Gold Cup Group A play opened this week with a cautious outing from the United States and an overwhelming one from Friday's opponent, dark horse candidate Haiti.
The Americans labored against Honduras on Tuesday, prevailing behind Brad Guzan's solid goalkeeping and former captain Clint Dempsey's two header goals. Dempsey relinquished the captain's armband to Michael Bradley following his two-year domestic suspension, but still performed like the USMNT icon he's become since last summer's World Cup.
Turnovers were problematic, as were Jugen Klinsmann's defensive choices of right-back Timmy Chandler, young center-backs Ventura Alvarado and John Brooks.
Chandler, in his first full year on Team USA, has delivered lackluster performances since joining the national team, most recently struggling to keep up with Honduran star Andy Najar in their 2-1 win. Chandler's numerous turnovers, which could have been detrimental against a more potent opponent, forced Klinsmann to pull him early in the second half.
The latter two struggled against aggressive Honduran striker who took advantage of the Americans' youth. A lesson Klinsmann learned, one which may prove invaluable against Haiti, is that he can't take opponents too lightly.
"There is absolutely no way we're going to underestimate Haiti, not even for a second," Klinsmann said in speaking with Sports Illustrated, adding that the U.S. will take a same approach to Tuesday's opener.
Haiti - one of just two CONCACAF to hold a winning record against the U.S. - drew against Panama in its Gold Cup opener by taking advantage of sloppy Panamanian defense.
FIFA's 79th-ranked team carries a worldly roster with players signed everywhere from Argentina to France. Six of 23 members compete in the U.S. Needless to say, they're used to playing on the world stage.
Haiti's national team will be the fourth CONCACAF squad to face the Americans this year and aim to be first in breaking a six-game unbeaten streak that dates back to a March 31 draw against Switzerland.
The U.S. and Haiti face off for the first time drawing 2-2 in the 2009 Gold Cup group stage; a match which, ironically, took place at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. What should be a slam dunk win can turn sour very quickly for the Americans, as it almost did six years ago.
When: Friday, July 10, 2015
Where: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Mass.
Kick-off: 8:30 p.m. EST
Live Stream: FOX Sports Go, FOX Soccer 2Go, Univision Deportes (Spanish)
TV: FOX Sports 1, Univision Deportes (Spanish)
Predictions: Dempsey is just 14 goals from tying Landon Donovan's American record. He should get a step closer in facing Haiti's shaky back line. USA 2-0
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