USMNT Defeats Haiti In First Gold Cup Test

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The U.S. Men’s National Team has defeated Haiti 1-0 in their first test at this year’s Concacaf Gold Cup.

Manager Gregg Berhalter opted for a U.S.-based roster ahead of the tournament and decided to give his European-based players such as Christian Pulisic and company rest.

No Real Salt Lake player made the Gold Cup roster.

Colorado Rapids fullback Sam Vines scored the game’s only goal of the contest against Haiti in the eighth minute when he found a pocket of space at the back post and pounced on a loose ball to put the hosts ahead inside the opening ten minutes.

.@gyasinho kept it alive and Sammy Vines came through with the clutch header!

A couple angles of the 🇺🇸 left back's first international goal from last night's win vs. 🇭🇹. 👀#GoldCup21 | #USAvHAI pic.twitter.com/Jpi2IAwMJm

— U.S. Soccer MNT (@USMNT) July 12, 2021

As expected, the numbers favored the United States. Although, Haiti would not go away easily. The best chance for the visitors came in the 19th minute when they caught the U.S. napping on the counter-attack but pushed their attempt a foot wide of the near post.

The U.S. controlled the possession, shot tally, corner kick count, among other important stats. The scoreline could have easily been greater than the eventual one goal as the U.S. was peppering away at Haiti’s backline.

Nicholas Gioacchini came off the bench and hit the woodwork in a one-on-one opportunity with Haitian goalkeeper Brian Sylvestre.

Nonetheless, the U.S. will be back in action hoping to capitalize on more opportunities creates this Thursday, July 15, when they play Martinique at 7:30 p.m. at Children’s Mercy Park.