Trinidad and Tobago and Haiti battled to a hard-fought 1-1 draw on Thursday at Houston's Shell Energy Stadium in a pivotal Group D clash of the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Both teams entered the match desperate for a win after suffering opening-round defeats, with the Soca Warriors reeling from a heavy 5-0 loss to the United States and Haiti smarting from a narrow 1-0 defeat to Saudi Arabia.
The stakes were high as the two Caribbean nations sought to keep their knockout hopes alive in a group also featuring the U.S. and Saudi Arabia. Trinidad and Tobago, managed by former star Dwight Yorke, had struggled defensively all year, conceding in eight of nine matches in 2025 and allowing multiple goals in five straight games. Despite the defensive woes, Yorke looked to the attacking flair of Levi Garcia and Dante Sealy to spark a turnaround.
Haiti, under coach Sébastien Migné, arrived with confidence despite their recent setbacks. Their loss to Saudi Arabia marked their second consecutive defeat after a 5-1 World Cup qualifying loss to Curacao, ending an impressive 10-match winning streak. Leading the charge were forwards Duckens Nazon and Frantzdy Pierrot, each tied for the most career Gold Cup goals among active players with eight apiece. Goalkeeper Johny Placide was also a key figure, known for his reliable performances.
The match kicked off at 6:45 p.m. ET under the watchful eye of referee Cornejo Melendez I. A. Trinidad and Tobago started on the front foot, controlling possession early, but Haiti's defense held firm. The first half was a tense, tactical affair with few clear-cut chances, though Haiti did come close to earning a penalty after Wilguens Paugain was fouled near the box. However, after a VAR review, the penalty was overturned, leaving the score goalless at halftime despite Trinidad and Tobago being a man up following a 39th-minute red card shown to Haitian centerback Jean-Kévin Duverne for a dangerous tackle on Levi Garcia.
The second half began with a jolt as Frantzdy Pierrot deftly redirected a Louicius Don Deedson cross in the 49th minute to give Haiti the lead. The goal stunned the Soca Warriors, who had hoped their numerical advantage would pay dividends early in the half. According to Yorke, "To concede like we did, that really knocked us back a little bit." Nevertheless, Trinidad and Tobago responded with vigor, and their persistence paid off in the 68th minute when Justin Garcia connected with a free kick cross to head the equalizer past Placide.
Trinidad and Tobago poured forward in search of a winner, taking seven of their eight second-half shots after the 64th minute. Meanwhile, Haiti, despite playing with 10 men, nearly doubled Trinidad and Tobago in total shots and expected goals, showcasing their resilience and attacking threat.
The match was marked by physicality and tension, with yellow cards issued to Haiti's Danley Jean Jacques and Garven-Michee Metusala, as well as Trinidad and Tobago's Andre Rampersad. Haiti's Metusala had come on as a substitute in the 42nd minute for Duckens Nazon, who had missed a golden chance earlier in the match.
In the 83rd minute, Haiti was awarded a penalty after Wilguens Paugain drew a foul, but Mondy Prunier's spot-kick sailed over the bar, a missed opportunity that could have sealed the victory for Les Grenadiers. The final minutes saw both teams pushing desperately for a winner, but neither could find the breakthrough, resulting in a 1-1 draw that leaves both sides with a single point from two matches.
Beyond the pitch, the match unfolded amid a challenging political climate for the Haitian community in Houston, with recent travel bans and policy rollbacks affecting attendance. Pierrot acknowledged the impact, saying, "It means a lot to us that they still come out to support us. It was not easy because we wanted to win the game. We got a red card, which makes it harder for us, but I think as a team, we fought hard and we had a chance to win the game. But things happen."
This draw keeps Group D wide open ahead of the upcoming fixtures, with the U.S. and Saudi Arabia both holding three points after their respective wins. The Americans, fresh off a 5-0 thrashing of Trinidad and Tobago led by a brace from Malik Tillman, will face Saudi Arabia next, while Haiti and Trinidad and Tobago must regroup to keep their Gold Cup dreams alive.
Fans looking to catch the action had multiple options, including TV coverage on FS1 and streaming services like FuboTV and DirecTV, with VPN solutions available for international viewers. The match was the first of six Gold Cup games scheduled in Houston, underscoring the city's role as a vibrant host for CONCACAF's premier tournament.
As the group stage progresses, both Trinidad and Tobago and Haiti will need to tighten their defenses and capitalize on scoring chances if they hope to advance. The Soca Warriors' defensive lapses have been costly, conceding multiple goals in consecutive matches, while Haiti must overcome the challenge of playing with a reduced squad and missed opportunities like Prunier's penalty to turn draws into wins.
The 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup continues to deliver drama and excitement, with every point crucial in the tightly contested groups. Trinidad and Tobago and Haiti's encounter was a testament to the competitive spirit of Caribbean football, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the next chapter in this thrilling tournament.
