD: -3; PTS: 1)

Trinidad and Tobago, Mexico, and Cuba (as one of the two best third-placed teams) advanced to the quarterfinal round.

Match-ups for the quarterfinal round:

Saturday, at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore:

United States vs. Cuba, 2:00 PM, Pacific Time

Haiti vs. Jamaica, 5:00 PM, Pacific Time

Sunday, at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey:

Trinidad and Tobago vs. Panama, 1:30 PM, Pacific Time

Mexico vs. Costa Rica, 4:30 PM, Pacific Time

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