Defensive organization and tactics:

Haiti showed an ambition from its opening match, a 1:0 los to Honduras, and demonstrated a capacity to go beyond the group stage since the goal it allowed was momentary defensive lapse. It was an even game, with hits and misses from both teams. The Haitian defense was always well anchored and commanded by its captain, Pierre-Richard BRUNY (No. 13), supported by Frantz GILLES (No. 3), Frantz BERTIN (No. 6), and Ednerson RAYMOND (No. 15). It fared well in the air, and its midfielders, James MARCELIN (No. 12) and Brunel FUCIEN (No. 7), supported both the attack and defense, recovering balls or launching counterattacks. Neither of its attackers, Leonel SAINT-PREUX (No. 9) nor Fabrice NOEL (No. 11), scored against Honduras but proved their value against USA and were particularly effective against the USA. Its system benefited from the performance of goalkeeper Dominique JEAN-ZEPHIRIN (No. 18), whose long clearances provided some its best opportunities.

Against Grenada, its rapid counterattacks quickly created opportunities and provided a goal in the 13th minute, which resulted from a regrettable and innocent failure by a Grenada defender. Because of the little resistance found, Haiti was able to retrieve the ball anywhere on the field, and frequently sent balls for heading opportunities for its front line, creating more dangerous chances in a 2-0 victory.

By the final group game against USA, Haiti had settled into its system, was aware of its potential and adjusted its personnel to get a good result against the Americans. This was the most exciting and best played game by these two teams in the first phase.

While Haitians started with a seemingly defensive 4-4-2 formation, it abandoned it quickly and immediately began pressing the Americans all over the field in an attempt to force turnovers and recover the ball. The USA, however, was very well anchored, and despite the pressure, dominated the game and possession, to the extent that it created a goal in less than five minutes. Stuart HOLDEN (No. 10) delivered a magnificent depth pass through the middle to Davy ARNAUD (No. 22), whose goal suggested the score would increase because of the numerous opportunities the USA was creating but not exploiting. By the 30th minute, the Haitians employed a frantic pressure, recovering the ball quickly to launch rapid counterattacks to Leonel SAINT-PREUX (No. 9) and Fabrice NOEL (No. 11), unsettling the Americans, who could not find a way to neutralize them.

The Haitians made an impressive physical effort from the start, which was rewarded in the 40th and 48th minutes. From that point, the match became quite competitive, with good chances at both ends. Haiti began to dominate based on its physical and technique, including possession. USA coach Bob BRADLEY reacted by replacing right-sided winger Santino QUARANTA (No. 20) with defensive midfielder Kyle BECKERMAN (No. 5), who combined with Stuart HOLDEN (No. 10), the best American midfielder. He also inserted central forward Charlie DAVIES (No. 9) for Kenny COOPER (No. 17) and the play became more even.

Attacking organization and tactics:

Those changes resulted in a spark for the American team, which started pressing, recovering balls and rotating, making the Haitians' fatigue more visible, mostly notably by their frequent cramping. Haitian coach Jairo RIOS retained his last substitution, rather than supplying fresh legs and support in order to maintain the lead. The Americans, however, continued to press their attack, orderly but intensely, up to and including second-half injury time. Stuart HOLDEN (No. 10), finally capitalized, surprising the Haitian goalkeeper by running onto a loose ball and launching a right-footed strike from outside the penalty area that equalized. A great game, although fiercely contested, but fair and well played by the two teams.

The result against the USA gave indications that Haiti would provide a stern test against another favorite, Mexico. Recognizing the counterattack was its most effective weapon, Haiti tried the tactic from the beginning. But Mexico clearly had scouted the Haitians, and effectively negated the attempt.

Haiti had little possession and was unable to assert any control of the game due to the Mexicans' ability to rotate the ball from one side to the other, with its midfielders supporting its strikers, which created quick overflows and counterattacks. It attempted to counterattack itself by forcing turnovers, individually and collectively, that did not work either. Haiti's forwards turned defensive with both wings assisting, but they were still overwhelmed with the individual technique and collective overflow from the Mexicans, and found it impossible to create anything threatening, losing possession constantly or giving the ball away.

Mexican scored almost at will, two of the goals on spectacular individual efforts, completing a 4:0 result that eliminated Haiti, which never appeared to give up.

Key Points: Haiti

Video Content