CONCACAF Gold Cup: Back the U.S. to finish strong in its group stage finale against Haiti

Things haven’t necessarily always gone the was since Mauricio Pochettino has taken charge of the U.S. men’s national team.

But the one consistent has been strong play from the U.S. in the CONCACAF Gold Cup. In the final game of group stage play, the Americans, who have already qualified for the quarterfinals after wins against Trinidad & Tobago and Saudi Arabia, enter unbeaten against Haiti for a chance to win the group with a perfect 3-0 record on Sunday (7 p.m., FOX).

Perhaps the one consistent has been U.S.’s record in the Gold Cup, now at a 13 match unbeaten streak, with 10 wins in that total. Malik Tillman, who leads the team in tournament with two goals has been the player to watch thus far and in turn has been a thorn in the side of opposing defenders, specifically on set pieces as a strong presence in the air.

Photo by Erin Chang/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images

There are also key pieces like Chris Richards, Jack McGlynn and Diego Luna who have played instrumental roles in a bit of a resurgence from the team after a pair of tune-up matches against Turkiÿe and Switzerland looked less than stellar.

On Sunday night under the bright lights of AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, the U.S. looked poised to move on with three victories, but unlike it’s 5-0 rout of the Trinidad in its first game, Haiti will pose a tougher challenge, but certainly not one the Americans can’t overcome.

Scouting Haiti

Haiti might be the second best team in Group D, but it’s road to qualifying for the knockout stage hasn’t been impressive by any means. Losing its opening stage match against Saudi Arabia, the team played to a 1-1 draw against Trinidad in its second match.

With his goal in that match, Frantzdy Pierrot proved he’ll have to be a player the U.S. keeps its eye on. Pierrot, the 6-4, 205-pound forward who plates for AEK Athens in Greece’s first division, is the all-time leading goalscorer for Haiti in the competition with nine goals.

The Haitians will also look to close the gap against the U.S., who have never lost in four previous meetings against Haiti in the Gold Cup, boasting three wins and a draw.

Best bets

Fanduel has some fun odds for this match but before we get into those, make sure you take advantage of their no sweat bet, an ongoing promotion for every game for the U.S. in the tournament. You can use the token on any wager and rest assured you’ll reclaim your original bet, win or lose. Here’s how it works and how to claim it.

With that out of the way, there’s a pretty good chance the U.S. score and score early in this game, so consider the four-leg same game parlay that packages a U.S. win, the Americans leading at the half, the game to end with more than three goals, and McGlynn notching his second goal since being called into the 26-player roster ahead of the Gold Cup. At +1024, it’s a fun one to consider.

At +280 on Fanduel, why not let it ride and back McGlynn as an anytime goalscorer as well? Finally, the U.S. is at +100 to have the lead at the half, which judging by their recent run of form against Caribbean nations, seems like a safe play.

Photo by Bob Kupbens/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Prediction

The U.S. continue to get the morale boost it so desperately needs behind a 3-1 win over Haiti finishing 3-0 in the group and moving onto the quarterfinal rounds beginning June 28. The straight up moneyline is -190 on Fanduel, but that scoreline is +340 as a correct score combination and another great option to take.