USMNT defeats Haiti to claim first place in Gold Cup group

US Advances in Gold Cup with Win Over Haiti

Patrick Agyemang’s goal in the second half helped secure the top position for Group D in the Concacaf Gold Cup, as the US claimed a 2-1 victory against Haiti on Sunday night in Arlington, Texas.

The US will face the second-placed team from Group A on June 29, likely either Mexico or Costa Rica. It’s interesting how the matches are scheduled on Sundays.

Agyemang scored the tournament’s second goal in the 75th minute, receiving a pass from John Tolkien and skillfully maneuvering the ball to get past goalkeeper Johnny Pracido with his first touch.

Though the US already had a quarterfinal spot secured, Haiti was fighting to keep their hopes alive and needed this win. This victory marked the seventh time the US has won all three of its group matches in the Gold Cup.

Malik Tillman made his mark too, netting the tournament’s third goal just 10 minutes in. However, a slip-up by goalkeeper Matt Freeze allowed Louisius Don Deedson to equalize for Haiti shortly afterward.

Tillman, positioned on the right side of the box, confidently directed a cross from Brenden Aaronson towards the far post. Aaronson was among four players swapped in by coach Mauricio Pochettino from the lineup seen in earlier matches—a 5-0 win against Trinidad and Tobago and a 1-0 victory over Saudi Arabia.

This adjustment seemed necessary, especially since Sebastian Berhalter and Diego Luna were at risk of suspension due to yellow cards, which could have been problematic in a quarter-final scenario.

After scoring, the US seemed to have the game under control, but things got a bit tricky when defender Tim Ream misplayed a short outlet attempt intended for Freeze, inadvertently giving the ball away to Deedson.