The United States men’s national team cruised to a 7-1 win away to Grenada late Friday night. Christian Pulisic ran the show as he was involved in five goals for the Americans.
The Chelsea attacker officially recorded a goal and two assists on the night.
Americans net four goals in the first half
Ricardo Pepi started things for the Yanks in the match’s opening minutes. The striker latched onto a cross by Pulisic and headed home the shot to give the visitors the lead in the fourth minute.
It was the young center forward’s first goal for the senior team since October of 2021.
Pulisic then provided another assist 16 minutes later after he beat two Grenada defenders and found Brenden Aaronson at the edge of the box.
The midfielder took a touch and struck a low shot out of the reach of the opposing defense and goalkeeper.
Although Pulisic would not grab the assist for the third USMNT goal, he was certainly involved in the action.
The Chelsea playmaker was initially fouled just outside the box and then took the ensuing free kick. Weston McKennie was able to get onto the cross from Pulisic, but a defender blocked it.
Nevertheless, the blocked ball fell to McKennnie and he hit a volley past the Grenadian keeper.
The hosts were able to grab a goal back just one minute after the McKennie goal. However, it would be just a consolation goal, as the visiting Yanks netted four more goals before the full-time whistle as blown.
McKennie scored his second goal just minutes after the Grenada score.
Pulisic finishes off top performance with goal
After essentially creating all of the USMNT’s goals in the first half, Pulisic put his name on the scoresheet early in the second period.
Bryan Reynolds and Luca de la Torre combined in the final third before de la Torre found Pulisic inside the box. The captain for the night hit a low shot that somehow found its way through the Grenada keeper.
With the Americans cruising, Pepi and Alex Zendejas added two more goals before the match was finished. The huge victory takes the USMNT above El Salvador in Group D in the CONCACAF Nations League standings.
The two teams will now face each other on Monday to decide the group.
A draw or win for the USMNT will punch their ticket to the Nations League Finals this summer. Friday’s victory also secured a spot in the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup as well.
Photo credit: IMAGO / Jared Martinez/ Godspeed Good Sir Photography
