The Gold Cup continued over the weekend with games on July 4th and 5th. The United States, ranked 12th in the world by FIFA and fresh of their Confederations Cup Final loss to Brazil, were in great form as they rendered a 4-0 hammering to Grenada. The score could have been quite a bit higher as they outshot Grenada 25 to 3 in the Group B match.

The Americans fielded a young and somewhat altered lineup to the Confederations Cup squad, but still looked effective and strong on their quest for a third-straight Gold Cup title.

“Today is important to start the Gold Cup the right way,” U.S. coach Bob Bradley stated after the game in Seattle, Washington “It was a really good team effort, four different guys scored tonight, so all things are important.”

Young star Freddy Adu scored the opener pretty early as he hit the back of the net in the seventh minute. He was on the end of a cross from the left wing and beat Grenada goalie Desmond Noel from close to the penalty spot. It was Adu’s second goal only for the US.

Stuart Holden made it 2-0 in the 31st minute. Both goals were set up Robbie Rogers, who also got on the board himself with a goal in the 60th minute. Holden who was making his international debut became the first American to score in his first game since Eddie Robinson scored against Sweden in January 2008. It was Rogers’ first goal and he was playing in only his second game for the US.

Charlie Davies, who is one of the few players who played in the Confederations Cup, got the fourth and final goal in the 68th minute. It was his third at the international level

The American youngsters were definitely a little on the inexperienced side as seven of the starters had a total of 11 international appearances between them and goalie Troy Perkins was playing in just his second game for his country.

Most of the regular starters were left off the 23-man roster so they could head back to their MLS teams or take a break before heading over to European before the new season starts. However, in a strange twist, CONCACAF then decided to allow the Americans to add seven more players to their squad, making it 30. Some of the extra players could be up later on in the tournament.

The Americans have an amazing 22-0-1 in group play in the history of the Gold Cup and see action against Honduras on July 8 in Washington.

The game had a bit of a party atmosphere to it as it was played in front of about 15,000 fans on July 4th, the American Independence Day holiday, which is a huge event for the States.

It is Grenada’s first appearance in the Gold Cup and their third overall match against the Americans. They lost the first two in 2004 in qualifying matches for the 2006 World Cup.

“I didn’t think we passed the ball that well,” Grenada manager Tommy Taylor, a former West Ham defender, said. “I think we got about three or four shots in 90 minutes, and that isn’t enough to win anything. We need to work up and move as a unit, as well as come back as a unit.”