Grenada vs USMNT summary: score, goals and highlights | CONCACAF Nations League

No surprises were expected in Friday’s CONCACAF Nations League clash between the United States and Grenada. Only a major upset would see the minnows from the Caribbean take anything from the game - and, true to the form book, we were treated to a goal fest as the USMNT romped to a 7-1 victory.

USMNT close in on Nations League finals

It’s a win that means the Stars and Stripes now need just a point against El Salvador on Monday to secure their spot at June’s Nations League finals. The result in St George’s also made sure of qualification for the 2023 Gold Cup, as the USMNT can no longer finish lower than second in League A Group D.

Pepi sets Americans on their way to thumping

The USMNT dominated from the off at the Kirani James National Stadium, and within four minutes had taken the lead. After cutting inside from the left wing, Christian Pulisic whipped in a wonderful inswinging cross that needed only the slightest of touches from Ricardo Pepi to find the back of the net.

McKennie at the double as US hit four in first half

Soon afterwards, Jacob Kwame Berkeley-Agyepong hit the post for Grenada with a fine shot from mid-range, but it was only the prelude to more USMNT goals, as Anthony Hudson’s men began to cut loose.

After 20 minutes, Brenden Aaronson doubled the visitors’ advantage when he easily beat goalkeeper Jason Belfon from inside the penalty area, and on the half-hour mark it was 3-0, thanks to a great finish by Weston McKennie.

Myles Hippolyte pulled one back for Grenada just a minute later, firing in a powerful shot from around the penalty spot - but it only served as a consolation goal for the hosts. The US made it 4-1 right away, as McKennie netted his second of the night by prodding home from inside the six-yard box.

Pulisic pummels Grenada

Forty-five minutes were all the USMNT had needed to secure victory. The Americans went in for the break three goals up on a Grenada side that could not live with Christian Pulisic’s attacking incursions, the Chelsea man popping up with a steady stream of crosses and shots.

The USMNT skipper was the best footballer on the pitch during the 64 minutes he played. He was directly involved in all four goals in the first half and was the scorer of the fifth.

Zendejas off the mark for the US

Later he would be replaced by Alejandro Zendejas, who, after the controversy over which national team he would represent, managed to score his first goal for the USMNT.

In the second half, the same US players who had started the match came back out onto the pitch, before the substitutions began to arrive. Hudson took the opportunity to give men like Pulisic, Pepi, McKennie and Giovanni Reyna a rest.

After Pulisic had made it 5-1 with a low shot that squirmed underneath Belfon, Pepi and Zendejas completed the rout, as the Nations League holders took one step closer to defending their crown.