The US men’s national team beat Grenada 7-1 in their first game since the 2022 World Cup on Friday to move into the final four of the CONCACAF Nations League.
Ricardo Pepi and Weston McKennie scored twice while Christian Pulisic starred by playing a major role in five of the goals, including scoring one himself. Brenden Aaronson and Alejandro Zendejas — who made his first appearance since committing to the US against Mexico — scored another goal for a US side under interim coach Anthony Hudson.
– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (US)
The win means the US only needs a draw against El Salvador in Orlando on Monday to top its group and make the Nations League final four in June.
In a game that mostly felt like a practice session against a team ranked 173rd in the world, the USMNT set a new mark for the most goals in a match played in the United States.
The visitors dominated and scored four goals inside the first 34 minutes at the 8,000 capacity Kirani James National Stadium in the capital St. George’s.
“A performance and a result like that can be — you don’t want to get carried away,” Hudson said after the game.
“The importance for us is just making sure we do everything right between now and the next game and we get the job done. But the actual performance, I thought it was the result of a really, really good week. “
Pulisic, captaining the team in the absence of the injured Tyler Adams, had a hand in all four goals in the first half, assisting Pepi’s goal after four minutes and Aaronson firing home a second in the -20. The Chelsea star then delivered two set-pieces with Leeds United midfielder McKennie scoring twice for his second multi-goal game for the US
“We came out really strong with a lot of energy and just kind of put with them right away. So I think they were kind of surprised by that. Take our goals well and just a great all around performance. Definitely gives us confidence,” Pulisic said.
The US continued the scoring after the break with Pulisic scoring an own goal with a shot that Grenada goalkeeper Jason Belfon let cling to his grasp. Pepi, making a statement after being left off the World Cup list, scored his second with a near-post finish from Luca de la Torres’ through ball.
Zendejas added a late spark off the bench and curled in his first US goal from 20 yards to round out the scoring in the 72nd minute. His appearance in a competitive fixture also means the Club America midfielder is officially US-bound
An inexperienced defense that featured a debut for Auston Trusty and a first start for Bryan Reynolds looked vulnerable at times and conceded a consolation goal for Grenada from Myles Hippolyte to make it 3-1 in the first half . Grenada also hit the post with the score 1-0.
But otherwise, it was a comfortable night for Hudson, who remains in charge following the expiration of Gregg Berhalter’s contract.
The former US assistant started seven players who featured in the USMNT’s run to the round of 16 in Qatar, including Gio Reyna.
Amid a controversy involving Berhalter and the Reyna family that has engulfed the team in recent months after he was used sparingly at the World Cup, the Borussia Dortmund 20-year-old has been selected in a central creative role but has had little impact .
For the first time since the league began play in 1996, the US did not feature a single player currently playing in MLS, although nine of the starters came from the league’s academies.
