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U.S. and Mexico won their CONCACAF Gold Cup groups, setting up intriguing quarterfinals. U.S. beat Haiti 2-1 despite a goalkeeping error, while Mexico drew 0-0 with Costa Rica.
The USMNT need to be more clinical in front of the goal, says Pochettino. (AP Photo/Jessica Tobias)
The final pieces of the CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinal puzzle fell into place Sunday night, with regional powerhouses the United States and Mexico both winning their respective groups, albeit in starkly different fashions.
The U.S. team overcame a significant goalkeeping error to secure a perfect group stage record with a dramatic win over Haiti, while Mexico battled to a contentious scoreless draw with Costa Rica to clinch their top spot on goal difference.
The results have forged intriguing knockout stage matchups, with the Americans set to face a depleted Costa Rica squad and Mexico poised to take on invited guest Saudi Arabia.
Playing in front of a sparse crowd of 20,918 at the 80,000-seat AT&T Stadium in Dallas—a 2026 World Cup venue—the United States capped its Group D run with a tense 2-1 victory against Haiti.
The match served as a microcosm of the tournament for the Americans, who are fielding a largely experimental “B team” in their last major competitive test before co-hosting the World Cup.
Midfielder Malik Tillman continued his impressive tournament, putting the U.S. ahead just 10 minutes in by heading home a Brenden Aaronson cross for his third goal of the Gold Cup. However, the early confidence was rattled nine minutes later by a costly mistake.
Goalkeeper Matt Freese, who has displaced regular starter Matt Turner for this tournament, received a back pass from Tim Ream and botched the clearance. His left-footed attempt went directly to Haiti’s Louicius Don Deedson, who took a touch and scored to level the match, highlighting the team’s goalkeeping questions a year out from the World Cup.
Despite the setback, the U.S. rallied. After Tillman was denied three times in the second half, the tiebreaking goal came in the 75th minute. John Tolkin delivered a long pass to forward Patrick Agyemang, who deftly touched the ball past goalkeeper Johny Placide and slotted it into the open net for his fifth international goal.
The victory gave the Americans a 3-0 record, marking the 17th time in 18 Gold Cups they have won their group.
Gritty Goalless Draw Ensues For Mexico
Meanwhile, the finale for Group A was a cagey, physical affair as Mexico and Costa Rica played to a 0-0 draw.
Mexico, under coach Javier Aguirre, dominated possession with 70% and outshot the Ticos 13-5, but struggled to break down a resolute defense.
The match’s most dramatic moment came in the fourth minute of stoppage time when Mexican forward Santiago Giménez appeared to have scored a spectacular winner with a bicycle kick. However, after a lengthy video review, Guatemalan referee Mario Escobar disallowed the goal, judging Giménez to have been offside in the buildup.
The single point was enough for El Tri to win the group on goal difference over Costa Rica, finishing plus-three to the Ticos’ plus-two. They will now face Saudi Arabia on Saturday in Glendale, Arizona.
For Costa Rica, the result was a hard-earned point, but it came at a significant cost. They advance to face the United States next Sunday in Minneapolis, but will do so without four regular starters.
Forward Manfred Ugalde, who has three goals in the tournament, and midfielder Carlos Mora are both suspended due to yellow card accumulation, while Costa Rica will also be missing defender Ariel Lassiter, who has a fractured left hand, and forward Warren Madrigal, who suffered a broken left leg.
The stage is now set for a compelling knockout round, where the North American giants will look to assert their dominance on their way to a potential final showdown.
(With AP Inputs)
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Arlington, TX (US)
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