USA 2-1 Haiti
June 22 – Motivation was never going to be an issue in this Concacaf Gold Cup Group D encounter between Haiti and the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT).
The visitors carried the weight of qualification hopes and the controversial backdrop of President Trump’s travel restrictions affecting their homeland. Meanwhile, the USMNT sought to maintain momentum from their perfect start to the tournament.
After a commanding 5-0 demolition of Trinidad and Tobago and a workmanlike 1-0 victory over Saudi Arabia, USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino opted for fresh legs with four changes to his starting XI. John Tolkin replaced Max Arfsten, Tyler Adams came in for Sebastian Berhalter, Brenden Aaronson got the nod over Diego Luna, and Quinn Sullivan stepped in for Jack McGlynn.
Haiti’s French tactician kept faith with the same eleven that had drawn with Trinidad and Tobago, save for one enforced change – Jean-Kevin Duverne taking the place of Garven-Michee Metusala following the latter’s red card against the Soca Warriors.
Under the sweltering 91-degree Dallas sun outside Jerry Jones’ palatial AT&T Stadium, the match exploded into life within 30 seconds. Tyler Adams, perhaps feeling the heat himself, launched into a reckless, studs-up challenge on Duckens Nazon that could easily have warranted a red card. Fortunately for Adams and the USMNT, referee Katia Garcia settled for yellow, with VAR maintaining its silence.
The breakthrough arrived in the tenth minute through the first moment of genuine quality. Brenden Aaronson, drifting wide left, delivered a sumptuous in-swinging cross that found Malik Tillman perfectly positioned. The midfielder’s header was a thing of beauty – arcing beyond Johny Placide for his third international goal and sending Pochettino into animated celebration on the touchline.
But football’s cruel sense of timing struck eight minutes later when Matt Freese, Pochettino’s chosen number one goalkeeper, committed an error of staggering proportions. Tim Ream’s routine back-pass should have been bread and butter, yet gifted the ball directly to Louicous Deedson. The Haiti striker, showing the clinical instincts of a natural finisher, lashed the ball home without hesitation.
It marked the first time the USMNT had conceded in the tournament, and suddenly the complexion of the match shifted entirely until Quinn Sullivan, making just his third appearance in the stars and stripes, chose the next ten minutes to announce himself on the international stage with a display of breathtaking audacity.
First, he rattled the crossbar with a venomous volley that left Placide motionless. Minutes later, the Haiti goalkeeper was scrambling desperately to his right to palm away a wicked, swerving effort that seemed destined to creep in the near post. For those crucial minutes, Sullivan was unplayable – a reminder of why Pochettino had placed his faith in youth.
The sides reached the interval locked at 1-1, but unlike Thursday’s nervy affair against Saudi Arabia, the mood around the USMNT was markedly different – upbeat, confident, and refreshingly positive.
Haiti emerged for the second period with renewed purpose, forced into an early substitution as Deedson made way for Christopher Attys. The substitute nearly made an immediate impact, flashing a header over the crossbar with his first touch, while Léverton Pierre kept Freese honest with a stinging effort that required the goalkeeper’s full attention.
On the bench, Matt Turner – the displaced number one – watched with the complex emotions known only to backup goalkeepers: wanting team success while knowing that one mistake might be enough to reclaim his starting berth.
The USMNT thought they had restored their advantage in the 63rd minute following a moment of pure Sullivan magic. The youngster, having earlier attempted an audacious rabona cross with typical fearlessness, whipped in a delivery that deflected off Placide before ricocheting against Tillman’s arm and spinning into the net. Tillman’s muted celebration suggested he knew the truth, and VAR duly intervened to chalk off the goal.
Four minutes later, Tillman found the net again with a sharp turn and finish, only for the assistant referee’s flag to deny him once more – this time for offside.
With the USMNT applying relentless pressure in the final third, Haiti’s resistance was always going to crack eventually. Patrick Agyemang, who had endured a frustrating evening highlighted by a missed one-on-one in the first half, finally found his moment in the dying stages.
Tolkin’s perfectly weighted through-ball found the striker in space, and this time Agyemang’s touch was sublime – soft and velvety as he rounded Placide before rolling home his fifth goal in just nine international appearances. It was a finish worthy of settling any match.
Three victories from three matches have restored a sense of optimism around this USMNT squad that had been conspicuously absent in recent times. The fear and tension that characterised the Saudi Arabia performance has been replaced by confidence and cohesion. The vibes, as the players might say, are decidedly positive.
For Haiti, their tournament journey ends here, but they depart with dignity intact after a spirited performance that showcased the talent and determination that brought them this far.
As the knockout stages beckon, Pochettino’s men appear to be finding their rhythm at precisely the right moment. The group is gelling, the confidence is building, and suddenly, the future looks considerably brighter for American soccer.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1750662444labto1750662444ofdlr1750662444owedi1750662444sni@r1750662444etsbe1750662444w.kci1750662444n1750662444