USA beat El Salvador 2-0 in last night's Gold Cup quarter-final. The game was wrapped up late in the second half when the US scored both of their goals in five minutes just before half time. Omar Gonzalez and Eric Lichaj were the scorers.
Post-match, the main talking point was not the US' progression to the semi-final. Rather, it was El Salvador's treatment of Jozy Altidore.
Centre-back Henry Romero gave the former Sunderland forward some particularly close, nipply-twisting attention.
#SLV players are pulling out all the #CONCACAF dark arts now, trying to bait #USMNT players into retaliating, especially Altidore. #USAvSLV pic.twitter.com/4ENf8xpAYv
— Jason Foster (@JogaBonitoUSA) July 20, 2017
Romero also appeared to bite Altidore as players awaited a set piece delivery.
US goalscorer Omar Gonzalez said after the game that he had also been bitten by an opponent.
The funny side of El Salvador's tactics was observed by Altidore after the game. He joked that Romero had made his girlfriend somewhat jealous.
My girl’s mad at me. She’s mad at me and she’s mad at Romero. She’s like 'Only I can bite you. Only I can grab your nipples.'
It’s never happened to me before, but CONCACAF never ceases to amaze me.
Tim Howard also joked that though biting should not be allowed, nipple twisting should.
I’m sure CONCACAF will uh, will uh, I don’t know. I’m sure they will do what they’re supposed to do.
"You can’t go around biting people. That’s crazy. [The nipple twisting] should be allowed, but the biting is no good.
