USA Soccer Team Ties Haiti 2-2 in 2009 Gold Cup
Goal from Stuart Holden Helps US team Clinch Top Seed
With the tie against Haiti, the USA soccer team, which defeated Grenada 4-0 and Honduras 2-0 in its opening two matches of the 2009 Gold Cup, finishes top of its group with seven points. Below are the final group standings:
* US - 7 points, 2-0-1 record
* Honduras - 6 points, 2-1-0
* Haiti - 4 points, 1-1-1
* Grenada - 0 points, 0-3-0
USA Soccer Team Preserves Unbeaten Record in Gold Cup Group Play
Entering the match against Haiti, the United States boasted an impeccable record of 23 wins, 0 losses, and 1 draw in its previous 24 Gold Cup group stage matches. Stuart Holden's late goal allowed the United States to improve to 23-0-2 all-time, and also preserved the United States' unbeaten record in Foxboro, MA in official FIFA competitive matches.
Bob Bradley Tinkers with US Lineup, Starts Parkhurst and Jay Heaps
With the match against Haiti taking place in the home stadium of the New England Revolution, Bob Bradley gave starts to one current Revolution defender -- Jay Heaps -- and one former Revolution defender -- Michael Parkhurst, who currently plies his trade with Danish club Nordsjaelland. Neither Parkhurst nor Heaps, who at age 32 was earning only his first start for the US, helped their chances of making the United States roster for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Heaps allowed in the cross that led to Haiti's first goal, while Parkhurst struggled with the pace and power of Haitian forward Fabrice Noel, who repeatedly got the better of the former Revolution standout.
US Takes Early Thread Through Arnaud, Holden
A well-taken goal from Davy Arnaud saw the USA Soccer team take the lead in just the 5th minute. The goal began with a neat ball from Toronto FC defensive midfielder Sam Cronin to Houston Dynamo star Stuart Holden. Holden collected, turned, and dribbled forward into space before releasing a gorgeous through ball into Arnaud's stride. The Kansas City Wizards striker made no mistake, slotting the ball to the right of Haiti's charging keeper.
Haiti Fights Back with Two Quick Second Half Goals
United States debutante keeper Luis Robles helped gift Haiti just after the halftime interval when he flapped at a cross from the right and allowed Vaniel Sirin to head in at the far post. The second goal also came as the result of poor positioning from Robles -- having rushed out prematurely to cut off a cross, the US keeper could only watch Mones Chery's 25-yard right-footed volley fly over his head and into the top left corner of the goal to give Haiti a 2-1 advantage in the 49th minute.
Stuart Holden Saves USA Soccer from Ignominious Defeat
The introductions of Charlie Davies, Kyle Beckerman, and Brian Ching injected life into the United States team in the second half, but the US would have to wait until the 90th minute for an equalizer. Holden, who shone throughout the match with his positional play, work rate, and touch on the ball, collected a pass in the final third and dribbled quickly to his right before unleashing a swerving strike that found the top right corner of the net.
USA Soccer team ties Haiti 2-2
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