#OTD 2013: U.S. MNT Runs Rampant in Second Half to Defeat Cuba 4-1
In 2013 the U.S. MNT defeated Cuba in the Gold Cup 4-1
In a match that was strikingly similar to a Gold Cup group game from eight years prior in Seattle, Cuba again ran out to a 1-0 lead when Ariel Martinez beat Edgar Castillo to the end line and crossed for Jose Ciprian whose volley beat Nick Rimando at the near post in the 36th minute.
The goal marked the last time the MNT has trailed in a Gold Cup match and like in 2005, the U.S. would equalize just before halftime as Castillo made amends by earning a penalty kick in stoppage time and Landon Donovan stepped up to slot home the equalizer.
Twelve minutes after the break, Joe Corona picked up a bouncing ball just outside the area and curled his effort inside the right post to give the U.S. a 2-1 lead.
In the 66th minute Kyle Beckerman’s pinpoint cross from the right picked out Chris Wondolowski, who re-directed his effort past Odelín Molina to make it 3-1.
Wondo would bag a brace in the 85th minute as a one-two combination in the box between Castillo and Corona gave the striker an easy finish from close range and the U.S. ran out 4-1 winners.
The win moved the U.S. to a perfect 5-0-0 record against Cuba in Gold Cup play and clinched a quarterfinal spot for the team en route to their fifth tournament title.