The U.S. Men's National Team secured a 2-1 victory against Haiti in their final Group D match of the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup, finishing the group stage with a perfect record of three wins. The match, held on Sunday night at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, saw Patrick Agyemang score the decisive goal in the 75th minute, breaking a 1-1 tie and propelling the USMNT to the top of their group.
The USMNT started strong, with Malik Tillman finding the net in the 10th minute, giving the Americans an early lead. However, Haiti responded quickly, with Louicius Don Deedson equalizing in the 19th minute after a USMNT turnover in the back. The first half ended with the score level, despite several chances for the U.S. to regain the lead, including a shot from Quinn Sullivan that hit the crossbar and a disallowed goal from Tillman due to offside.
The second half saw both teams battling for control, with the USMNT creating several opportunities but struggling to find the finishing touch. The breakthrough finally came in the 75th minute when John Tolkin, a former New York Red Bulls player, delivered a long ball to Patrick Agyemang. The Charlotte FC striker skillfully evaded Haitian goalkeeper Johny Placide and slotted the ball into the empty net, giving the USMNT a 2-1 advantage.
Haiti pushed for an equalizer in the final minutes, and Leverton Pierre had a chance to tie the game with a free kick in stoppage time, but USMNT goalkeeper Matt Freese made a comfortable save to secure the victory.
With the win, the USMNT topped Group D with nine points and will now face either Mexico or Costa Rica in the quarterfinals. The team's performance throughout the group stage has been solid, with a mix of experienced players and promising youngsters contributing to their success.
Patrick Agyemang's goal was his second of the tournament, highlighting his growing importance to the USMNT. The young striker has impressed with his work rate, movement, and finishing ability, making him a valuable asset for the team going forward.
Coach Mauricio Pochettino made several changes to the starting lineup for the match against Haiti, giving opportunities to players like Brenden Aaronson, Tyler Adams, and Quinn Sullivan. These players made their first Gold Cup starts, showcasing the depth and talent within the USMNT squad.
While the USMNT secured the win and a perfect group stage record, there is still room for improvement. The team needs to be more clinical in front of goal and avoid costly turnovers that can lead to scoring opportunities for the opposition. However, the victory against Haiti was a positive step forward, building momentum as they head into the knockout stage of the Gold Cup. The USMNT will look to carry this momentum into the quarterfinals and continue their quest for the Gold Cup title.