PHILADELPHIA – The United States has won eight straight CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinal matches, while El Salvador has never won one in four previous visits to that stage.
On Wednesday night, they will square off at Lincoln Financial Field for a place in the final four.
It will be the third quarterfinal meeting between the sides, with the Americans winning the previous two by a combined score of 9-1 (2002: 4-0, 2013: 5-1). Two players who scored in the 2013 encounter are on the current rosters: Joe Corona (USA) and Rodolfo Zelaya (El Salvador).
Here are some storylines to watch:
- The USA has scored two or more goals in each of its nine all-time Gold Cup quarterfinals. Can that high rate of return be maintained against the Salvadorans?
- The USA made six changes to its roster from the group stage, bringing in many big names. Will they play a role and/or have impact?
- El Salvador has never reached the Gold Cup semifinals. Is this the night for it to halt that trend?
- El Salvador has conceded one goal or fewer in five of its last six Gold Cup matches. Can it slow down a U.S. side that has netted six times in its last two outings?
