In the final act of a dominant group stage run, the U.S. Men’s National Team overcame a costly goalkeeping error to edge Haiti 2-1 Sunday night at AT&T Stadium. Goals from Malik Tillman and Patrick Agyemang ensured the Americans collected a perfect nine points from Group D, setting up a quarterfinal clash with Costa Rica.

But while the win was routine on paper, the performance offered deeper revelations about a U.S. squad still sorting itself out one year from the World Cup.

For some, this tournament has been about proving they belong. No one has seized that chance more than Tillman.

The 23-year-old midfielder headed in his third goal in as many games in the 10th minute, showing off his attacking instincts and movement once again. After a blocked shot, Brenden Aaronson recycled the play and curled a teasing cross toward the back post. Tillman met it with authority, burying the opener and further cementing his status as the breakout star of this U.S. Gold Cup run.

“He’s one of the most talented players we have in the USA,” head coach Mauricio Pochettino said earlier this month — and Tillman is making good on that praise at last.

But just as quickly as the Americans took the lead, they gave it away.

In the 19th minute, goalkeeper Matt Freese—starting his third straight match in place of the absent Matt Turner—played a soft pass straight to Haitian forward Louicius Don Deedson. The interception led to an easy finish and a moment of déjà vu for a U.S. side still searching for stability in net.

That misstep shifted the momentum, and for long stretches, Haiti looked like they might snap a decades-long winless streak against the U.S. The first half ended level, and the Americans flirted with disaster again when two second-half goals were called back — one for offside, another for a handball.

Then, in the 75th minute, it was Agyemang’s time to deliver. The powerful striker, often raw in execution but relentless in effort, latched onto a long ball from John Tolkin. He shrugged off the goalkeeper and finished coolly into an open net, his fifth international goal and second of the tournament.

Agyemang, like Tillman, is making a late push to factor into the 2026 World Cup picture.

Other performances were less conclusive. Quinn Sullivan was energetic in his first Gold Cup start, rattling the crossbar and showing flashes of promise. Aaronson and Tyler Adams both put in solid shifts, though neither fully stamped their authority on the game.

Still, the U.S. exits the group stage unbeaten, with back-to-back shutouts and now a test against a battle-hardened Costa Rica side in the quarterfinals. This Gold Cup may be a proving ground, but for Tillman and Agyemang, it’s starting to look like a launching pad.

And if this month was about opportunity, it’s clear who’s grabbing theirs with both hands.