Saint Kitts and Nevis vs USMNT summary: score, goals, highlights | Concacaf Gold Cup
Saint Kitts and Nevis vs USMNT: As it happened
USMNT eased past St Kitts and Nevis with a comprehensive victory at St. Louis’ CITYPARK Stadium.
BJ Callaghan made seven changes to the team that underwhelmed against Jamaica in the previous game, naming one of the youngest and least experienced sides in US soccer history.
It took the new-look team a few minutes to make the breakthrough, but once they did they were ruthless. Djordje Mihailovic broke the deadlock on the 12th minute, before Bryan Reynolds and Jesus Ferreira secured the win with two more goals in the next four minutes.
Ferreira justified his selection ahead of Brandon Vazquez and completed his hat trick with two more goals; one midway through the first half and another early in the second.
A series of changes from both sides robbed USMNT of their momentum in the second half but Mihailovic was still able to add a sixth with ten minutes to go.
It was a satisfactory evening for the young US side and an opportunity to build some confidence. BJ Callaghan will now feel that his side’s Gold Cup journey is truly underway.
Djordje Mihailovic, star of the show
Jesus Ferreira will take the headlines with his hat trick but midfielder Mihailovic was at the centre of everything good from USMNT. He hasn't had many opportunities with the full team so far, but this could be a breakthrough performance.
Peeep peeeep peeeeeep
And that is, indeed, that.
USMNT swept past St Kitts and Nevis with a comprehensive 6-0 win in St. Louis. That gives BJ Callaghan's side a three-goal lead over Jamaica going into the final round of fixtures, will that be enough?
The stadium is starting to empty out now. A free kick to St Kitts and Nevis, but that should be that.
Chance! USMNT
Another opening for Zendejas, who still can't find a goal.
His curled effort is punched wide by Archibald, but the winger was offside anyway.
Four minutes of added time
I stand corrected; the referee is doing added time this half.
240 seconds more from CITYPARK Stadium.
USMNT are just playing a bit of keep-ball really but still manage to find their way through the St Kitts' backline.
The ball is slid through to Zendejas but the Mexico-based forward misses the target once again.
Gerard Williams (St Kitts)
The experienced defender makes an impressive block but is then struck with the follow up effort in a fairly 'sensitive' area. After a bit of attention from the physio he is able to return to his feet, but may not return to the defence.
Quite an evening for St Kitts and Nevis' all-time record appearance maker.
USMNT as still pushing forward here, looking to add another in the final minutes.
In the first half, with the score at 4-0, the referee opted not to add any additional time on. You would have to assume that it will be the same at the end of the second 45.
GOOOOAAAAL! Mihailovic
The midfielder gets his second of the match, rolling the ball into an empty net to give his team a six-goal lead.
Ten minutes remaining.
Final change for USMNT
Gressel comes on for the final stage of the game, replacing goalscorer/birthday boy Reynolds for the remainder.
USMNT win a free kick in the same position as the recent chance for Vazquez. But this time the delivery from Mihailovic is less accurate and it's cleared by St Kitts.
Quarter of an hour to go now.
Bit of a lull from the crowd now, who can now be very confident of the three points.
Given their comprehensive lead it's pretty difficult to pick out any faults in the US performance. However BJ Callaghan may be a little disappointed that his substitutions have not managed to inject any new impetus into the game.
Chance! USMNT
Real opening for USMNT there.
It was Mihailovic who whipped the ball in towards the head of Vazquez. The 24-year-old striker met the cross well but his powerful header was wide of the post.
Another change for USMNT to work an opening but a wide free kick from Sonora is booted clear by Freeman.
He manages to recover the ball and runs at the St Kitts backline again, winning a foul. Let's see if his delivery is any better this time.
USMNT substitution
Another change for USMNT, this time it's Roldan coming on to replace the impressive Cowell.
Close! USMNT
Nearly a sixth for USMNT as Sonora's freekick is pushed around the post by Archibald. The St Kitts goalkeeper made it look fairly comfortable but it was a really good strike from Sonora.
Vazquez (USMNT)
Quite the welcome for USMNT forward Brandon Vazquez, who collide with Archibald in his first involvement tonight.
He takes a few seconds to return to his feet but looks like he'll be fine to continue.
Double change for USMNT
Sands and Ferreira and withdrawn for USMNT. Vazquez and Morris come on to replace them.
No sign of a let-up from BJ Callaghan.
Chance! USMNT
That should have been a sixth!
USMNT swept forward on another attack and Ferreira slid the ball through to Sonora on the right of the box.
He has so much time but his first touch is heavy and goalkeeper Archibald claims the ball.
GOOOOAAAAL! Ferreira
It's him again, Jesus Ferreira gets his hat trick with a coolly taken finish.
Fifty minutes in, it's 5-0 to USMNT. How many will they score in the remaining forty?
Close! USMNT
The ball drops to Cowell in the box. St Kitts manage to get players around the young forward and his volleyed efforts is sliced wide.
And we're back
St Kitts and Nevis get us underway in the second 45. Let's see if they can make things difficult for USMNT.
USMNT change
There's a change at the break for USMNT as Sonora comes on to replace Busio.
How many will USMNT score against St Kitts?
The first half was complete domination and it could continue in the second 45 as USMNT look to boost their goal difference. They fired off 17 shots in the first half, a historically large number.
We'll be back underway in St. Louis in a couple of minutes...
Comprehensive lead at halftime
USMNT are not only in the driver's seat at the break. They are in the jockey's saddle, the pilot's cockpit and just about any other transport-related analogy you could care to draw.
A near-faultless opening 45 from BJ Callaghan's men.
Peep peeep peeeep
And that's the half.
Not a second of added time from the referee at the end of the first half. That really shows how little jeopardy there is in the game now.
Roberts (St Kitts and Nevis)
The young defender is down under a heavy challenge near the touchline.
He's back to his feet now, albeit gingerly. He should be able to make it to the halftime break.
Not long to go until the half now. Both teams look to be fairly content with keeping the score as it is.
Don't be surprised, however, to see USMNT lining up some substitutions for the second half.
Will USMNT take it easy for the second half?
This game is well and truly won, but that does not mean that they will be taking their foot off the pedal after the break.
After drawing with Jamaica in the opening fixture the Reggae Boyz present a real challenge to USMNT's desire to top Group A. A massive win tonight would help to boost the all-important goal difference.
Jesus Ferreira's second goal tonight was his tenth for the national team, a milestone that he has reached in just twenty games. That makes his the fastest male player in US history to reach that mark.
You wouldn't bet against him getting at least one more tonight...
Admirable defending from St Kitts and Nevis who are not giving up here.
USMNT keep pouring forward but some last-ditch tackles in the penalty box manage to keep the hosts at bay. A low cross is whipped in by Busio, but St Kitts are able to get the ball clear once again.
The St Kitts and Nevis team, who hail from two tiny Caribbean islands with a combined population of less than 50,000 is extremely limited at this level.
However in Romaine Sawyers, who impressed in the Premier League with West Bromwich Albion in the past, they do have at least one player who can mix it with USMNT.
As we near the half hour mark, finally a first spell of possession for the Sugar Boyz.
Burley shows good composure in defence to work the ball through the USMNT press and find Romaine Sawyer in the midfield. He skips past a challenge plays the ball out wide.
Chants of 'USA, USA' ring around the CITYPARK Stadium as their team wins a free kick 40 yards from goal.
The ball is swung into the box by Zendejas but it's easily repelled.
GOOOAAAL! USMNT
And it's four!
Another for Jesus Ferreira who was found running through on goal by Mihailovic.
The young forward took his time, picked his spot, and coolly rolled the ball past Archibald for his tenth international goal.
The corner is comfortably cleared by St Kitts but the US are back on the ball again. More defending for St Kitts.
Three minutes and fifty seconds.
That's how long it took for USMNT to blow St Kitts and Nevis away with three goals. The really notable thing so far has been the speed with which USMNT have managed to cut through the Caribbean side.
One second the US have the ball on the halfway line, the next they're running in on goal.
Corner to USMNT now...
Close! USMNT
Archibald is on hand to save a snap shot from Ferreira. The St Kitts captain has done little wrong so far but still finds himself three goals down.
Divine intervention for USMNT?
Nope, just some heavenly finishing from BJ Callaghan's side to put themselves in a commanding position within the first quarter of the game.
This has turned into a horror show for St Kitts and Nevis, but in their defence it was a ruthless spell from USMNT who scored all three between the 12th and 16th minutes of this Gold Cup fixture.
St Kitts are playing in this competition for the very first time. They certainly won't forget this experience in a hurry.
GOOOOAAAAL! Ferreira
What on earth is happening? It's third in five minutes for USMMT, who have been absolutely relentless.
GOOOOAAAAL! Reynolds
It's two!
The United States double their lead in the first quarter of an hour. And it's birthday boy Bryan Reynolds who lashes the ball into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.
GOOOOAAAAL! Mihailovic
USMNT get that all-important opener after a swift move. Djordje Mihailovic was on hand to fire home in the box.
Neat play from Ferreira to drop deep and link the play, drawing the five-man St Kitts backline out of position briefly.
If USMNT are to break down this defence, clever movement like that will be crucial.
It looks like there could be a VAR check for a handball on the second of those blocks. It would be incredibly harsh if given...
Nope. No penalty, the game resumes with St Kitts.
Close! USMNT
Two chances for the hosts there as first Mihailovic and then Cowell have efforts from inside the box blocked by St Kitts defenders.
Neat footwork from Cowell to make room for himself.
A first foray forward from Freeman, the St Kitts striker, who manages a neat turn on the halfway line. However his next touch is lose and he loses the ball.
There's definitely a bit of a weighting towards the left side for USMNT.
Not only is Cowell's dribbling an asset, but in left back Jones they have a defender who loves to get forward and support the attack.
Good noise in the CITYPARK stadium. Not quite a sell-out but pretty close, we're told.
St. Louis does have a reputation as one of the most soccer-mad supports in the country and they're living up to that reputation in the early stages.
Early signs that USMNT will be looking to utilise the pace of Cowell to get at the St Kitts backline.
Miazga looks to play a long ball over to the left wing but his raking pass just evades Cowell's boot.
And we're off
USMNT get us started in St. Louis, we're underway at CITYPARK
Pleasantries out of the way, we're just seconds away from action in the CITYPARK now
And now it's the United States' turn. The players of USMNT link arms for a rendition of the 'Star Spangled Banner'...
Those on the US bench are doing so too, a nice show of unity from BJ Callaghan's team there
The players are out!
It's anthem time now, with St. Kitts and Nevis' stirring orchestral number up first.
Cowell on the prowell
Cade Cowell comes into the USMNT starting XI for tonight, adding his direct running and explosive pace to the frontline. Can the 19-year-old make his mark on the international stage?
We're ten minutes from kick-off
Not long to go until we get start at the CITYPARK Stadium, St Louis. Around 21,000 tickets have been sold for the game, not quite a sell-out but pretty close.
The stadium has filled up nicely and we should be in for an exciting game tonight
USMNT look focused
A lot of the talk in the build up to tonight's game has revolved around USMNT's struggles against an impressive Jamaica team in the opening fixture. St Kitts will provide a very different sort of challenge, forcing the USMNT to try to break down a deep defensive block.
The States have struggled for attacking cohesion in recent performances, let's see if this new-look team can start to gel tonight...
Wondering when kick-off will be between St Kitts and USMNT? The two teams are now out on the CITYPARK pitch warming up following the conclusion of Jamaica 4-1 Trinidad and Tobago.
It looks like we'll be underway in about 20 minutes for the second fixture of the evening...
ICYMI: St Kitts vs USMNT lineups
Here's how the two teams line up for this Gold Cup Group A clash between St Kitts and Nevis and the United States...
St Kitts starting XI: Archibald - Roberts, Maynard, Burley, Ible - Somersall, G. Williams, Terrell, Sawyers, T. Williams - Freeman
USMNT starting XI: Johnson - Reynolds, Miazga, Jones, Neal - Sands, Busio, Mihailovic, Cowell, Zendejas - Ferreira
BJ Callaghan puts his faith in inexperienced side
The USMNT team to face St Kitts and Nevis will have some unfamiliar names for all but the most fanatical of supporters. St. Louis-based sports reporter Tom Timmermann points out that the vast majority of tonight's starting XI have only a handful of senior appearances for the national team.
Cade Cowell and Jalen Neal in the team for USMNT
BJ Callaghan has felt that he can rotate his squad for tonight's game against St Kitts and Nevis and has opted to give two younger players a run from the start. Cade Cowell and Jalen Neal are both just 19 but will feature from the start in their second Gold Cup fixture.
Another key decision from Callaghan was to hand to captain's armband to Sean Johnson, who will lead USMNT for the very first time.
USMNT lineup to face St Kitts and Nevis
Here's how the United States will line up for the second game of the 2023 Gold Cup. A few key changes from the first fixture, most notably the introduction of goalkeeper Sean Johnson and the absence of Jordan Morris and Aiden Morris.
One position with no change, however, is up front. Jesus Ferreira keeps his place ahead of Brandon Vazquez.
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USMNT needed a late goal from FC Cincinnati forward Brandon Vazquez to nick a point in the opening fixture against Jamaica. The 24-year-old came off the bench for BJ Callaghan's side and impressed during his time on the pitch.
After an impressive MLS season last year and rumours of a big Bundesliga bid on the horizon, we take a look at Valazquez's potential transfer...
A bit of history for USMNT too
More than century after the first competitive fixture, USMNT are set to play against their 100th separate opponent when they face Saint Kitts and Nevis tonight. That first game in 1916 ended with a 3-2 win over Sweden.
Saint Kitts and Nevis make history
Regardless of the result tonight, the fixture will be a historic one for Saint Kitts and Nevis. The two Caribbean islands have a combined population of less than 50,000 and this tournament marks their first ever appearance in the group stage of the Gold Cup.
Here's how the team celebrated their qualification for the tournament earlier this month...
USMNT return to Gold Cup action in St Louis
The national team will face Saint Kitts and Nevis in the second group stage game of the 2023 Gold Cup, doing so in the soccer-mad city of St. Louis. After more than two decades of efforts St. Louis finally has an MLS franchise and St. Louis City SC have impressed in their first season in the pro league.
Expect a rapturous reception for the team when they take to the field tonight. We should have team news from St. Louis very shortly...
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The US National Team go in search of a record-equalling eighth Gold Cup triumph, with the opportunity to lift the trophy on home soil. Those connected to the team are insisting that they are completely focused on victory, but the USMNT has a slightly unfamiliar feel for this tournament.
There are plenty of new players in the squad and an interim head coach on the touchline. Here's everything you need to know about USMNT at the Gold Cup...
Hello and welcome to AS USA, where we'll be bringing you the latest news and information from USMNT's Gold Cup fixture against Saint Kitts and Nevis.
BJ Callaghan's US team underperformed in their group stage opener against Jamaica and needed a late equaliser from Brandon Vazquez to secure a point. They will be out to win their first game of the tournament on Wednesday at St. Louis' CITYPARK stadium.