DeJuan Jones and the United States Men’s National Team will compete in the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup quarterfinals, having topped Group A with an unbeaten record.
Looking to defend their title and lift the trophy for the eighth time, the Stars and Stripes will face Canada in the last eight on Sunday, July 9 (7:30 p.m. ET, FOX and Univision Networks), having continued their 100 percent record of reaching the tournament’s knockout stages, courtesy of two wins and a draw.
Making his competitive debut for the USMNT, New England Revolution left back Jones earned back-to-back appearances to help his country to successive 6-0 victories, crafting his first assist in the triumph over Trinidad and Tobago.
After the holders had played out a 1-1 draw against Jamaica on Matchday One (with Brandon Vázquez canceling out Damion Lowe’s opener late on), Jones stepped out for his first cap in official senior international competition (having previously appeared in two friendlies), completing the full 90 minutes in an impressive display against St. Kitts and Nevis.
A hat trick from Jesús Ferreira inspired a six-goal rout – with Djordje Mihailovic (2) and Bryan Reynolds also on the scoresheet – and the FC Dallas forward repeated the feat against Trinidad and Tobago to become the first USMNT player to net a treble in consecutive matches.
Jones crafted the opening goal for Ferreira in Charlotte, driving forward from his own half, collecting the ball from Cristian Roldan and cutting back for the striker to convert his first of the night. Cade Cowell, Gianluca Busio and Vazquez also found the net at Bank of America Stadium.
Revs star Jones, who also recorded a perfect 50/50 passes, received deserved praise from USMNT interim head coach B.J. Callaghan after the game.
“DeJuan really stepped up, especially in the first half,” he said. “He had a really difficult matchup with [Levi] García, and that's not an easy winger/forward to go up against.
“He really rose to the occasion – not only that on the defensive side, but then helped us in the attack; helped us create wide overloads, was able to get some crosses in the box.”
Jones’ second appearance also saw the defender line up alongside former Revolution teammate Matt Turner, who became the fastest USMNT goalkeeper to tally 20 wins and 20 shutouts, achieving the feat in just 30 games.
The pair will look to record another clean sheet against Canada when the two sides meet on Sunday at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio, with a place in the semifinals against either Panama or Qatar up for grabs.
Quarterfinals
Panama vs. Qatar (Saturday, July 8: 7:00 p.m. ET at AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX)
Mexico vs. Costa Rica (Saturday, July 8: 9:30 p.m. ET at AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX)
Guatemala vs. Jamaica (Sunday, July 9: 5:00 p.m. ET at TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, OH)
USMNT vs. Canada (Sunday, July 9: 7:30 p.m. ET at TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, OH)
USMNT group stage results
USMNT 1-1 Jamaica (Vázquez; Lowe)
USMNT 6-0 St. Kitts and Nevis (Ferreira x3, Mihailovic x2, Reynolds)
USMNT 6-0 Trinidad and Tobago (Ferreira x3, Cowell, Busio, Vázquez)
