FOXBOROUGH, Massachusetts, (CMC) – Haiti remained winless at the CONCACAF Gold Cup when they crashed to a 1-0 loss to the United States in their second Group A game here Friday night.
Playing at the Gillette Stadium, the French Caribbean side were done in by a 47th minute strike from Clint Dempsey, to remain on one point in the group following their draw with Panama last Tuesday in Frisco, Texas.The result saw the US qualify for the second round with one game remaining while Panama, who drew 1-1 with Honduras in the night’s other game, lie second on two points.
Both Panama and Haiti have one point.
Ironically, Haiti dominated the first half, creating several opportunities but failing to convert any.
Mechak Jerome struck the crossbar with a free kick early on and Wilde-Donald Guerrier, who tormented the US defence, twice came close with powerful volleys.
However, Haiti paid the price for their wastefulness two minutes after half-time when LA Galaxy star Gyasi Zardes teed up Dempsey at the top of the penalty area, and the veteran striker made little mistake with a clinical strike.
Duckens Nazon, who scored the equaliser in the 1-1 draw with Panama on Tuesday, almost equalised ten minutes later this initial shot was blocked by goalkeeper Brad Guzan and his rebound went wide.
In the preceding game, Luis Tejada put Panama ahead in the 21st minute for a 1-0 lead at half-time but Andy Najar struck nine minutes from the end to earn Honduras a point.