Martinique vs USMNT live on July 15, 2021: Les Matinino eyeing historic Gold Cup win vs Stars and Stripes

July 15, 2021 By Ali M.

Topics: TV Schedules, Martinique, USMNT, Gold Cup

The Stars and Stripes will look to shake off a lackluster opening day performance when they take on Les Matinino. Here's a preview of their clash.

Preview

The USMNT are back in action during the midweek, taking on Martinique on Matchday 2 of the 2021 Gold Cup. While the Stars and Stripes head into this fixture on the back of a win, the continental powerhouses will need a drastic improvement in their performance when they lock horns with their Group B opponent at the Children's Mercy Park at 9:30 p.m. ET.

Gregg Berhalter's side kicked off their campaign for a seventh Gold Cup title – and first since 2017 – on Sunday with a 1-0 victory over Haiti. The most crucial aspect of an opening game in any major international tournament is the three points and while USA came away with exactly that, it was a performance that sparked more worry than joy.

With the likes of Gio Reyna, Christian Pulisic, and Weston McKennie all being left out of the 2021 Gold Cup squad, the head coach looked to a mainly-inexperienced starting XI to inspire them to victory, and while the win was secure, the display was anything but inspirational. A goal inside the opening 10 minutes from Sam Vines ensured the three points, but after breaking the deadlock, there was little to no excitement from the CONCACAF heavyweights.

A lack of cohesion up front was their biggest issue, with the USMNT star performance coming from 24-year-old right-back Shaq Moore. However, this is not to say there were no positives from their weekend triumph. Led by Nashville SC center-back Walker Zimmerman, Berhalter's back-four kept things tidy at the back and were rarely threatened. Teams with lackluster attacks have lifted silverware on the back of a rock-solid defense, so the Stars and Stripes' detractors should not enter full-drive just yet.

This fixture is crucial as it could set the tone for their final group-stage fixture – a juicy showdown with North American rivals Canada. Both nations are on three points, but thanks to a superior goal difference, the advantage lies in Les Rouges' favor, having beaten Martinique 4-1 in their opener.

Having suffered a rough beating on Matchday 1, Martinique will be looking to bounce back. Overcoming the CONCACAF Nations League champions will not be easy but they can take confidence from their last encounter, nearly pulling off a comeback draw when they faced off in the 2017 Gold Cup despite going 2-0 down.

Team news

Martinique: The underdogs have no injury concerns heading into this tie, which is a huge boost. Emmanuel Riviere is in excellent form for his country and is expected to lead the line against the USMNT.

USMNT: Reggie Cannon is out due to a hamstring injury, but given that the Stars and Stripe did just fine against Haiti in his absence, all should be fine for Berhalter's side. Paul Arriola, who started in the 1-0 weekend triumph, is also facing fitness issues and is thus tipped to sit this one out.

Key stats

USA have never lost against Martinique, having beaten their opponent in their two previous encounters.
The Stars and Stripes have won all but one of their last five outings (L1).
Les Matinino, on the other hand, have drawn three and lost the remaining two in as many fixtures.