Patrick Agyemang Delivers When It Matters Most in USMNT’s Gold Cup Victory
Pochettino’s patience pays off as Agyemang and Freese rebound from mistakes to lift U.S. past Haiti and into knockout play
A Breakout Moment for a Rising Star
ARLINGTON, TEXAS — In another time or under another coach, Patrick Agyemang might have watched the end of Sunday’s match from the bench. The Charlotte FC striker, still growing into international football, missed a glaring first-half opportunity that could have cost the U.S. men’s national team in their Gold Cup group stage finale against Haiti.
But Mauricio Pochettino saw more than just the miss. He saw the movement, the energy, the potential. And most importantly, he kept the faith.
That faith was rewarded in full when Agyemang calmly buried the game-winning goal in the second half, securing a hard-fought 2-1 win and the top spot in Group D.
Redemption Through Composure
In the 24th minute, Agyemang found himself one-on-one with Haiti goalkeeper Johny Placide, thanks to a perfectly weighted pass from Luca de la Torre. His low shot was saved — a moment that seemed to echo the doubts of a striker still adapting to the speed and pressure of the international game.
But in the 78th minute, Agyemang got another chance. Left back John Tolkin spotted the run and delivered an inch-perfect ball behind the Haitian defense. Agyemang read it brilliantly, beat the onrushing Placide with a deft swerve, and slotted home from a tight angle.
“Me and John, we talked about that pass,” Agyemang told FOX’s Jenny Taft. “Once I saw the ‘keeper come out, I just told myself, ‘compose yourself, take your time.’”
It was a tougher goal than the one he missed — and perhaps that’s the point. Agyemang didn’t shrink under pressure. He grew.
A Lesson in Trust
Pochettino’s strategy this Gold Cup is as much about growth as it is about results. His approach to young players like Agyemang and goalkeeper Matt Freese speaks volumes.
Freese, a newcomer to the senior squad, gifted Haiti their only goal with a misplaced clearance in the 26th minute — a classic goalkeeper’s nightmare. But instead of reprimand, Pochettino offered silence and support.
“The best way to trust in a player is not to say anything,” the Argentine coach explained. “The most important action is the next one. If you think about the last one, you are dead.”
It’s a coaching philosophy built on belief — in development, in second chances, in team over fear.
Work in Progress, But Progress Nonetheless
While the U.S. cruised through the group stage on paper, the reality was far more complex. The team is still forming its identity, learning in real time through moments of brilliance and occasional missteps.
Yet there’s growth. The U.S. has conceded just one goal — a mistake, not a structural flaw — and has shown resilience in the face of adversity.
“What leaves me calm,” said Pochettino, “is the way that the error, or an accident, has not affected us.”
Next Stop: Knockouts
With the group stage behind them, the stakes now intensify. The U.S. will face Costa Rica in the quarterfinals next weekend in Minnesota. Pochettino, unfazed by looming threats like Mexico or any other regional powerhouse, kept his focus clear.
“If you want to win the Gold Cup, the timing of your opponent doesn’t matter,” he said. “Train well, rest well, and arrive in the best shape.”
Patrick Agyemang and Matt Freese are living proof of what that mindset can yield — not perfection, but persistence. Not fear, but faith. And so far, it’s working.
