ARLINGTON, Texas — United States supervisor Mauricio Pochettino mentioned he was happy to see his crew ship a “skilled efficiency” in defeating Haiti 2-1 within the Concacaf Gold Cup.
Malik Tillman and Patrick Agyemang scored both aspect of halftime, permitting the USMNT to win its third straight match within the match, and clinch the highest spot in Group D. The U.S. will face both Costa Rica or Mexico within the quarterfinals.
The match marked one other spectacular efficiency for Tillman, who along with scoring this third purpose of the match, contributed on the defensive finish with a team-high seven recoveries. That contribution with out the ball was observed by Pochettino.
“Malik, it is tough to outline him as a result of what a participant, no?” he mentioned. “What a participant that’s displaying this, all his expertise and capability. As a result of one of these participant, the expertise that he has proven with each single sport after which with the capability with out ball, the work ethic in the way in which that he actually is aggressive, he recovered a whole lot of balls. He is all the time making an attempt to assist the deep press, chasing again, taking part in in numerous positions.
“He can seem like a No. 10 in coaching, between the strains, utilizing the half house, however could be in the correct or left aspect, vast. Or he can drop and play like a No. 8, No. 6. I believe, ‘What a proficient participant.’ So happy with him.”
The U.S. broke on high within the tenth minute when Tillman headed dwelling Brenden Aaronson’s cross. However Haiti equalized within the nineteenth minute when U.S. keeper Matthew Freese despatched Tim Ream’s again go straight to Louicius Deedson, whose curling effort beat him at his far submit.
The USMNT was dominant within the second half, with Tillman going shut just a few occasions, together with an effort within the 63rd minute that was waived off for handball. However Pochettino’s aspect lastly broke by means of with quarter-hour to go. John Tolkin, making his first begin of the match, despatched a lofted ball into house for Agyemang, who rounded Haiti goalkeeper Johny Placide and scored from a good angle.
“I believe total it was efficiency. Possibly we weren’t as medical with the possibilities that we had. I believe we should always rating extra,” mentioned Pochettino. “However I believe once we rating and we lead the sport after which an accident, I believe that we concede the purpose. I believe that created slightly bit doubt in us. Once more, I believe it was robust to take care of that, however I believe total the efficiency was good.”
Pochettino added that the second half was higher than the primary, and that Haiti posed “a large problem for us as a result of it’s a excellent crew that performed direct, and so they have excellent gamers, there with physicality, they’re robust. And that was our problem for us to be taught and enhance.”
Pochettino additionally continued to point out religion in Freese, regardless of the gaffe for the purpose the U.S. conceded, including that he did not must say something to his keeper in a bid to bolster his confidence.
“One of the best ways to belief in a participant is to not [say anything]. To not watch out with this or cautious with that,” Pochettino mentioned. “No. Transfer on. Bear in mind, crucial motion is the following one. In the event you suppose [about] the final one you might be lifeless, you will do one other mistake.”
Agyemang additionally drew reward from Pochettino. The Charlotte FC ahead had a number of alternatives to attain, together with a breakaway that was saved by Placide within the twenty fourth minute, however he regrouped to attain the game-winner.
“Patrick is doing a incredible job for the crew,” the U.S. coach added. “All that he gave to the crew in the present day and the earlier video games additionally, he is a incredible striker. Nonetheless room to enhance, however we’re so proud of him.”