Tyler Boyd scored twice as the United States started its Gold Cup campaign with a 4-0 win over Guyana at Allianz Field in St. Paul, Minnesota on Tuesday night.

U.S. manager Gregg Berhalter made three changes from the lineup that started a 3-0 loss to Venezuela on June 9, the last of 18 exhibitions for the Americans since the October 2017 loss at Trinidad and Tobago that ended a streak of seven World Cup appearances. He inserted Michael Bradley as captain for the first time in his tenure, Christian Pulisic into the midfield and Walker Zimmerman in central defence, removing Wil Trapp, Christian Roldan and Matt Miazga.

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Guyana frustrated the U.S. in the opening 30 minutes, but the Americans found a way through just before the half-hour mark when Paul Arriola picked up a pass from Weston McKinnie and blasted a shot past Akel Clarke to make it 1-0.

"We knew we had to get started on the right foot and after breaking the ice, we were able to break them down," Arriola said.

"The most important thing was to win with confidence and clarity and I think we did that today. It's a great start for us but it's just one game."

Gyasi Zardes had a golden chance to double the lead right before half-time but inexplicably whiffed on the doorstep after Arriola had headed the ball back across the goal to him.

The U.S. got off to the perfect start in the second half when Boyd cut inside to his left foot in the 51st minute and hit a nice low line drive past Clarke to double the lead.

Boyd's 52nd minute-goal, his first for the U.S. national team, marked the 1,000th in program history in match No. 700.

Zardes was credited for the third goal in somewhat bizarre fashion as a headed clearance from the Guyana defense bounced hard off the Columbus Crew forward's forehead and went into the back of the net.

Boyd then scored another excellent goal, this time courtesy of a slight deflection, this time cutting onto his right foot firing home from just outside the area to make it 4-0 in favor of the U.S.

The victory was the biggest yet for Berhalter, who was hired in December after the United States failed to make last year's World Cup.

One concern for the team was a left hamstring injury suffered by 20-year-old midfielder McKennie late in the game.

Next up for Berhalter's side, which is atop Group D on goal differential, is a much-anticipated match against Trinidad and Tobago on Saturday, while Guyana will face Panama on the same day.