CHICAGO -- The United States wants to be the team to beat at the 2023 Gold Cup. After all, it is the defending champion and the title-holders of the recently completed Concacaf Nations League. But it spent most of its tournament-opening match Saturday against Jamaica chasing instead of being chased.
That chase was rewarded in the 88th minute when U.S. forward Brandon Vazquez scored to secure a 1-1 draw, avoiding what would've been just the second-ever loss by a U.S. team in the Gold Cup group stage.
"I knew I had to make a movement in the box.