The U.S. needed a convincing win over St. Kitts & Nevis not only for competitive purposes, but for optics as well. By trouncing the Sugar Boyz 6-0 in the second group stage match of the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup, they got both.
Jesus Ferreira bagged a hat-trick to bring him into double-digits on the international stage, while Djordje Mihailovic and Bryan Reynolds both added goals to round out the scoreline.
In truth, it could have been even more, as the U.S. was wasteful in the second half, but the Gold Cup hosts still crafted a convincing result to put themselves in a commanding position atop the Group A standings. Winning the group is largely preferential, because finishing second would see them likely to draw the same side of the bracket as Canada and Mexico.
While Ferreira was clinical in front of goal, Mihailovic and Reynolds were the stars, as they were brilliant in build-up, carving the Caribbean side to pieces with both pace and precision. Mihailovic finished with two goals and two assists, playing the full 90 minutes in his first USMNT start since 2019.
The U.S. will now finish the group stage in Charlotte on Sunday against Trinidad & Tobago, and as long as Jamaica doesn’t beat the U.S. result by three goals or more, they will win the group.
The Sporting News followed the USA vs St. Kitts & Nevis match live, providing score updates, commentary and highlights as they happened.
USA vs St. Kitts and Nevis final score
| Final Goal | scorers | |
|---|---|---|
| USA | 6 | Mihailovic (12′, 80′), Reynolds (14′), Ferreira (16′, 26′, 50′) |
| St. Kitts & Nevis | 0 | – |
Starting lineups:
USA (4-3-3, right to left): 18. Johnson (GK) — 5. Reynolds (Gressel, 76′), 4. Miazga, 20. Neal, 15. D. Jones — 8. Sands (A. Morris, 57′), 6. Busio (Sonora, 46′), 14. Mihailovic — 17. Zendejas, 9. Ferreira (Vazquez, 57′), 11. Cowell (Roldan, 68′).
St. Kitts & Nevis (4-2-3-1, right to left): 16. Archibald (GK) — 2. Roberts, 3. G. Williams, 4. Burley, 5. Ible — 14. Sommersall, 6. Maynard — 11. Tyrell (Mitchum, 63′), 19. Sawyers, 7. T. Williams (Bertie, 63′) — 16. Freeman (Hazel, 71′).
Group A live standings
| Team | Pts | W-D-L | Goal Diff. | Goals Scored |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. USA | 4 | 1-1-0 | +6 | 7 |
| 2. Jamaica | 4 | 1-1-0 | +3 | 5 |
| 3. Trinidad & Tobago | 3 | 1-0-1 | 0 | 4 |
| 4. St. Kitts & Nevis | 0 | 0-0-1 | -3 | 0 |
USA vs St. Kitts and Nevis live updates, highlights, commentary from Gold Cup 2023
FINAL: USA 6-0 St. Kitts and Nevis
It’s a comprehensive, dominant performance from the United States, which was exactly what they were looking to accomplish. Jesus Ferreira got a triple, and both other goal scorers Djordje Mihailovic and Bryan Reynolds were exceptional as well.
It was no contest in the end, as the Sugar Boyz were simply outmatched in every phase of the game. Sean Johnson barely even broke a sweat, and the U.S. controlled the match from start to finish. Exactly what the doctor ordered.
If you’re looking for negatives, there are always a few, as no team will produce a perfect performance. Alex Zendejas was quiet for the second game in a row after struggling against Jamaica as well, and BJ Callaghan could potentially call on others in the squad for the remainder of the Gold Cup.
USA vs St. Kitts and Nevis lineups
While U.S. head coach BJ Callaghan might have been motivated to rotate his squad for this match against the weakest opponent in the group, he could resist that urge following the draw with Jamaica, knowing that goal difference will likely be an important deciding factor in who tops the Group A standings. Still, some players from the Jamaica game did not put in performances that warrant more faith, and changes could be made on that front.
Defender Miles Robinson missed the opener with his calf injury sustained in the Nations League semifinal, and while Callaghan confirmed he is available for this match, the decision was made to preserve his health for future games. Jalen Neal did well off the bench against Jamaica and he earns a spot in the squad after Callaghan gave him a shout-out in the press conference.
At striker, Jesus Ferreira is considered the regular starter of those in this squad, and he retains his place despite Brandon Vazquez securing the late equalizer against Jamaica on Saturday. Cade Cowell was also fantastic as a substitute in that game, and he earns a starting spot here, potentially snatching more playing time moving forward in the competition, especially if Jordan Morris misses time with a knee injury, having skipped training this week for treatment.
USA confirmed starting lineup (4-3-3): Johnson (GK) — Reynolds, Miazga, Neal, D. Jones — Sands, Busio, Mihailovic — Zendejas, Ferreira, Cowell.
USA subs (12): Turner (GK), Slonina (GK), Robinson, Long, Yedlin, Tolkin, Sonora, A. Morris, Roldan, Gressel, J. Morris, Vazquez.
The key man in the St. Kitts & Nevis squad is Cardiff City playmaker Romaine Sawyers, who was a regular in midfield for the Championship side. The 31-year-old started the season further forward, but was moved back to the middle of the pitch and carved out a role for the club, starting 13 of the last 17 league games.
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