A delayed kickoff in Puebla
The opening Group A fixture of the 2026 Concacaf U-20 Men’s Championship was played at Estadio Universitario BUAP in Puebla, Mexico. A sudden power outage plunged the stadium into darkness for 13 minutes, forcing a temporary halt just as the match was getting underway.
When play resumed, the United States broke the deadlock in the 38th minute. Din Kaplija found the net with a clinical finish that put the Americans ahead.
Haiti’s defensive woes deepened when Stanly Volcin was shown a straight red card for a handball in the 61st minute. The United States capitalized on the numerical advantage almost immediately, with Ruben Ramos converting a penalty just a minute later.
The scoring was not finished. In the 89th minute, Santiago Morales stepped up to slot another penalty, sealing a 3‑0 victory and capping a dominant performance by the U.S. side.
Looking ahead, the United States will next face El Salvador in the group stage on Tuesday, July 28 at 10 p.m. ET, again at Estadio Universitario BUAP in Puebla. The upcoming clash will test whether the early momentum can be carried forward.