U.S. thump Trinidad and Tobago 6-0 to reach Gold Cup quarters

Jun 22, 2019; Cleveland, OH, USA; United States defender Aaron Long (23) celebrates his goal with forward Gyasi Zardes (9) against Trinidad and Tobago during group play in the CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer tournament at First Energy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

(Reuters) - The United States scored five second-half goals on the way to a 6-0 rout of Trinidad and Tobago in Ohio on Saturday to book their place in the Gold Cup quarter-finals.

The result, which also put Panama through to the next round, avenged a U.S. defeat in 2017 that saw them miss out on the World Cup for the first time since 1986.

After Aaron Long opened the scoring with a header in the 41st minute, Gyasi Zardes netted a double to make it 3-0 midway through the second period.

Jun 22, 2019; Cleveland, OH, USA; United States forward Gyasi Zardes (9) scores a goal in the second half against Trinidad and Tobago during group play in the CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer tournament at First Energy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Christian Pulisic and Paul Arriola got in on the scoring act to make it 5-0 before Long completed the rout with his second of the game in the last minute.

"How can you be so good for 65 minutes, and then so awful for the last 25 minutes, which is a little bit of a surprise,” Trinidad and Tobago coach Dennis Lawrence said.

“That’s all mentality. We have to change the mentality. And we have to learn to stand up and fight.”

Jun 22, 2019; Cleveland, OH, USA; United States forward Paul Arriola (7) loses his balance against Trinidad and Tobago midfielder Leston Paul (23) and midfielder Kevan George (19) during group play in the CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer tournament at First Energy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

The United States, looking for back-to-back Gold Cup titles, face Panama in their last Group D match on Wednesday in Kansas City.

“Part of the scouting report was the faster we play, they’re going to tire out later in the game,” Long told The Plain Dealer. “And I think that was very true. Once we scored the second goal, it was like wildfire.”

Jun 22, 2019; Cleveland, OH, USA; the United States defender Nick Lima (2) heads the ball beside Trinidad and Tobago midfielder Cordell Cato (7) during group play in the CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer tournament at First Energy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

(Writing by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles; Editing by Peter Rutherford)

Jun 22, 2019; Cleveland, OH, USA; the United States goalkeeper Zack Steffen (1) makes a save in the first half against Trinidad and Tobago during group play in the CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer tournament at First Energy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Jun 22, 2019; Cleveland, OH, USA; the United States forward Paul Arriola (7) plays the ball beside Trinidad and Tobago defender Alvin Jones (16) during group play in the CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer tournament at First Energy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Jun 22, 2019; Cleveland, OH, USA; Trinidad and Tobago midfielder Levi Garcia (11) and the United States defender Walker Zimmerman (5) play the ball during group play in the CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer tournament at First Energy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Jun 22, 2019; Cleveland, OH, USA; Trinidad and Tobago midfielder Khaleem Hyland (8) reacts during an injury against the United States during group play in the CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer tournament at First Energy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Jun 22, 2019; Cleveland, OH, USA; the United States defender Aaron Long (23) celebrates his goal with defender Walker Zimmerman (5) in the first half against Trinidad and Tobago during group play in the CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer tournament at First Energy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Jun 22, 2019; Cleveland, OH, USA; Referee Said Martinez gives a yellow card to Trinidad and Tobago defender Alvin Jones (16) during a match against the United States during group play in the CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer tournament at First Energy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Jun 22, 2019; Cleveland, OH, USA; United States forward Paul Arriola (7) (right) celebrates his goal in the second half against Trinidad and Tobago during group play in the CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer tournament at First Energy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Jun 22, 2019; Cleveland, OH, USA; the United States midfielder Weston Mckennie (8) and Trinidad and Tobago midfielder Leston Paul (23) collide during group play in the CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer tournament at First Energy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Jun 22, 2019; Cleveland, OH, USA; the United States midfielder Christian Pulisic (10) advances the ball against Trinidad and Tobago midfielder Kevan George (19) during group play in the CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer tournament at First Energy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Jun 22, 2019; Cleveland, OH, USA; United States forward Paul Arriola (7) makes a play on the ball against Trinidad and Tobago during group play in the CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer tournament at First Energy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Jun 22, 2019; Cleveland, OH, USA; United States forward Gyasi Zardes (9) reacts in the second half against Trinidad and Tobago during group play in the CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer tournament at First Energy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Jun 22, 2019; Cleveland, OH, USA; Fans stand during the playing of the national anthem of the United States before a match between the Trinidad and Tobago and the the United States during group play in the CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer tournament at First Energy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Jun 22, 2019; Cleveland, OH, USA; Fans cheer in a match between the Trinidad and Tobago and the United States during group play in the CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer tournament at First Energy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports