Recap: Dom Dwyer scores in U.S. MNT debut as Americans defeat Ghana 2-1 in Gold Cup tune-up

Sporting Kansas City forward Dom Dwyer marked his debut for the U.S. Men’s National Team with a goal in Saturday’s 2-1 friendly win over Ghana inside Pratty & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Connecticut.

Dwyer’s emphatic strike in the 19th minute provided the dream start to his international career, coming less than four months after the England-born 26-year-old became an American citizen.

Three Sporting Kansas City players started Saturday in the United States’ lone tune-up for the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup, which will take place from July 7-26 in 14 American cities. Matt Besler and Graham Zusi started and played 90 minutes along head coach Bruce Arena’s backline, earning their 40th and 49th caps, respectively. Dwyer’s maiden U.S. appearance came to a close in the 76th minute.

A strong start from the U.S. paid dividends when Dwyer hammered a close-range volley into the roof of the net following a build-up that saw Joe Corona’s deflected strike kept alive by Jorge Villafana. Ghana was awarded a golden opportunity to equalize on the stroke of halftime, but goalkeeper Brad Guzan saved Asamoah Gyan’s penalty kick to preserve his team’s lead.

FC Dallas midfielder Kellyn Acosta doubled the U.S. advantage in the 52nd minute, burying a superb free kick from 20 yards to record his first career international goal. Ghana grabbed one back on the hour-mark thanks to a stunning, 25-yard free kick from Gyan, but the Black Stars’ rally would fall short.

Dwyer, Besler, Zusi and the U.S. MNT now turn their attention to the CONCACAF Gold Cup, where they will face Panama (July 8), Martinique (July 12) and Nicaragua (July 15) over an eight-day period in Group B.

The Gold Cup is the biennial international championship contested among nations from the North, Central American and Caribbean region. The 2017 edition separates 12 teams into three groups of four, with the top two finishers from each group and the two best third-placed teams qualifying for the quarterfinals. The Gold Cup final will take place on Wednesday, July 26 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.