USMNT vs. Haiti player ratings: Agyemang seals perfect group stage
The U.S. men's national team was pushed all the way by Haiti, but completed a perfect Gold Cup group stage with a 2-1 win on Sunday in Arlington, Texas.
Malik Tillman continued his standout tournament with an early headed goal to give the USMNT the lead, but Haiti struck back when Louicius Deedson capitalized on a terrible mistake by U.S. goalkeeper Matt Freese.
The U.S. got the winner with 15 minutes to play when Patrick Agyemang scored his second goal of the tournament with an outstanding touch around the goalkeeper and finish.
Mauricio Pochettino's side entered the Gold Cup on a four-game losing streak and although the group stage wasn't always pretty, the team will be thrilled to enter the knockout phase riding a three-game win streak.
Here are our ratings from Sunday's Gold Cup group stage finale.
As a reminder, here’s the Pro Soccer Wire player rating scale:
- 1: Abysmal. Literally any member of our staff would have been been able to play at this level.
- 6: Adequate. This is our base score.
- 10: Transcendent, era-defining performance. This is Carli Lloyd vs. Japan in the 2015 World Cup final.
GK: Matt Freese - 4
After a solid opening two matches as the USMNT starter, Freese made a huge mistake leading directly to Haiti's goal. The goalkeeper tried to pass Tim Ream's bouncing ball to a teammate when he should have cleared it. That pass went straight to Deedson instead, and the forward made him pay. Freese wasn't tested much the rest of the game, making the error his defining moment on the night.
LB: John Tolkin - 5.5
Given his first start of the tournament, Tolkin turned in a sloppy first half as he lost possession easily and misplaced multiple passes. But he recovered in the second half as he became more comfortable, and delivered the game-deciding assist on a great ball to Agyemang.
CB: Tim Ream - 6
Ream didn't do Freese any favors with a bouncing pass back that the goalkeeper could only play to Deedson, who scored Haiti's goal. But the veteran again proved essential to the USMNT cause with his passing out of the back, going an outrageous 107-for-114 on passes including four of six long balls.
CB: Chris Richards - 6.5
Richards had a few more hiccups than we've seen this tournament, which nearly proved costly in the first half. But the defender's passing through the lines was impressive again and his ability to win tackles high up the field kickstarted attacks. Will feel he should have scored on a late corner he headed over the bar.
RB: Alex Freeman - 5.5
Pochettino is allowing Freeman to learn on the job during this Gold Cup, with mixed results. His passing out of the back was risky against Haiti, sparking some attacks while also causing some costly turnovers. Haiti nearly scored an early second-half goal on a set piece when Freeman lost his mark. Freeman is a great prospect but it remains to be seen if he'll be the answer in the knockout phase of this particular tournament.
CM: Luca de la Torre - 6.5
A tidy two-way performance for De la Torre, who won all three of his ground duels, only lost possession four times and connected on 36 of 39 passes. His early through ball for Agyemang was excellent, though the forward likely would've been whistled for offside if he'd scored. Could have also notched an assist when Quinn Sullivan hit the bar off his pinpoint cross.
CM: Tyler Adams - 6
Adams put himself behind the eight ball early with a bad tackle that drew a deserved yellow card just 30 seconds into the game. That led to an uncharacteristic total of just one duel all game, which he lost. Adams did spray the ball around quite well from central midfield, however, going 6-for-6 on long balls and starting attacks with long switches.
LM: Brenden Aaronson - 6
We saw some flashes of Aaronson at his best, as the winger drove at defenders and put pressure on the back line. Also delivered a great clipped assist to the back post for Tillman to head home. His influence waned as the game went on, however, and was withdrawn with 20 minutes to go.
CAM: Malik Tillman - 7
Tillman continues to be the attacking star of the Gold Cup for the USMNT, scoring his third goal in three games with a good headed finish to the back post. Also continues to impress with his defensive determination, as he engaged in a game-high 14 duels, winning nine. Could've added to his goal total in the second half, but saw two goals (correctly) chalked off for infractions in a five-minute span.
RM: Quinn Sullivan - 6
Started out with a few hiccups but gradually imposed himself on the game. Hit the bar 30 minutes in after showing great desire in the box to beat his man to the ball. Also tested goalkeeper Johny Placide with a decent strike from the top of the area. An improved showing from his first cap against Switzerland.
CF: Patrick Agyemang - 6.5
Agyemang continues to frustrate with some sloppy touches, poor passes and missed chances. But as the game went on, the striker started to wear down Haiti's defense with his physicality and opened up chances for teammates. When he got a moment to put his stamp on the game, Agyemang's touch around the goalkeeper and finish were unerring.
Sub: Diego Luna - 6
Had a bad giveaway straight off the bat after coming on in the 70th minute. Mostly quiet otherwise as he helped see off the game late.
Sub: Jack McGlynn - 6
Hardly involved after coming on alongside Luna. Just 3-for-4 on passes.
Sub: Johnny Cardoso - N/R
Came on with around 10 minutes to go.
Sub: Brian White - N/R
Came on with around 10 minutes to go.
Sub: Paxten Aaronson - N/R
Came on in the 88th minute and nearly scored a spectacular long-range goal with a first time hit that went just over.