Tillman and Agyemang goals overcome Freese gaffe, US beats Haiti 2-1 to win CONCACAF Gold Cup group

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Patrick Agyemang scored a tiebreaking goal in the 75th minute, and the United States overcame Matt Freese’s goalkeeping gaffe to beat Haiti 2-1 on Sunday night and win its CONCACAF Gold Cup group with a 3-0 record.

Malik Tillman put the U.S. ahead in the 10th minute with his third goal of the tournament but Freese, who has displaced Matt Turner, highlighted the Americans’ goalkeeping issues a year ahead of the World Cup with a botched clearing attempt that led to Louicius Don Deedson’s 19th-minute goal.

After Tillman came close three times in the second half, Agyemang scored after taking a long pass from John Tolkin. Agyemang touched the ball past goalkeeper Johny Placide and slotted into an open net for his fifth international goal and second of the tournament.

The U.S., which opened with victories over Trinidad and Tobago and invited guest Saudi Arabia, won its group for the 17th time in 18 Gold Cups. The Americans have 43 wins, one loss and five draws in group play, going 3-0 for the seventh time.

Using largely a B team in the tournament, the Americans advanced to a quarterfinal against Costa Rica next Sunday in Minneapolis.

Haiti finished third in Group D on goal difference ahead of Trinidad and Tobago, which was eliminated when it wasted a lead in a 1-1 draw against the Saudis.

The Gold Cup is the last competitive test for the 16th-ranked Americans ahead of the World Cup. As co-hosts, the U.S., Mexico and Canada get automatic berths.

In front of a sparse crowd of 20,918 at the 80,000-seat home of the Dallas Cowboys, one of next year’s World Cup venues, Tillman scored when he headed the ball inside the far post from Brenden Aaronson’s cross.

Freese blundered when took a back pass from Tim Ream and tried to play the ball to Tolkin with his left foot. The ball went straight to Don Deedson, who took a touch and scored inside the far post.

American midfielder Tyler Adams started after being slowed by turf toe, among four changes by coach Mauricio Pochettino, and got a yellow card for a late sliding tackle on Duckens Nazon about 25 seconds in.

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United States forward Malik Tillman (17) reacts after missing a chance at goal during a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer match against Haiti, Sunday, June 22, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Jessica Tobias)

United States , left, and Haiti players line up for opening ceremonies before a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer match Sunday, June 22, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Jessica Tobias)

Haiti's Leverton Pierre controls the ball during a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer match against the United States, Sunday, June 22, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Jessica Tobias)

United States goalkeeper Matthew Freese (25) distributes the ball during a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer match against Haiti, Sunday, June 22, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Jessica Tobias)

United States forward Malik Tillman (17) crosses the ball during a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer match against Haiti, Sunday, June 22, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Jessica Tobias)

United States forward Patrick Agyemang (24), center right, is congratulated by teammates after scoring a goal during a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer match against Haiti, Sunday, June 22, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Jessica Tobias)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Dave Giusti, a reliable reliever who spent 15 years in the majors and helped the Pittsburgh Pirates win the 1971 World Series title, has died. He was 86.

The club, citing Giusti's family, said he died on Sunday.

The right-hander went 100-93 with a 3.60 ERA in 668 career appearances for five clubs from 1962-77. He began his career as a starter in Houston but had his greatest success with the Pirates, who acquired him from St. Louis in October 1969 and then moved him to the bullpen full-time.

Giusti led the National League with 30 saves in 1971, then added 10 2/3 scoreless innings in the playoffs as the Pirates beat the Giants in the NLCS and then the Baltimore Orioles in seven games in the World Series.

Giusti made his lone All-Star appearance in 1973. He played seven seasons for Pittsburgh, registering 133 saves, which ranks third in franchise history. He split time between Oakland and the Chicago Cubs in 1977 before retiring.

A native of Seneca Falls, New York, Giusti played collegiately at Syracuse before being signed by Houston, then an expansion team known as the Colt .45s, as an amateur free agent. He appeared in 22 games as a rookie in 1962, spent all of 1963 in the minors before returning to the majors for good after being called up during the 1964 season.

Giusti is survived by his wife, two daughters and four grandchildren.

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FILE - Pitcher Dave Giusti, a member of the 1971 World Champion Pittsburgh Pirates, takes part in a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the championship season before of a baseball game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the New York Mets in Pittsburgh, July 17, 2021. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)