Dom Dwyer scored in his international debut as the US beat Ghana 2-1 on Saturday in an exhibition match ahead of the Gold Cup.

Dwyer, a 26-year-old English forward who gained American citizenship in March, put the hosts ahead in the 19th minute with an acrobatic volley. Joe Corona’s shot ricocheted off Jorge Villafana and into Dwyer’s path, with the striker volleying in with his left foot.

Brad Guzan saved Asamoah Gyan’s penalty kick in first-half stoppage time, and Kellyn Acosta added his first international goal in the 52nd minute, with a low free kick from just outside the penalty area that went through the wall and past goalkeeper Richard Ofori.

Gyan scored for the Black Stars in the 60th minute with a free kick that beat Guzan and went in just under the crossbar. Ofori made an outstanding stop in the 66th minute to deny Alejandro Bedoya’s back-post header from Jordan Morris’ cross.

US coach Bruce Arena changed eight starters from his line-up in the June 11 World Cup qualifier at Mexico, retaining only Guzan, Acosta and Paul Arriola. Seven players started with fewer than 10 international appearances.

Arena’s first stint as coach ended after eight years in 2006 when Ghana put his team out of the 2006 World Cup, but they have four wins and four draws since his return.

Most Europe-based players are on vacation ahead of pre-season training, with Arena choosing youth over experience in many instances for his Gold Cup roster, wanting to evaluate the deeper reaches of his player pool. The US open the Gold Cup against Panama on July 8 in Nashville, then play Martinique on July 12 in Tampa, and Nicaragua on July 15 in Cleveland.

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Dwyer, who has played for Sporting Kansas City since 2012, has been married since January 2015 to Sydney Leroux, a 26-year-old forward who was born in Canada but has 35 goals in 75 appearances for the US and was part of the team that won the 2015 World Cup. They are only the fourth husband and wife who have both played for the US.

“I’m insanely proud of him and so happy for the overall win for the MNT,” Leroux said. “I love the fact that we both came to the USA from other countries and get to chase our dreams together, wearing the crest that means so much to us. When he scored, it’s really hard to describe the feeling. Just chills. I know this is only the beginning for him.”