SANDY, Utah - Real Salt Lake Captain Kyle Beckerman, defender Tony Beltran and goalkeeper Nick Rimando all played the full 90 in the U.S.'s 4-1 CONCACAF Gold Cup win over Cuba at Rio Tinto Stadium on Saturday, with Beckerman notching an assist on the U.S.'s third goal.
Saturday's win means that the U.S. will play in the Gold Cup Quarterfinals in Baltimore next Sunday, July 21.
The U.S. got off to a poor start on Saturday, falling behind in the 36th minute when Cuba's Jose Alfonso finished a counterattack past Rimando from close range.
The Americans responded well, however, equalizing through a Landon Donovan penalty kick in first half stoppage time.
The second half was all U.S., with Joe Corona scoring a fine goal to put the Stars-and-Stripes up 2-1 in the 57th minute. San Jose forward Chris Wondolowski gave the U.S. a two-goal advantage in the 66th, re-directing a well-hit Beckerman cross at the near post. Beltran started the play that led to Wondolowski's goal, collecting a ball on the right wing before cutting a pass back to Beckerman at the top of the 18. Wondolowski tapped home in the 85th to give the U.S. a 4-1 lead.
Currently at the top of he Group C standings with six points, the U.S. will take on RSL forward Alvaro Saborio and Costa Rica in the Group C finale in Hartford at 6:00 p.m. MT on Tuesday night.
