USMNT Kicks Off Gold Cup Run at Audi Field

The U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) is gearing up for the 2019 Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) Gold Cup, squaring off against Jamaica on June 5 at Audi Field in a rematch of its 2017 Gold Cup finals contest, which saw the U.S. team win 2-1.

The game is the first for the U.S. following its official submission of the team’s 23-player roster for the tournament and marks their first appearance at Audi Field as a full unit under head coach Gregg Berhalter.

“We’re in the beginning of a new time with a new coach and younger players, and anytime you get new energy, it creates excitement,” says forward Paul Arriola of D.C. United fame. “After the few games we’ve had under Gregg and his system, it’s been very positive. We’re all very optimistic and fans should be excited about the future and our first real competition with the Gold Cup.”

Previously, the team played its DC matches at RFK Stadium. Arriola is looking forward to playing at Audi Field – his home field when he suits up for the D.C. United.

“It’s exciting because I play at Audi Field week in and week out,” he says. “The fans never disappoint and are extremely loyal. It’s a great stadium and atmosphere.”

Aaron Long, a defender with the New York Red Bulls, is happy that he’ll be finally be cheered on when he steps foot onto Audi.

“I’ve been going there with the Red Bulls and playing against DC, so it will be nice to be in this new stadium and be rooted for instead of against,” he says. “It feels super up close and personal. The fans are right on top of you and it’s an amazing place to play.”

The National Team opens this year’s CONCACAF Gold Cup, which takes place from June 15 to July 7 in the U.S., Costa Rica and Jamaica. This year’s lineup includes a game against Guyana on June 18 in Minnesota as the USMNT looks to win its seventh title in the tournament’s 15-year history. The team will also have games against Trinidad & Tobago and Panama.

The trio of Jesse Gonzalez (FC Dallas), Ethan Horvath (Club Brugge) and Sean Johnson (NYCFC) will serve as goaltenders for the tournament. The team’s defenders will consist of such superstars as Tyler Adams (RB Leipzig), Tim Ream (Fulham) and Daniel Lovitz (Montreal Impact).

Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC), Tyler Boyd (MKE Ankaragucu) and Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders) join Arriola as top forwards, and Djordje Mihailovic (Chicago Fire), Christian Pulisic (Chelsea) and Sebastian Lletget (LA Galaxy) lead the talented collection of midfielders.

“We take this tournament so seriously and we want to make our country proud, so to be part of this team just means everything to us and we’re going to go out there strong,” Long says. “We’re really starting to gel and these games right before the Gold Cup are going to be the last thing we need to bring this team together and go out full force.”

Jamaica is one of the favorites in the tournament, making it to the finals in each of the past two years, so the road to the Gold Cup won’t be easy.

“Our team is no joke,” Arriola says. “We are here to win and continue to build as a national team and be respected around the world. It never gets old putting on the jersey and seeing your national flag on it and knowing you are representing a huge, powerful country with a lot of history and the history of U.S. soccer.”

Don’t miss the USMNT at Audi Field on Wednesday, June 5 at 7 p.m. Learn more at www.ussoccer.com.

Audi Field: 100 Potomac Ave. SW, DC; 202-587-5000; www.audifielddc.com