Joe Gallardo (pictured) scored three goals in the USA's CONCACAF Under-17 Championship win over Cuba on February 27, 2015, in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. (Photo: Mexsport)
SAN PEDRO SULA, Honduras -- The United States jumped out to a three-goal halftime advantage as it recorded a 5-0 triumph in the opening Group A match for both teams at the 2015 CONCACAF Under-17 Championships on Friday at the Estadio Francisco Morazan.
Joe Gallardo Jr. scored three goals, while Hugo Arellano and Alejandro Zendejas added one apiece for the Americans.
The USA made quick work of the Cubans, grabbing a 3-0 halftime lead as midfielder Christian Pulisic set up two goals.
With the game barely five minutes old, Pulisic swung in a corner kick that captain Hugo Arellano beat three players to head the ball past goalkeeper Jesus Hernandez.
After several close encounters, the Americans struck twice within a three-minute span to break the game open. Pulisic was playmaker again, this time slotting a short right-wing feed to an onrushing Gallardo, who poked the ball in from five yards for a two-goal lead in the 40th minute.
Only three minutes later, Zendejas was the recipient of some weak attempted clearances by the Cuba defense, ultimately slamming home for a 3-0 advantage.
Gallardo, who came back from a broken leg suffered in August, increased the lead to 4-0 in the 65th minute, when he found room and launched a Lucas de la Torre feed from 19-yards out that bounced once past Hernandez into the lower left corner.
The Monterrey of Mexico youth standout wasn't finished, completing his hat-trick in the 88th minute as he knocked a rebound of his own shot past Hernandez from seven yards.
Cuba's best scoring opportunity came in the 67th minute, but substitute Yordan Alonso's header sailed over the net.
The USA next meets Trinidad & Tobago on Tuesday, while Cuba faces host Honduras later that same day.
NOTE: The U.S. is unbeaten in 16 all-time CONCACAF Under-17 Championship openers (15W-1D-0L).
