The United States made a statement in Miami, thrashing Haiti 6-0 in the first leg of the 2026-27 CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinals. Christian Pulisic and Folarin Balogun led the American attack in what was Mauricio Pochettino's penultimate match as USMNT head coach.
ALL GOALS: Haiti vs United States | CONCACAF Nations League
ALL GOALS: Haiti vs United States | CONCACAF Nations League
A GOAL FEST IN MIAMI
The United States opened the scoring in the 10th minute when Auston Trusty capitalized on a free-kick delivery from Sebastian Berhalter and finished from close range.
In the second half, Julian Hall extended the United States' lead in the 52nd minute, meeting Antonee Robinson's cross with a first-time finish.
The star of the night was Christian Pulisic, who found the back of the net for the United States once again. In the 62nd minute, he converted a penalty he had won himself before scoring his second goal just one minute later with a low strike from outside the box. The AC Milan forward had not scored a brace for the USMNT in more than three years.
The scoring continued in the 68th minute when Weston McKennie rose above the defense to head home a corner kick delivered by Malik Tillman.
Finally, Folarin Balogun sealed the 6-0 victory in the 82nd minute. The striker capitalized on a midfield recovery by Adri Mehmeti and finished off an assist from Tillman to find the back of the net. Balogun also scored for the USMNT for the first time since his goal at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
POCHETTINO NEARS HIS FAREWELL
The victory marks a commanding result for Pochettino's project, with young talents such as Hall and Mehmeti stepping up alongside established stars like Pulisic, McKennie and Balogun.
The second leg will take place on Tuesday, November 17, at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, where the United States will look to protect its six-goal advantage. It will be Pochettino's final match in charge of the Stars and Stripes before his expected departure to Manchester United.
UNITED STATES THRASHES HAITI TO CLOSE IN ON SEMIFINALS
- A GOAL FEST IN MIAMI: The United States defeated Haiti 6-0 to take a commanding lead in the first leg of the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinals.
- PULISIC AND BALOGUN DELIVER: Both forwards found the back of the net for the USMNT, leading the attack alongside established stars and emerging talents such as Julian Hall.
- POCHETTINO'S FAREWELL: The head coach is set to take charge of his penultimate match with the United States before concluding his tenure in the second leg.
