The US also won its third match at the Gold Cup on Sunday. Partly thanks to a goal by Malik Tillman, Haiti was defeated 2-1 in Arlington. Suriname concluded the tournament with a 0-0 draw against the Dominican Republic.
After victories over Trinidad and Tobago and Saudi Arabia, the US was already assured of a place in the knockout stage. Against Haiti, which is 83rd in the FIFA rankings, a third victory followed as expected, although it wasn’t by a large margin.
Tillman put the US ahead in the tenth minute by heading in a cross from Brenden Aaronson, but nine minutes later Louicius Don Deedson equalized.
It remained 1-1 for a long time. Twelve minutes before the end, Patrick Agyemang scored the 2-1, giving the US another three points. Paxten Aaronson, who was loaned by FC Utrecht from Eintracht Frankfurt last season, came on as a substitute for the US just before the end.
The other match in Group D between Saudi Arabia and Trinidad and Tobago at Allegiant Stadium ended in a 1-1 draw. Saudi Arabia thus secured a place in the quarter-finals as number two. Mexico is their opponent in the quarter-finals. The US will face Costa Rica in the quarter-finals.
Mexico and Costa Rica were already assured of a place in the knockout stage after two matches in Group A. The countries played against each other in the last group match, which ended 0-0. The Dominican Republic against Suriname also remained 0-0.
The Dominican Republic played with one man less from the thirtieth minute in Arlington, after a red card for Edgar Pujol. Nevertheless, Suriname did not manage to score.
For the team of coach Stanley Menzo, the focus can now return to the World Cup qualification, which will continue in September. Eredivisie players Richonell Margaret (RKC Waalwijk) and Liam van Gelderen (RKC Waalwijk) were in the starting lineup for Suriname. Single Orange international Pablo Rosario played the full ninety minutes for the Dominican Republic.
Curaçao hopes to qualify for the quarter-finals. The team of coach Dick Advocaat must win the last pool match against Honduras to advance in Group B.