Guyana open Gold Cup campaign with 4-0 loss to USA

By Jemima Holmes

For the first time in the tournament’s seven year history the Guyanese national anthem was sung loud and proud at the CONCACAF Gold Cup. However, their opening game did not go as planned for the Gold Jaguars.

A tentative starting lineup consisting of Akel Clarke (goal keeper), Liam Gordon, Terrance Vancooten, Matthew Briggs, Jordan Dover, Elliott Bonds, Brandon Beresford, Keanu Marsh brown, Emery Welshman, Callum Harriott and Captain Neil Danns, were the chosen XI to take the first stance against the defending champions USA.
In hindsight, it must be admitted that the debutants had a great showing in their opening game, managing to hold down the experienced USA team in much of the first half. On the other hand, one can only imagine the outcome of the game had Samuel Cox and Anthony Jeffery been given the green light to start the encounter. After all, it was Jeffery who teamed up with Callum Harriott to successfully police the wing in Guyana’s qualifier match against Belize.
In the opening half, the bold USA, while controlling the majority of the possession, began to pressure the Guyanese back- line, specifically debutant player Jordan Dover. It then came as no surprise in the 28th minute when Paul Arriola was able to get past a fumbling Dover to sink USA’s first goal of the game.
While USA tested the Guyanese defense early, Guyana’s wing Callum Harriott did the same and almost had Guyana’s first Gold Cup goal with a shot that sailed inches over the cross bar.
Nevertheless, the Guyanese defense worked hard to get their North American counterparts at bay for the remainder of the half.
However, the second half quickly became a nightmare for the local boys as Tyler Boyd netted his first international goal for USA in the 51st. after USA’s third goal came off the head of Gyasi Zardes in the 55th, it was only the that Guyana saw their first substitution, Samuel Cox coming in for Brandon Beresford. Anthony Jeffery later replaced Keanu Marsh Brown, on the field but even the contributions of the two usual starter could not stop Boyd from netting his second goal of the game in the 81st.
Goalkeeper Akel Clarke, although not being able to hold on to everything that flew past him on Tuesday night, can be commended for his efforts. Given the prowess of the USA team and their intent to trample the newcomers Guyana, Clarke held his own to prevent what could have been a far uglier score.
Guyana’s next Gold Cup encounter will be against Panama on Saturday June 22 at 6.30pm. Meanwhile, the Jags will come up against Trinidad and Tobago in their final group game on June 26.
Meanwhile also in Group D Panama recorded a 2-0 victory against the Trinidad and Tobago ‘Soca Warriors’. The encounter saw a quiet first half before Panama’s Armando Cooper found the back of the net in the 53rd. Edgar Yoel Barcenas netted Panama’s second goal in the 68th.