KANSAS City, Kansas.- There were a few untouchable positives for United States coach Gregg Berhalter to take away from the team’s 1-0 win over Haiti. The clean sheet, the solid teamwork on Sam Vines’ eighth minute header goal, the energetic play of Shaquell Moore, and of course, the three points for the win.
“We still need to go to another gear,” asserted Berhalter. “We didn’t create enough and we didn’t finish enough chances.”
Undoubtedly, the rhythm of the U.S. was affected when experienced winger Paul Arriola suffered a hamstring injury shortly after the goal and had to abandon the match.
“Paul is really drilled on how we want to play, so there was a big loss,” Berhalter said. “I missed the urgency to score more goals. It was way too slow.”
The U.S. managed to control possession and got into Haiti’s half with regularity, yet were often disrupted in finishing, lacking the final pass and shot. “There were some good moments,” Berhalter said. “I liked the start of the game; it was nice and aggressive. From there, it was hit and miss with some good things and then not enough.”
A lot of the USA’s initial attacks were created by Moore, who Berhalter praised. “He got coach’s man of the match today,” said Berhalter, pointing out that Moore, who plays in Spain for Tenerife, is not in full match shape yet. “He’s not even in preseason, he’s been training on his own.”
Moore’s individual initiative to stay fit helped his effectiveness. “I’ve been training at home with a personal trainer,” Moore said. “I’m still working my way up to match fitness.”
One of the main reasons the U.S. were often stymied in front of goal was the good work of Haitian goalkeeper Brian Sylvestre. In only his second game for Les Grenadiers, Sylvestre was masterful in the box, organizing his defenders well, coming out in timely fashion for crosses and corners and making multiple impressive stops when U.S. shots did get off.
“I’m always going to give my all in the field,” Sylvestre said postgame.
Despite the loss to the U.S., Haiti keeping the score low may play an important role in the final Group B standings, with goal differential being the first tie-breaker. Sylvestre and Haiti will look to make that count.
