March 29, 2024

US men defeat Belize 6-1 in Gold Cup play

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Maybe next time they'll spell Chris Wondolowski's name right.

The striker scored a first-half hat trick in a 6-1 victory for the U.S. men's national team over Belize in the opening round of the CONCACAF Gold Cup. Wondolowski, who plays for Major League Soccer's San Jose Earthquakes, sported an extra "W'' on the back of his red and white jersey for the first international meeting between the two teams.

Landon Donovan added a goal and two assists, becoming the first player with at least 50 career goals and 50 assists for the U.S. national team.

Costa Rica defeated Cuba 3-0 in an earlier match Tuesday at Jeld-Wen Field.

The 12-team Gold Cup, which includes national teams from North and Central America and the Caribbean, is played every two years.