USA Faces Trinidad and Tobago in Copa Oro 2025 Opener

MIAMI – The United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) begins its journey in the Copa Oro 2025 against Trinidad and Tobago this Sunday at PayPal Park in San José, California. The match marks the sixth meeting between the two teams in the summer tournament, with the US dominating the history with five victories over the Soca Warriors.

The last encounter was in the quarterfinals of the Concacaf Nations League 2023/24, where Trinidad and Tobago won 2-1 in the return leg but the US advanced with an aggregate score of 4-2.

The US is aiming for its eighth Gold Cup title. With seven championships, they are the second most successful team in the tournament’s history. Under new coach Mauricio Pochettino, who is making his official tournament debut, the team looks to regain its winning momentum. Veterans like Matt Turner and Walker Zimmerman, who were part of the 2021 championship team, will provide crucial experience.

Other key players include Tim Ream and Tyler Adams, both with captaincy experience and former World Cup 2022 participants. Young talents like Sebastian Berhalter and Brian White, recognized in the Concacaf Champions Cup 2025, are also included in the squad.

On the other hand, Trinidad and Tobago hope to advance to the knockout stage for the first time since 2015. Their best performance was in 2000, reaching the semifinals led by Dwight Yorke, who is now the team’s coach. Under Yorke’s leadership, they have reached the final qualifying round for the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Ten different players have scored during the second round of World Cup qualifying for Trinidad and Tobago, including Levi García and Nathaniel James, who will aim to continue their scoring streak in the Gold Cup. The squad features experienced players like Marvin Phillip and Kevin Molino, each boasting multiple Gold Cup appearances.

This match marks the 31st overall encounter between the teams, with the US holding 22 victories compared to Trinidad and Tobago’s five. The last encounter ended with Trinidad winning 2-1, breaking a series of four consecutive losses to the US.

As the US prepares for this important tournament, Pochettino’s squad is under significant pressure to perform well following disappointing recent defeats. The absence of key players such as Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, and Gio Reyna leaves the team with little margin for error. However, they remain determined to reclaim their position as a tournament favorite with a strong showing in the Copa Oro.

Trinidad and Tobago seek to capitalize on the US team’s vulnerabilities. With the stakes high, the match will set the tone for both teams in Group D, as they aim for a successful start to their Copa Oro campaigns.