Pulisic scores twice as USA routs Haiti 6-0 in Pochettino's penultimate match

Six goals in Miami

The United States beat Haiti 6-0 in the first leg of their CONCACAF Nations League quarter-final on Saturday, 14 November, in Miami. Concacaf allowed Haiti to host the tie in Miami as an exception, given the political unrest and gang violence in Port-au-Prince. For Mauricio Pochettino, the win was his penultimate match as United States head coach. The second leg follows on Tuesday, 17 November, in Cincinnati, and the result all but assures the United States a place in the semi-finals. It was also the team's first competitive match since being eliminated by Belgium at the World Cup.

Trusty, Hall and a Pulisic double

Auston Trusty opened the scoring in the 10th minute, finishing a set piece from Sebastian Berhalter, and the United States led 1-0 at half-time. The second half brought five goals. Julian Hall, 18, doubled the lead in the 52nd minute after Antonee Robinson got in behind the Haiti defence. Christian Pulisic converted a penalty in the 62nd minute and added a low effort from outside the area within a minute. Weston McKennie headed in a corner kick from Malik Tillman, and Folarin Balogun, a substitute, completed the scoring in the 82nd minute. The side lined up with a back four, a departure from the fluid back three used at the World Cup.

Pochettino's final matches

Manchester United confirmed Pochettino's appointment on Friday, 13 November, but he agreed to coach the United States through the two matches left in this window. After the win he said the players had handled the situation with maturity and professionalism:

“The players were very, very professional from day one when they started to see all the rumours and then when we confirmed it a few days ago.”

He also said the structure and principles were in place for the national team's future:

“I think we have an amazing future, brilliant future in this country with the national team.”

Pochettino had signed a new four-year deal with the United States in the summer. United agreed a two-and-a-half-year contract with him to replace Michael Carrick, and paid a release clause in the region of £7.4m, plus a further payment for his backroom staff. Balogun, a Monaco striker who has been linked with a move to United himself, praised the foundation Pochettino had set.

What comes next

The second leg in Cincinnati on Tuesday, 17 November, is Pochettino's final match in charge of the United States. He begins at Manchester United on Wednesday, 18 November, and his first match in charge is an away game at Liverpool on 22 November. Asked about the future, he said the immediate priority was to show respect to Haiti and keep the team growing, rather than to look ahead to United. Haiti, the 85th-ranked team in the world, now face a second leg in which they trail by six goals.

1. Nov 17, 2026Second leg against Haiti in Cincinnati
2. Nov 18, 2026Pochettino starts at Manchester United
3. Nov 22, 2026First match in charge, away at Liverpool