The U.S. National Team sealed a spot in the Knockout Stage of the CONCACAF Gold Cup on Friday night with a 1-0 win over Haiti in the second match of the Group Stage. After starting in the first match of the tournament, a 2-1 win over Honduras, Real Salt Lake captain Kyle Beckerman appeared off the bench for the U.S. on Friday, putting the finishing touches on the victory over the final seven minutes.
Haiti held a 21-6 shot advantage in the match, catching the U.S. on the counter-attack time and time again, but Brad Guzan made for saves to preserve the victory to advance to the quarterfinals with still one more game to play on Monday against Panama in a rematch of the 2013 Gold Cup final.
After a lackluster first half, Gyasi Zardes subbed in to start the second half and made an instant impact, setting up Clint Dempsey for the match’s only goal in the 47th minute and it was enough for the U.S. to earn the win. Head Coach Jurgen Klinsmann would use his other substitutes to bring on Fabian Johnson for Greg Garza at left back in the 67th minute, then Beckerman for forward Aron Johannsson in the 83rd minute to put the finishing touches on the match.
With a 2-0-0 record, the U.S. will win Group A after Panama played to a 1-1 draw with Honduras for their second draw of the tournament.
In other action on Thursday, Elias Vasquez and Guatemala allowed three first-half goals to Trinidad and Tobago in a 3-1 loss in its first match of the tournament while Mexico trounced Cuba 6-0. Guatemala will meet Mexico on Sunday in Glendale, Ariz.
