Malik Tillman proved his worth for the United States directly at the start of the Gold Cup on Sunday. The PSV midfielder accounted for two goals in the first group match against Trinidad and Tobago. The final score was 5-0.
The PSV player opened the scoring in San Jose after fifteen minutes and doubled the Americans’ lead just before halftime. Both times, Tillman shot from close range. After halftime, the host country extended the lead through Patrick Agyemang, Brenden Aaronson, and Haji Wright.
Tillman had a strong season with PSV, with which he still won the national title after a sensational final phase. In the championship match against Sparta, Tillman decided the match by scoring the 1-3 just before time. He scored twelve goals in the Eredivisie.
Saudi Arabia and Haiti are the other two countries in the group of the United States, which has been led by head coach Mauricio Pochettino since last year.
Suriname close to stunt
Suriname was close to a stunt against Costa Rica in San Diego, but it still went wrong in the final phase. It became 4-3 for Costa Rica. Manfred Ugalde scored the winning goal for Costa Rica in the thirteenth minute of injury time from a penalty. The former FC Twente player now plays for Spartak Moscow.
For the Suriname of national coach Stanley Menzo, Gyrano Kerk, Richonell Margaret and Shaquille Pinas were accurate. Suriname, which is only participating in the Gold Cup for the second time, was 3-2 ahead with fifteen minutes to play.
The Gold Cup, intended for countries from North America, Central America and the Caribbean, started last weekend. In the opening match, title holder Mexico was 3-2 too strong for the Dominican Republic.
Mexico has won the biennial tournament most often: nine times. The Americans are organizing the tournament this year together with Canada.