(AP) — KANSAS CITY, Kan. On Sunday night, Sam Vines scored his first international goal on a header in the eighth minute, and the United States defeated Haiti 1-0 in the CONCACAF Gold Cup opener.
Shaq Moore’s cross rebounded off two Haitans and into the hands of Gyasi Zardes, who popped the ball up for Vines to head past goalkeeper Brian Sylvestre from 6 yards. Moore was making his sixth appearance on the international stage, while Vines was making his fourth.
Walker Zimmerman hit the crossbar just before Vines’ goal, and Nicholas Gioacchini hit the post in the 66th minute, with the US wearing new red-and-blue striped road jerseys for the first time.
Christian Pulisic, Zack Steffen, Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams, and other regulars were able to report to European club preseasons after U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter chose only four players for his 23-man squad from the group he selected for last month’s
In the Gold Cup group stage, the 20th-ranked United States improved to 36 victories, one defeat, and four draws.
Number 83 Due to positive COVID testing, Haiti was without numerous regulars.
Mexico, the defending champion, is favored to win the Aug. 1 final in Las Vegas, with more than a dozen of its best players.
Matt Turner began in goal, Moore in right back, Walker Zimmerman and Miles Robinson in center defense, and Vines in left back, according to Berhalter.
Midfielders Kellyn Acosta, Jackson Yueill, and Sebastian Lletget, flankers Paul Arriola and Jonathan Lewis, and Zardes led the assault. In the 14th minute, Arriola left the game due to a strained right hamstring and was replaced by Gioacchini.
In the 62nd minute, Kansas City midfielder Gianluca Busio made his debut, followed by defender James Sands and midfielder Eryk Williamson in the 76th minute. Since a loss in Trinidad and Tobago in 2017, the United States has made 68 debuts, including 47 under Berhalter.
After Emmaiel Riviere put Martinique up, Canada won the opening game of the Group B doubleheader 4-1 on goals by Cyle Larin, Jonathan Osorio, Stephen Eustaqio, and Theodor Corbeanu.
Reference:https://www.dailyunion.com/sports/national/vines-lifts-us-over-haiti-1-0-in-concacaf-gold-cup-opener/article_8cadea27-53cc-57b9-b248-a7033544eec8.html
