The United States hung on for a 1-0 win over Haiti in Kansas City in a nervy start to Group B play at the 2021 Gold Cup.
With many of the top U.S. players that compete for clubs in Europe given time off, Gregg Berhalter's MLS-heavy side jumped out to an early lead when Sam Vines headed home after a flicked-on Gyasi Zardes ball found him wide open at the far post.
It was Vines' first goal for the U.S. at senior international level.
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Haiti responded well after conceding and showed poise for the remainder of the half as the U.S. took its 1-0 lead into the break.
The U.S. pushed hard to pad its lead in the second half, with substitute Nicholas Gioacchini looking dangerous and hitting the post from a wide-open shot as the match approached 70 minutes.
Next up for the Americans is a second group-stage match against Martinique on July 16.