Clint Dempsey bagged his third goal of the tournament as the United States booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Gold Cup here Friday with a 1-0 win over Haiti. <p style="text-align: justify">Dempsey, who scored twice in the USA's 2-1 opening win over Honduras, was on target once more in the second half as the holders made hard work of defeating the Haitians.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">The win assured Jurgen Klinsmann's side of a place in the last eight before their final Group A game against Panama, who were held to a 1-1 draw by Honduras earlier Friday.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Dempsey's winner was another sweet moment for the former Fulham striker, who was stripped of the USA's captain's armband before the tournament after he was banned for ripping up a referee's notebook during a club match.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Klinsmann had opted for a new-look starting line-up following Tuesday's opener against Honduras, making six changes to his side.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">For much of the first half, the multiple changes showed, with the US giving a disjointed display against a physical Haiti.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Haiti defender Mechack Jerome might even have given his side the lead on 10 minutes, hitting the woodwork with a free-kick which had US goalkeeper Brad Guzan beaten.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Slowly but surely the Americans increased the tempo and started to exert pressure.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Klinsmann's men were unlucky not to take the lead on 35 minutes when Holland-based striker Aron Johannsson scored with a low finish only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Replays later showed Johannsson was onside when Jozy Altidore played him in.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Captain Michael Bradley should have done better three minutes later, but scuffed his shot wide from around eight yards.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">But the introduction of rising star Gyasi Zardes for Altidore at the start of the second half had an immediate impact.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">The 23-year-old Los Angeles Galaxy striker's pace soon had Haiti's defense in trouble, and on 47 minutes he created the opener for Dempsey, cutting back a superb pass for the Seattle Sounders striker to finish.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Haiti responded bravely to the American opener however, and needed Guzan to be at his best to save well in the 57th minute when Duckens Nazon broke clear and shot.</p> . <p style="text-align: justify">Haiti continued to carve out promising chances but Guzan held firm in the American goal as the hosts clinched a quarter-final in Baltimore next Saturday against one of the two best third-placed sides.</p> <p style="text-align: justify"><strong>By AFP</strong></p> <!--Article End-->