2025 Gold Cup: Caribbean sides Draw while USA Edges the Saudis
Group D plays their second group stage matches
Group D is back in action with their second group stage games, as the Soca Warriors and Haiti battled each other, as this young USA Squad played a well-disciplined Saudi Arabia side that is looking to make some noise as the guest team in this CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament.
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO 1:1 HAITI
It is the first time these two sides have faced each other in official competition in eight years, a very long time since these two Caribbean sides have had any battles against each other, even with the creation of the CONCACAF Nations League.
Nothing happened in the first half with goal-scoring, but there was a deletion by the referee against Haiti in the 39th minute. Levi Garcia received the ball at midfield and went on an attacking run. Then, the last defender from Haiti's Jean-Kevin Duverne chops him down and then gets a straight red card, putting them down to 10 men.
In first half stoppage time, Haiti was awarded a penalty for a foul inside the area, and VAR called the referee over to look at the monitor. As he saw the replay, Ruben Providence was barely touched, so the call got changed to no penalty and a dropped ball for the restart.
In the second half, the goals finally came. In the 49th minute, Don Louicius attacked down the near side and made a nice cross toward the area. Out of nowhere, Frantzdy Pierrot broke away from his defender and scored at point-blank range.
Trinidad kept battling to find the equalizer. There was a moment in the 65th minute where Tyrese Spicer had a great chance, but his shot nailed the near post. He kept himself upright and balanced, but couldn't tuck it in.
The breakthrough came in the 68th minute on a set piece. Kevin Molino took the free kick from the near side, bending that ball inside the area, and then it was Justin Garcia who got through the wall and headed the ball into the net for the equalizer.
Haiti would finally earn their penalty in the 82nd minute as Andre Raymond took down Wilguens Paugain inside the area. The penalty kick attempt was taken in the 86th minute, as Mondy Prunier launched his penalty over the crossbar. The match ended in a one all draw.
SAUDI ARABIA 0:1 UNITED STATES
On an extremely hot evening in the Capital City of Texas, the Q2 Stadium in Austin, TX, hosted the USA and Saudi Arabia for this big match. While the host nation earned the win, unfortunately, the performance wasn't up to par.
The only goal of the match came from a set piece in the 63rd minute. Sebastian Berhalter took the free kick and bent it inside the area. Out of nowhere, Chris Richards slid and put his left boot up to deflect the ball past the keeper.
Saudi Arabia was upset that the play was offside and the goal shouldn't count, but the replay and VAR check showed the last defender's heel barely kept Richards on the side when the ball was played. While it was a solid result, the first half was atrocious.
Give the Saudis credit for staying compact and disciplined in defending their side of the pitch, but the USA had no idea attacking, made poor mental mistakes, and couldn't connect in the final third of the pitch. They were forced backward many times, as the Saudis were looking to pounce on a mistake, but when they did, they couldn't convert.
So Costa Rica, Mexico, and the USA are in the Quarterfinals. Who will be next? That is where we find out.
2025 CONCACAF GOLD CUP GROUP C MATCHES
FRIDAY, JUNE 20TH
JAMAICA Vs. GUADELOUPE 7:45 PM FS1
GUATEMALA Vs. PANAMA 10:00 PM FS1