The U.S. men’s national team looks happy to be back.
A full-strength USMNT was reunited for the first time since the World Cup on Friday, and steamrolled an overmatched Grenada side 7-1 in St. George’s.
With the win, the U.S. ensured it only needs a draw against El Salvador in Orlando on Monday to reach the final four of the CONCACAF Nations league.
The catalyst behind everything on the night was Christian Pulisic, who played a role in each of the team’s four first-half goals — though he scored zero of them.
It was a vintage display from Pulisic, who was dangerous every time he had the ball, beating players off the dribble, winning fouls, delivering pinpoint set pieces and eventually finding his goal early in the second half.
Prior to the game, Ricardo Pepi told Univision he felt the USMNT has more freedom in the attacking third under interim boss Anthony Hudson than under Gregg Berhalter.
It may have been a weak opponent, but the U.S. was indeed free-flowing on Friday. Pepi played a notable role himself, beginning the scoring on the night off an assist from Pulisic and ending as one of two USMNT players with a brace, along with Weston McKennie.
El Tren gets us rolling in Grenada 🚂🚂🚂🚂 pic.twitter.com/cvBYclbsOF
— U.S. Men's National Soccer Team (@USMNT) March 25, 2023
The USMNT’s second goal was also worth noting, as Brenden Aaronson — off another Pulisic assist — scored his first goal since netting for Leeds against Pulisic’s Chelsea back in August.
From there, McKennie grabbed his brace over a three-minute span, with a Grenada goal sandwiched in between. McKennie’s first goal was the pick of the two, coming off an acrobatic volley.
After Pulisic made it five, Pepi scored his second of the night before substitute Alex Zendejas celebrated his recent commitment to the USMNT with a superb left-footed curler to make it seven.
That man's left foot 🤌 pic.twitter.com/o2tOyYIgMp
— U.S. Men's National Soccer Team (@USMNT) March 25, 2023
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