Gold Cup: Morris' two goals pace U.S. in victory over Martinique

TAMPA, Fla. >> Jordan Morris’ second goal of the game broke a tie in the 76th minute, and the United States edged tiny Martinique 3-2 Wednesday night in the CONCACAF Gold Cup after wasting a two-goal lead at Raymond James Stadium.

Failing to break through in the first half, the U.S. built a 2-0 lead on goals by Omar Gonzalez in the 53rd minute and Morris in the 64th.

But Martinique tied the score on a pair of goals by Kevin Parsemain, the first a long-range shot that went past goalkeeper Brad Guzan on a bounce and the second a pass that hit Parsemain and went in on the deflection.

The U.S., which opened last weekend with a 1-1 tie against Panama, completes group play Saturday in Cleveland against Nicaragua, which lost to Panama 2-1 earlier Wednesday.

“We’re certainly guilty of making the game a lot more difficult on us than it needed to be,” said U.S. coach Bruce Arena, who thought his team played well.

The Americans improved 5-0-5 since Arena retued for a second stint as coach, replacing Jurgen Klinsmann.

Using a mostly junior varsity lineup in the touament, the U.S. leads Group B with four points, ahead of Panama on goal difference. Martinique is third with three, following by Nicaragua with none. The top two teams in each of the three groups advance to the quarterfinals along with the two best third-place teams.

One of just three holdovers from the starting lineup last weekend, Gonzalez scored his second inteational goal after Martinique failed to clear a coer kick. Paul Arriola’s deflected shot from outside the penalty area was parried by goalkeeper Kevin Olimpa and fell to the defender, who kicked in the rebound with his left foot from short range.

Morris doubled the lead when second-half substitute Alejandro Bedoya passed to Eric Lichaj running down the right flank, Lichaj crossed and Morris redirected the ball in.

After Martinique tied it, Morris got his fourth inteational goal about 90 seconds later. He passed to Gyasi Zardes, who laid the ball back for the 22-year-old forward, and Morris scored with a right-footed shot from near the penalty spot.

Midfielder Cristian Roldan made his U.S. debut as Arena made eight lineup changes.

Panama 2, Nicaragua 1 >> Panama used a quick second-half rally to beat Nicaragua, 2-1, in a rainy Gold Cup bout. The Panamanians fell behind in the 48th minute after Carlos Chavarria fired a golazo to the top left coer, but wasted little time in hitting back. Ismael Diaz tied it almost immediate with a well-taken effort, and Gabriel Torres then pushed Panama ahead for good in the 57th minute.

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