USA tops Haiti to cap perfect Gold Cup group stage
The United States men's national team beat Haiti 2-1 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Sunday to finish the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup group stage with three wins from three games.
Malik Tillman opened the scoring for the Americans early in the first half on Sunday. An error by U.S. keeper Matt Freese gifted the Haitians the equalizer just nine minutes later, but Patrick Agyemang put the hosts back in front with a quarter-hour left to play.
"I think we showed a great fight today," Tillman told FOX Sports' Jenny Taft afterward. "We're happy to finish the group with three wins."
The USMNT will play the loser of Sunday's nightcap between Mexico and Costa Rica in next weekend's quarterfinal.
Here are three quick thoughts on Sunday's match.
With the USMNT already qualified for the quarterfinals, coach Mauricio Pochettino made four changes to the starting lineup that beat Trinidad and Tobago and Saudi Arabia in the first two group stage games.
The move didn't adversely impact the Americans' cohesion; they started on the front foot for the third straight game and went ahead on a well-worked attack finished by Tillman, who scored his third goal of the tournament off a pinpoint cross from Brenden Aaronson—one of the four new starters.
Freese's gaffe disrupted that momentum and gave the physical visitors a spark, though that faded quickly as the match settled into a slog. Still, the U.S. caught a second wind in the second half; Tillman had two goals disallowed before Agyemang finally potted the winner off a beautiful pass by John Tolkin, who made his first start in place of Max Arfsten.
Tillman continues to be the most productive and impressive American this summer, during which the German-born attacker is getting his first real run of playing time since joining the program three years ago.
All three of Tillman's international goals have come in this Gold Cup. Off the field, the 23-year-old has also endeared himself to Pochettino and his staff, and the PSV man has taken full advantage of the opportunity presented by the absence of longtime first-choice wingers Christian Pulisic and Tim Weah, plus (dare we mention) Gio Reyna.
The story of this summer has yet to be written for Tillman and his team, however. Now he has a chance to make an even bigger impression in the win-or-go-home contests to come.
A tie would have been enough for the U.S. to top Group D, as the Saudis tied T&T on Saturday in a match played simultaneously. The Americans finished a perfect 3-0 in a Gold Cup group stage.
But they could still face blood rival Mexico in next Sunday's quarterfinal. Even if El Tri tops the Costa Ricans later on Sunday, the Ticos would present the sternest challenge yet for Pochettino's squad. As promising as this Gold Cup has been for the U.S. so far, the real tests are still to come.
Doug McIntyre is a soccer reporter for FOX Sports who has covered United States men's and women's national teams at FIFA World Cups on five continents. Follow him @ByDougMcIntyre.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Associated Press
an hour ago
- Associated Press
Oklahoma City Thunder win first NBA title with dominant defense in Game 7
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The Oklahoma City Thunder won their first NBA title with a heavy dose of an old standby –- their stingy defense. The Thunder, who led the league in defensive rating in the regular season and the playoffs, turned in another gem in Game 7 of the NBA Finals, a 103-91 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Sunday night. Oklahoma City held the Pacers to 41.4% shooting in the deciding game, far below the 48.4% Indiana shot in the playoffs overall. The Thunder forced 21 turnovers and blocked eight shots. 'You have to really grind it out,' Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. 'It's an endurance race. You have to be able to win in the mud. You have to be able to win ugly, have to be able to gut it out. That's what we did. The team did an unbelievable job of that.' The defensive effort, combined with another strong offensive performance by Finals MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, put Oklahoma City over the top. The Thunder became the youngest NBA champions since the 1976-77 Portland Trail Blazers, with an average age of 25.68 years. 'It's one of the biggest moments in city history,' Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt said. 'We've achieved sports immortality, and that will open doors in our community far beyond basketball for years, decades to come. It's a very, very special day we can build upon forever.' Chet Holmgren led the way with five blocks, the most by a player in an NBA Finals Game 7 since blocks were first recorded in the 1973-74 season. 'Honestly, I never really play for records,' the 7-foot-1 forward said. 'I never play for stats. All that will be forgotten. But us winning is forever. It's immortal. I'm just so happy we were able to do that together as a team.' Thunder guards Lu Dort, Alex Caruso and Cason Wallace each had three steals. Indiana played most of the game without guard Tyrese Haliburton, who suffered a lower right leg injury in the first quarter. Bennedict Mathurin did his best to help the Pacers stay in the game with 24 points and 13 rebounds. Another spectacular effort by veteran TJ McConnell prevented Oklahoma City's swarming defense from being even more dominant. McConnell scored 16 points on 8-for-13 shooting, confounding Thunder defenders with crafty moves around the basket. But he also had seven turnovers. 'Their pressure can really get to you, but I was just trying to be aggressive and had some uncharacteristic turnovers, but that happens,' McConnell said. 'Just proud of the fight. We fought to the end. Credit to OKC. They are just really good.' Pascal Siakam, who had caused problems for the Thunder throughout the series, was held to 16 points on 5-for-13 shooting. Dort, an All-Defense first-team selection, gave Indiana credit for hanging tough. 'I mean, they're a great team,' he said. 'They've got great players. I feel like we was just trying different stuff to mess them up and to disturb them. We threw them a lot of different defensive stuff. We were just trying to slow them down.' ___ Freelance writer Conrad Evans contributed to this report. ___ AP NBA:
New York Times
an hour ago
- New York Times
Thunder beat Pacers in NBA Finals 2025 Game 7: Live updates and reaction
The Oklahoma City Thunder have won the 2025 NBA title, beating the Indiana Pacers 103-91 in Game 7. It's the first championship for the team since it relocated from Seattle in 2008, having won one title as the SuperSonics in 1979. Pacers superstar Tyrese Haliburton left the game during the first quarter after suffering what ESPN reported was an Achilles injury. He was carried off the floor and was very emotional. Indiana, which has never won an NBA championship, led the game by one point at halftime but was outscored 56-43 in the second half. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was named Finals MVP after leading all players with 29 points and 12 assists in Game 7. The Thunder shot just 40.2 percent from the field and 27.5 percent from 3, but they forced 23 Pacers turnovers which resulted in 32 points at the other end.
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Heating up: Here's how to snag United States vs. Costa Rica Gold Cup Quarterfinals tickets
The United States and Costa Rica have punched their tickets to the CONCACAF Gold Cup Quarterfinals. Following the conclusion of group stages, both teams will move on and get one step closer to a championship. The Gold Cup, which is held every two years, will crown its next champion as eight teams enter the quarterfinals, with two matchups being held on Saturday, June 28 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. Two additional games will be held at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. on Sunday, June 29. The U.S. topped Haiti 2-1 on Sunday evening while Costa Rica tied Mexico 0-0. Tickets are on sale for the quarterfinals matchup so soccer fans can experience the action at U.S. Bank Stadium next Sunday. Here's how you can buy tickets to the 2025 Gold Cup and enjoy all the quarterfinals action from U.S. Bank Stadium: Shop United States vs. Costa Rica Gold Cup tickets United States vs. Costa Rica Gold Cup Quarterfinals tickets The United States will take on Costa Rica on Sunday, June 29 at U.S. Bank Stadium at 7 p.m. ET. As of this writing, tickets are on sale for as low as $99 to witness both the United States vs. Costa Rica and a TBD matchup. Full 2025 Gold Cup schedule TBD vs. TBD (FINAL) - 7 p.m. ET at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas - Shop tickets Shop 2025 Gold Cup tickets
