class=”article_teaser__2t5do”>Despite missing some of their biggest names, Al Hain-Cole is backing the Stars and Stripes to begin their Gold Cup campaign with a big win in Kansas<\/p>\n
<\/head><\/p>\nUSA will be hoping to get their Gold Cup campaign off to a winning start when they take on Haiti in Kansas City on Sunday.<\/p>\n
The Stars and Stripes are fresh from winning the inaugural CONCACAF Nations League, beating Mexico 3-2 after extra time in last month\u2019s final.<\/p>\n
USA vs Haiti latest odds<\/p>\n
Unbeaten in their last five matches against this opposition, the USMNT are 1\/5 (1.20) favourites with bet365 to get up and running with a victory at Children\u2019s Mercy Park.<\/p>\n
Jean Jacques Pierre\u2019s Haiti qualified for this competition after beating St Vincent and the Grenadines 6-1 and Bermuda 4-1 but are 11\/1 (12.00) outsiders to pull off a shock victory here.<\/p>\n
Two of the last three meetings between this duo have resulted in draws, and you can get odds of 17\/4 (5.75) on them cancelling each other out once again.<\/p>\n
USA vs Haiti team news<\/p>\n
The hosts have called up a mainly domestically-based squad for this competition, allowing star players such as Sergino Dest, Weston McKennnie and Christian Pulisic a summer break, potentially with an eye on next year’s World Cup, at Qatar 2022.<\/p>\n
Guingamp striker Frantzdy Pierrot is the man to watch for Les Grenadiers, having scored nine times in his last 10 international matches – grabbing four goals in the two recent qualifiers.<\/p>\n
USA vs Haiti preview<\/p>\n
While they may be without some of their most famous names, Gregg Berhalter\u2019s team still boasts a strong mix of youthful and experienced players who will be keen to force their way into the first team once World Cup qualification comes around.<\/p>\n
Indeed, it was a similar team to the one likely to line up in Kansas on Sunday that thrashed Trinidad and Tobago 7-0 in a friendly back in February, when all of the goals were scored by MLS players.<\/p>\n
They will therefore back themselves to see off a visiting team that has achieved strong results against Caribbean minnows but were brushed aside by Canada in last month\u2019s World Cup qualifiers – losing 1-0 at home and 3-0 away.<\/p>\n
USA vs Haiti tips & predictions<\/p>\n
With home advantage on their side, the USMNT look well worth backing at 7\/4 (2.75) to prove their quality by beating Haiti by at least three goals in their Group B opener.<\/p>\n