Grenada vs. USMNT score: Live updates as USA continue Concacaf ...

25 Mar 2023
The USMNT go top of the group with an easy win.

In the first competitive match since the World Cup, the United States were able to show their quality in a 7-1 victory over Grenada on Friday. Braces from Ricardo Pepi and Weston McKennie helped pace the team while Christian Pulisic and Luca De La Torre also assisted two goals. From the first kick, the freedom that interim head coach Anthony Hudson has given the team showed as Pepi scored his first goal only four minutes into the match. With captain Pulisic leading the way, the rest of the team fell in line driving at Grenada early and often.

Despite the team not including a single current player in MLS for the first time since the league was founded in 1996, that doesn't mean that MLS' influence wasn't felt with nine members of the starting XI getting there starts in MLS academies. While there was room for improvement as the team did concede a goal and a few nervy chances to Grenada, there can't be much to complain about on a night like this as now only a draw is needed against El Salvador on Monday to win the group.

Mixing things up, Hudson was able to get a lot of players involved as Pepi showed that he wanted to prove a point after missing out on the World Cup squad and his presence in space made a difference. While Grenada may not be the best competition that he could've faced, confidence and goals are important for Pepi as you can only score against what was put in front of you.

It was also a big day for debutants with Auston Trusty and Taylor Booth getting their first caps and Alejandro Zendejas celebrated getting officially cap tied to the United States by scoring a goal. Bryan Reynolds was also rewarded for his good form in bouncing back from what has been a disastrous move to Roma that he's making the best of on loan at Westerlo. With the uncertainty around Sergino Dest's future at the club level, Reynolds has a lot to gain with big performances for club and country and he was effective in this match controlling the flank.

By the time all the damage was done, Pepi and Weston McKennie had two goals apiece, with Pulisic, Brenden Aaronson, and substitute Alejandro Zendejas also getting on the scoresheet. In matches like this, all that Hudson can ask is that his team keeps the goal at hand in mind so that they don't lose focus and this was a team that was driven and not underestimating their opposition.

Going to the World Cup can bring arrogance to a team if they feel entitled to return there and that's not something that showed in the USMNT's performance despite already qualifying for the 2026 World Cup as the host nation. Part of the reason behind this is that the team needs to win the group to secure automatic qualification for the 2024 Copa America where they'll get to test themselves against top opposition, but also, the way the team exited the World Cup should leave them hungry to improve. That hunger to score and drive shined against Grenada.

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What a game, 7-1 to the United States

There's an emphatic victory and then there's this as the United States rolled to victory over Grenada. Only one goal from tying their all time scoring record of eight goals in a match two braces and two braces of assists helped pace the team. From going ahead in the fourth minute until the close of action, the USMNT didn't allow Grenada any space to operate to make sure that the result of the match was never in doubt.

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Another yellow card to Grenada

It was an awful challenge on Zendejas from Abraham that could've easily seen him red carded but he'll stay on the pitch.

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The first of many, Zendeja's first USMNT goal

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So close to a second for Zendejas

It took quite a kick save but Grenada got a little lucky to keep that out of the back of the net. The United States are close to setting a team record if they can get to nine goals in the match.

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The team is pouring it on

Alejandro Zendejas is the fifth different goal scorer on the night as the United States are spreading the love.

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Another debut is on the way

This time it's Taylor Booth who prepares to enter for his first cap. 

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Pepi's second goal before exiting

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Changes are coming

It's Yunus Musah and Dike coming in with Weston McKennie and Ricardo Pepi leaving. Hudson won't let the duo go for the hat trick.

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Daryl Dike is warming up

Speaking of USMNT returns, this is a great game for the in form West Brom striker to get a run during.

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Pulisic's goal

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Score, score and score some more!

Every shot ends in a goal as the United States are ahead 6-1 and now Luca De La Torre has picked up his second assist from midfield. It's quite a show of creativity under Anthony Hudson.

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Assister turns goal scorer!

Pulisic finally gets his goal as the ball dribbles over the line after a good stop by the Grenada keeper. It's 5-1 to the United States now.

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Back underway

Can the second half keep up with the pace of the first period?

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An exciting half comes to a close

While it would've been great to keep a clean sheet in the match, Anthony Hudson has to be happy with four goals in the first half. A Weston McKennie brace of goals and a Christian Pulsic brace of assists means that the team will only need a draw against El Salvador to win the group if the result in Grenada holds.

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If it hits the target, it's going in the net

The United States have scored on four of five shots that have been on target while Grenada have scored on one of three as each team is enjoying themselves in the final third. There are plenty more goals to come in this tie.

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McKennie grabbing his brace

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Blink and you'll miss some goals let's do a rapid fire recap

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Make it a McKennie brace!

Only took three minutes for him to get his two goals and the United States are ahead 4-1 with 10 minutes to go until halftime.

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The United States switches off and Grenada scores

Quite a stroke as the ball rose into the back of the net and Hippolyte has the first goal for the home team. 

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WESTON MCKENNIE GETS THE THIRD!!!!

Running with a goal every three minutes what an acrobatic finish for McKennie. He heads the ball then catches it on the half volley to put the USMNT up 3-0. Bring on the goals!

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What a way to make your own space

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Reyna goes down under a challenge

While it looked like it could've been called for a penalty, there's no VAR in the match so play will go on in the 25th minute. 

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Twice as nice

USA chants are breaking out as Pulisic assists his second goal as Brenden Aaronson scores in the 20th minute.

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15 minute stat check

Despite being dominated in possession, Grenada have been able to get two shots on target thanks to their work rate in midfield. The United States can't switch off or they may find themselves behind but every attack feels like it can end in a goal.

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So close to another

Safe to say Pepi is feeling it as he latches onto a ball over the top and forces the keeper into a good save. It's a strong start for the United States so far.

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Talk about freezing the defense

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The United States can't get over confident

It was Genada's first attack of the night as Agyepong rattles the post.

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Grenada 1, United States 7(FT)

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Speaking of goals, welcome back Ricardo Pepi!

In only the fourth minute, Pepi opens the scoring with a header. Pulisic's cross was so good that he didn't have to jump or move to head it into the back of the net.

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Only three minutes for the USMNT's first corner

Already playing strong in possession, it doesn't feel like it will take long for the USMNT to score their first goal. The left side of Joe Scally and Christian Pulisic is one to watch as all the action is happening there.

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