July 16 (UPI) -- Striker Daryl Dike scored two of the United States Men's National Team's six goals in a blowout win over Martinique to clinch a spot in the knockout rounds of the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer tournament.
Dike scored in the 14th and 59th minutes of the 6-1 victory Thursday at Children's Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kan.
Midfielder Eryk Williamson tracked down a pass toward the left corner flag to spark the first score. Williamson used his second touch to send a short pass to Matthew Hoppe just outside the Martinique box. Hoppe lifted his head and curled a cross toward the back post.
Dike ran into the area and outjumped several defenders. He headed the feed just inside the right post to beat Martinique keeper Gilles Meslien.
Related
The Americans doubled the lead about 10 minutes later. They missed several shots on goal during the sequence, but one of the defelections went off of Martinique left wing Samuel Camille and beat Meslien for an own goal in the 23rd minute.
The U.S. men took the 2-0 lead into halftime. Left back Miles Robinson scored the third goal of the game about five minutes into the second half.
Williamson tracked down a deflected corner kick during that play. He stopped the ball and used his second touch to chip a cross into the center of the box. Robinson finished the play with a header into the net from point-blank range.
Dike scored his second goal in the 59th minute. Midfielder Cristian Roldan sent a short pass to Dike as he weaved through defenders. Dike used his large frame to navigate into the box and used his final touch to chip Meslien for a 4-0 lead.
Striker Emmanuel Riviere scored Martinique's lone score with a penalty kick in the 64th minute.
U.S. forward Gyasi Zardes made the score 5-1 off a breakaway in the 70th minute. Zardes gained control of a deflected through ball about 40 yards from the goal. He then dribbled into the box and grounded a far-post shot past Meslien.
Midfielder Gianluca Busio set up the final U.S. score in the 90th minute. Busio recovered a loose ball inside the box and grounded a cross in front of the goal. Striker Nicholas Gioacchino ran into the area and used his first touch to rip a close shot past Meslien.
The U.S. men face Canada in their final Gold Cup group stage game at 5 p.m. EDT Sunday at Children's Mercy Park.
