PHILADELPHIA — Several familiar faces rejoined the U.S. men’s national team lineup Wednesday, a fresh injection of experience and resolve for the final, week-long sprint toward the CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer title.
With a mix of newcomers and holdovers, the Americans needed almost one half to find their bearings before striking twice in a five-minute span and downing El Salvador, 2-0, before 31,615 at Lincoln Financial Field.
The goals came from unsuspecting characters — center back Omar Gonzalez and right back Eric Lichaj — as the United States advanced to Saturday’s semifinal against Costa Rica at AT&T Stadium near Dallas.