Seattle Sounders midfielder Jordy Delem started and played 90 minutes in Martinique’s 3-2 loss to Mexico in the 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.
A midfielder for the Rave Green, Delem earned his third consecutive start for his country at center back. Despite his increased defensive duties, the versatile Sounder managed to score a wonderful goal that drew his team within one of Mexico with just minutes remaining in the match.
In a relatively even first half, El Tri managed to score first in the 29th minute courtesy of an Uriel Antuna goal from the right wing. Martinique pulled level in the 56th minute, as Kevin Parsemain curled an inch-perfect free kick into the top-right corner of the goal.
Mexico responded through a pair of unanswered goals, with Raúl Jiménez and Raul Navarro finding the back of the net in the 61st minute and 72nd minute, respectively.
Delem then handed Martinique a lifeline in the 84th minute, beating goalkeeper Jonathan Orozco with a powerful header that ricocheted off the post into the goal.
Despite their valiant effort against one of Concacaf’s perennial powerhouses, Martinque will not advance to the knockout rounds, as Canada and Mexico finished ahead of them in Group A.
The Sounders return MLS regular season action on Saturday, hosting the Vancouver Whitecaps at CenturyLink Field (7:00 p.m. PT; joeTV, YouTube TV, 950 KJR AM, El Rey 1360 AM; TICKETS).
