At the Estadio Francisco Morazán, the USA U-17 National Team got their CONCACAF tournament off with a resounding 5-0 victory over Cuba as they completey dominated the match from the first whistle to the last.
The Americans started out very brightly in this game, attacking the Cuba defense from the first whistle and within five minutes, Highly touted Christian Pulisic whipped in a corner kick and Hugo Arellano headed the ball home from very close range. they got on the board. In the 10th minute of the match, Pulisic tapped a ball into the back of the net but it was ruled out for offside.
Joe Gallardo had a go from outside of the 18 yard box after he cut back inside, but his final shot hit the far post, with 20 minutes gone. Twenty minutes later, Zendejas did excellently to keep the ball in play, he found Pulisic and the Dortmund youngster sent a low cross towards the middle of the box and Gallardo was there for the easy tap in. USA would get one more goal in the first half and this time it was Zendejas who gets rewarded for his effort as he blasts a shot from beyond the box with two minutes left to go in the half.
In the opening minutes of the second half, Haji Wright did wonderfully to dance around defenders and the goal keeper, but his shot was very poor and it hit the left post from three yards out. Gallardo had a go from long range, but his blast is saved well by the Cuban goalkeeper. Shortly after Luca de la Torre came onto the pitch, he got an assist with his first touch to set up Gallardo for his brace, extending America's lead to 4-0. Although Pulisic did not get on the score sheet tonight, he was very active and created plays for everyone and in the 74th minute, he fed Wright, but Haji's shot from about 25 yards out was held easily by the opposition's goalie.
The Fulham youngster, de la Torre, got his second assist of the night with not much time remaining, extending the lead to five. de la Torre found Gallardo, who was making a great run into the box, and the goal scorer had his first shot stopped, but the rebound fell straight back to him and put home the rebound.