DOOPing Overseas: How did current and former Union players fare at the Gold Cup?

Welcome to a special Gold Cup edition of DOOPing Overseas! There were plenty of current and former Union players representing their nations during the Concacaf Gold Cup over the past few weeks. Current and former Union goalies produced Man of the Match performances and penalty heroics, while one former Union attacker found the back of the net for the U.S. Men’s National Team. 

With sustained success this decade, fans have seen some of the brightest academy talents, their favorite players, and outcasts make their way overseas to compete in some of the best leagues in the world. The club is represented in Europe, South America, the Middle East, and more.

Let’s see how current and former Union players fared at the Gold Cup!

Current Union Players

Andre Blake – The Union goalkeeper had an up and down Gold Cup for Jamaica. Blake made three saves in a 1-0 loss to Guatemala, but followed that up with a Man of the Match performance against Guadeloupe, making four saves in a 2-1 win. The 34-year-old struggled in Jamaica’s final group stage game, conceding four times and committing an error that led to a goal in a 4-1 loss to Panama. Blake and Jamaica finished third in Group C, failing to advance to the knockout rounds for the first time since 2013. 

Danley Jean Jacques – The Union midfielder started and played every minute of the tournament for Haiti. Jean Jacques was a standout for Haiti in its 1-1 draw against Trinidad and Tobago, winning the most duels (seven) in the match. However, losses to Saudi Arabia and the United States meant that Haiti finished last in Group D, failing to make it out of the group stage for the third consecutive Gold Cup. 

Quinn Sullivan – The Union attacker made just one appearance for the U.S Men’s National Team at the Gold Cup, starting and playing 70 minutes in a 2-1 win against Haiti. Sullivan was lively throughout the match, registering two shots on target and creating the most chances (two) in the match. Sullivan was replaced in the 70th minute by former Union midfielder Jack McGlynn. Sullivan was an unused substitute for the first two group stage games and the three knockout round games. 

Nathan Harriel – After playing 115 minutes across two international friendlies for the USMNT in early June, Harriel did not see action at the Gold Cup.

Former Union Players

Matt Freese – The former Union goalkeeper was one of the biggest reasons why the USMNT made it to the Gold Cup Final against Mexico. Freese held two clean sheets in the first two group stage matches against Trinidad and Tobago and Saudi Arabia. The 26-year-old struggled in the final group stage game against Haiti, committing an error that led to a goal. However, Freese made up for that mistake in the quarterfinals. He saved three penalties in a penalty shootout against Costa Rica, sending the USMNT to the semifinals. The current NYCFC goalie had another strong performance to send his country to the Gold Cup Final, making four saves in a 2-1 win over Guatemala. Despite Freese’s six saves in the final, the USMNT conceded twice in a loss to Mexico.

Brenden Aaronson – The former Union attacker was a bright spot for the USMNT in the group stage. Aaronson came off the bench to score in a 5-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago and assisted on the opening goal in a 2-1 win over Haiti. Despite his performance in the group stage, the 24-year-old only played 36 minutes in the knockout round and only four minutes in the Gold Cup Final. 

Jack McGlynn – Just like his former Union teammate Aaronson, McGlynn was a bright spot for the USMNT in the group stage, but didn’t see much action after that. McGlynn assisted on the USMNT’s opening goal of the tournament in a 5-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago. He created four chances, the most in the match. He also started and created the most chances (two) in the match against Saudi Arabia. The 22-year-old came off the bench for the final 20 minutes against Haiti. The current Houston Dynamo midfielder only played a combined 28 minutes in three knockout round games and was not selected as one of the six penalty takers against Costa Rica. 

Mark McKenzie – The former Union center back played 16 minutes in the opening match of the tournament, but never saw action after that match. 

Paxten Aaronson – The former Union attacking midfielder came off the bench to play seven minutes against Trinidad and Tobago and two minutes against Haiti. He was an unused substitute in all three knockout games.