Trinidad and Tobago booked their spot in the CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinals on Sunday, beating Cuba 2-0 at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. to improve to 2-0-0 in Group C and advance to the knockout round for the second consecutive tournament.
The Soca Warriors will play for the top-spot in Group C on Wednesday, when they’ll take on regional heavyweights Mexico – who are in second-place in Group C on four points after drawing Guatemala 0-0 on Sunday night – in Charlotte, N.C. Cuba is still mathematically able to qualify for the quarters, but with a 0-2-0 record and a -8 goal difference, their chances are very slim.
Chicago Fire’s Joevin Jones and Columbus Crew SC’s Kevan George both went the full 90 for Trinidad and Tobago, while San Jose Earthquakes attacker Cordell Cato – who scored in Trinidad’s 3-1 win against Guatemala on Thursday – subbed on for the final 10 minutes.
Trinidad and Tobago took the lead in the 17th minute through defender Sheldon Bateau. Midfielder Lester Peltier collected a long ball in the right side of the area, taking a touch toward goal with his chest before colliding with Cuba goalkeeper Diosvelis Guerra at the top of the six-yard box. Bateau latched onto the rebound near the penalty spot, slotting his shot past the stranded Guerra and into the back of the net.
Cuba, who saw their head coach and six players return to the squad for Sunday’s match after missing Thursday’s 6-0 loss to Mexico due to visa issues, controlled much of the rest of the first half, nearly scoring on several occasions. They had a pair of looks in the 24th and 41st minutes, but saw the Trinidad and Tobago defense deal with the danger both times.
Trinidad and Tobago doubled their advantage in the 42nd minute. Defender Daniel Cyrus launched a long throw from the right corner, and Cuba could only clear as far as Andre Boucaud at the top of the box. The midfielder lashed a vicious side volley with his first touch, slamming his 18-yard effort past Guerra and into the lower right corner.
Cuba kept fighting after going down 2-0, nearly pulling one back just two minutes after Boucaud’s strike. Midfielder Ariel Martinez lifted a free kick into the box from the left flank, with Maikel Reyes eventually collecting at the back post. The striker fired a six-yard effort on frame, but was denied by a sprawling save from Trinidad and Tobago goalkeeper Jan Michael Williams, who suffered an injury while making the stop and had to be replaced by backup Marvin Phillip in first half stoppage time.
Trinidad and Tobago saw out the second half without much trouble, shutting Cuba down defensively, holding most of the possession and creating a few decent chances. Cato had their best look in the 90th minute, but had his 15-yard effort denied by an onrushing Guerra.
Both teams will conclude Group C play in Charlotte on Wednesday, with Cuba taking on Guatemala (6 pm ET, FOX Sports 2 and UniMas in the US, Sportsnet World in Canada) and Trinidad and Tobago facing off with Mexico (8:30 pm ET, FOX Sports 2 and UniMas in the US, Sportsnet World in Canada) at Bank of America Stadium.
