Gold Cup

Report and Gallery: USMNT victorious in first international at Allianz Field

Tyler Boyd scored his first two goals with the national team in front of a sold-out crowd

By Seth Steffenhagen, Tim McLaughlin, and Eli Hoff Jun 19, 2019, 12:48pm PDT

June 18, 2019 - Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States - The teams line the pitch as the national anthems are played prior to the USA vs Guyana match at Allianz Field.

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota became the 28th state to host the United States Men’s National Team on Tuesday night as the USMNT defeated Guyana 4-0 to begin their journey in the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Paul Arriola opened the scoring for the US in the first half, but it was his fellow winger, Tyler Boyd, who grabbed most of the attention.

After making the switch from the New Zealand national team to the United States, Boyd was called into the Gold Cup camp as a promising unknown. Tuesday was his second appearance, and he found the back of the net twice, also earning Man of the Match honors.

“It was an unbelievable moment for me, and to share that with my parents and give my mum my jersey after the game,” said Boyd after the game.

Boyd’s success was something that head coach Gregg Berhalter had hoped to see. “It’s what we’ve been talking about: the verticality, the finishing,” he explained.

Gyasi Zardes also scored for the US, an improbable pinball finish that deflected off a Guyana defender, into his face and into the goal. “Right off the eye. Jeez,” joked Zardes.

Arriola, whose pass deflected into Zardes, laughed when asked if the striker would claim it as his own. “That’s a forward at his finest.”

The US, top of Group D, now heads to Cleveland to face Trinidad and Tobago on Saturday.

Check out some of our best game photos from photographers Tim McLaughlin and Seth Steffenhagen:

June 18, 2019 - Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States - USA fans pose for a photo prior to the USA vs Guyana match at Allianz Field. (Photo by Seth Steffenhagen/Steffenhagen Photography)
June 18, 2019 - Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States - Guyana fans pose for a photo prior to the USA vs Guyana match at Allianz Field. (Photo by Seth Steffenhagen/Steffenhagen Photography)
June 18, 2019 - Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States - Team USA poses for a group photo prior to the USA vs Guyana match at Allianz Field. (Photo by Seth Steffenhagen/Steffenhagen Photography)
June,18, 2019 - Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States - A CONCACAF Gold Cup match between The United States of America and Guyana at Allianz Field. Tim C McLaughlin
June,18, 2019 - Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States - A CONCACAF Gold Cup match between The United States of America and Guyana at Allianz Field. Tim C McLaughlin
June,18, 2019 - Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States - A CONCACAF Gold Cup match between The United States of America and Guyana at Allianz Field. Tim C McLaughlin
June 18, 2019 - Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States - USA midfielder Weston McKennie (8) dribbles the ball towards goal during the USA vs Guyana match at Allianz Field. (Photo by Seth Steffenhagen/Steffenhagen Photography)
June,18, 2019 - Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States - A CONCACAF Gold Cup match between United States of America and Guyana at Allianz Field. Tim C McLaughlin
June,18, 2019 - Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States - A CONCACAF Gold Cup match between United States of America and Guyana at Allianz Field. Tim C McLaughlin
June 18, 2019 - Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States - USA midfielder Weston McKennie (8) crosses the ball during the USA vs Guyana match at Allianz Field. (Photo by Seth Steffenhagen/Steffenhagen Photography)
June,18, 2019 - Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States - A CONCACAF Gold Cup match between United States of America and Guyana at Allianz Field. Tim C McLaughlin
June 18, 2019 - Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States - USA forward Paul Arriola (7) scores the opening goal during the USA vs Guyana match at Allianz Field. (Photo by Seth Steffenhagen/Steffenhagen Photography)
June,18, 2019 - Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States - A CONCACAF Gold Cup match between United States of America and Guyana at Allianz Field. Tim C McLaughlin
June,18, 2019 - Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States - A CONCACAF Gold Cup match between United States of America and Guyana at Allianz Field. Tim C McLaughlin
June 18, 2019 - Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States - Guyana midfielder Stephen Duke-McKenna (19) knocks the ball out from under USA forward Gyasi Zardes (9) during the USA vs Guyana match at Allianz Field. (Photo by Seth Steffenhagen/Steffenhagen Photography)
June,18, 2019 - Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States - A CONCACAF Gold Cup match between United States of America and Guyana at Allianz Field. Tim C McLaughlin
June 18, 2019 - Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States - USA forward Tyler Boyd (21) celebrates after scoring a goal during the USA vs Guyana match at Allianz Field. (Photo by Seth Steffenhagen/Steffenhagen Photography)
June,18, 2019 - Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States - A CONCACAF Gold Cup match between The United States of America and Guyana at Allianz Field. Tim C McLaughlin
June 18, 2019 - Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States - Fans pose for a photo in celebration after USA defeated Guyana 4-0 in the first found of The Gold Cup at Allianz Field. (Photo by Seth Steffenhagen/Steffenhagen Photography)
June 18, 2019 - Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States - Guyana defender Anthony Jeffery (23) interacts with fans after falling to the USA 4-0 in the first found of The Gold Cup at Allianz Field. . (Photo by Seth Steffenhagen/Steffenhagen Photography)