SAN JOSE, Calif. -
Placed in Group C alongside Mexico, one of the favorites of the tournament, Guatemala and Jamaica, few picked Trinidad & Tobago to advance to the quarterfinals.
But T&T did more than advance; they emerged as group winners with an undefeated 2-0-1 record.
San Jose Earthquakes midfielder Cordell Cato contributed to an offense that scored nine goals through the group stage, second most in the tournament, and one of only two teams to score more than four total goals in their first three matches.
Cato, 23, has appeared in all three matches thus far, making two starts. He scored in the team’s opening match against Guatemala, a 3-1 victory, and tallied an assist in T&T’s thrilling 4-4 draw with Mexico yesterday.
In the 13th minute of T&T’s first Gold Cup match against Guatemala, Cato intercepted a pass from the opposing back line, danced around the oncoming goalkeeper and tucked his shot into the back of the net.
In yesterday’s match against Mexico, Cato set up striker Kenwyne Jones for a close range strike to put the Soca Warriors level 2-2 in the 58th minute. After receiving a through ball from Keron Cummings in the middle of the park, Cato received the ball, took a touch to the endline and served a low cross ahead of Jones for the finish.
Trinidad & Tobago will take on Panama on Sunday, July 19, beginning at 1:30 p.m. PT. The match will be played at Metlife Stadium in New Jersey.
