USA Dominates First Leg of Concacaf Nations League Quarterfinal

The United States were in head-coaching purgatory but still had a dominant performance in the first leg of Concacaf Nations League Quarterfinal play. The USMNT secured a 6-0 win over Haiti.

Auston Trusty and Chris Richards were the center back duo, while Antonee Robinson and Alex Freeman were on the flanks. Julian Hall was the man up top while Weston McKennie, Sebastian Berhalter and Tyler Adams were in the midfield.

Alexandre Pierre started in goal for Haiti. Wilson Isidor and Lenny Joseph were the men up top responsible for breaking down the U.S. backline.

Haiti did a good job of withstanding pressure from the USMNT. Les Grenadiers looked to move up the pitch quickly, and that was on display when Pierre launched a ball forward. Isidor got onto the ball and forced a collision with Robinson, who was given a yellow card.

But the United States would open the scoring in the ninth minute. A beautiful free kick from Berhalter found Trusty at the back post, and he volleyed the ball into the back of the net.

With the lead, the United States could sit back and be more patient. Haiti would attempt to draw level in the 15th minute, but Diego Kochen raced off his line and made a quality kick save. Joseph blew through the USA backline in the 29th minute, but Richards blocked the shot.

It was another impressive performance for Hall. He was constantly drawing fouls and getting opportunities on goal. Adams also had a quality performance, being a physical presence in the midfield and whizzing a shot over the bar in the 44th minute.

The United States concluded the first half with over 70 percent possession.

It wouldn't take long for the United States to add to its tally in the second half. After a questionable call from the referee not issuing a free kick to Haiti, the United States got on the ball and quickly moved up the field. In the attacking final third, Robinson played the ball centrally to Hall, who buried his chance in the back of the net in the 52nd minute.

The United States would keep the pressure on as Hall once again made a great play, backheeling the ball to a streaking Christian Pulisic, who was taken down in the box in the 59th minute.

The Milan man would strike the penalty right down the center of the goal to give the United States a 3-0 lead in the 62nd minute. In the 63rd minute, he would double his tally with a low, driven strike into the corner of the net.

Folarin Balogun would enter the match in the 65th minute and was joined by Bryan Reynolds. Hall and Berhalter would exit the pitch.

The USA was not finished adding to its tally. In the 68th minute, Tillman sent a corner kick looping into the box and McKennie rose up like a salmon to bury the fifth goal of the match for the USMNT.

After an impressive start to his USMNT career, Kochen made a brutal mistake, getting drawn off his line and out of position. Haiti would bury the empty-net opportunity, but luckily for Kochen, a Haitian attacker was ruled offside in the build-up.

More changes would come for the United States as Adri Mehmeti and Mathis Albert replaced Pulisic and McKennie in the 80th minute.

After having a previous goal disallowed, Balogun would find the back of the net in the 82nd minute. He calmly slotted a shot into the back of the net.

Justin Ellis replaced Tillman in the 86th minute. The forward played in a much wider role compared to where he was positioned in his previous call-up.

The atmosphere heading towards Tuesday will be positive. It will also allow for a proper celebration of Mauricio Pochettino's tenure as head coach of the USMNT.

It was a comprehensive effort for the United States that should continue to leave fans excited about what the future holds.