CONCACAF: Late Goal Carries Team USA Past Ticos To Group C Title; Cubans Blast Belize, Grab Berth In Quarterfinals

Group-stage play in the CONCACAF Gold Cup concluded on Tuesday with two games in Group C, played at East Hartford, Connecticut.

In the opener, Ariel Martinez delivered a natural hat trick (38', 62', 84') and Yenier Marquez delivered the critical goal in second-half stoppage time (90'+3) as Cuba blew out Belize 4-0 and overtook Martinique to grab the last remaining available berth in the quarterfinal round.

In the nightcap, Brek Shea scored the only goal of the match in the 82nd minute as the United States claimed top spot in Group C with a 1-0 victory over fellow quarterfinalists Costa Rica.

FINAL GROUP C STANDINGS:

1. United States (GP: 3; GD: +9; PTS: 9)
2. Costa Rica (GP: 3; GD: +3; PTS: 6)
3. Cuba (GP: 3; GD: -2; PTS: 3)
4. Belize (GP: 3; GD: -10; PTS: 0)

The United States, Costa Rica, and Cuba advanced to the quarterfinal round.

Match-ups for the quarterfinal round (all times Pacific):

Saturday at Atlanta:

Mexico vs. Trinidad and Tobago (12:00 Noon, Fox Soccer)

Panama vs. Cuba (3:00 PM, Fox Soccer)

Sunday at Baltimore:

United States vs. El Salvador (1:00 PM, Fox Network)

Honduras vs. Costa Rica (4:00 PM, Fox Soccer)