MIAMI.- Group B of the 2021 Gold Cup has come to a close and there were some memorable matches and moments that came from six hard-fought encounters between Canada, Haiti, Martinique, and the USA. Concacaf.com takes a look at the top five moments from Group B:
Martinique makes it 1000
Martinique wasn't able to secure a point in Group B, but the team was able to write itself into the Gold Cup's history.
Aptly named Kevin Fortune scored in Sunday's encounter against Haiti, tying the game at the 53rd. That goal would be significant as it was the 1000th goal in Gold Cup history. The first was scored by Eduardo Bennett.
Although Martinique was unable to secure a result against its Group B opponents, it can take pride in some of its performances. Fortune's goal will now also stand in the records -- a proud honor for Martinique.
Haiti gives the U.S. a challenge
The U.S. scored within 10 minutes of its Gold Cup-opening match against Haiti, thanks to tournament debutant Sam Vines' first international goal. After that moment, it appeared as if the floodgates would open and the Yanks would find even more opportunities to score. But Haiti steadied itself.
Paced by the good goalkeeping of Brian Sylvestre, Haiti fought back all game long, keeping the game tight, and even coming close to an equalizer at times. Though the Haitians won their final Gold Cup match against Martinique, it was against the U.S. in which the squad likely played their best soccer.
Canada comes back strong
Martinique took an early lead against Canada, but the Reds would immediately storm back to dominate the match.
It was not only swift, but comprehensive, with each of the three goals that came in succession in the first half with Cyle Larin, Jonathan Osorio, and Stephen Eustaquio all scoring. As a bonus, the team added another goal in the second half for a final 4-1 scoreline.
Canada would finish the match with 59 percent possession and outshot Martinique 13-4.
USA swift and sure at the start
There was likely no moment more impressive for the U.S. than its opening goal against Canada. After the buildup of trailing their northern neighbors in the group standings by goal differential, the USA flexed its might in the first 20 seconds of the game with a perfectly executed attack, where each pass was accurate and perfectly placed to create maximum problems for the Canadians.
After Kellyn Acosta found Sebastian Lletget and he crossed the ball in front of goal, the run of Gyasi Zardes forced goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau out, diving in vain to try to collect the ball which skipped past both of them to the far post for Shaq Moore to finish off the easy tap-in. The early goal made Gregg Berhalter’s squad appear extremely dangerous because the play seemed both easy and inevitable. If the U.S. can find a way to maintain that level of execution for longer periods, they will be a force.
The young ones are all right
No young player stamped his mark on Group B more than Tajon Buchanan. From Canada’s opening game, he was pulling the levers on the attack with lively runs, and setting up his teammates with deft passes.
As John Herdman described, it was incredible during Canada practices to watch Buchanan and Alphonso Davies (who had to withdraw from the Gold Cup just before the tournament kicked off due to injury) play off each other. If Buchanan can build off an impressive early run in the Gold Cup, then the world might want to pay attention to the growth Canada is showing -- especially once Davies comes back.
