LOS ANGELES: The United States wrapped up their CONCACAF Gold Cup group phase campaign with a nervy 2-1 victory over minnows Haiti in Texas on Sunday.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side had already made sure of their place in the quarter-finals after opening Group ‘D’ with wins over Trinidad and Tobago, and Saudi Arabia.

However the Gold Cup hosts were fortunate to preserve their 100 per cent start to the tournament with a lacklustre performa­nce at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

PSV Eindhoven midfielder Malik Tillman fired the US into the lead in the 10th minute but Haiti stunned the hosts with an opportunistic equaliser in the 19th minute after a blunder by US goalkeeper Matthew Freese.

The hosts finally made the breakthrough on 75 minutes when John Tolkin’s pass sprang the Haiti offside trap and sent Patrick Agyemang through on goal.

Published in Dawn, June 24th, 2025