The US Men’s National Team narrowly survives against the Jamaican national team following a 3-1 win in the Concacaf Nations League semi-final at AT&T Stadium in Arlington Texas on Thursday night. A stoppage time own-goal from Jamaican striker Corey Burke saved the US from a loss, and then two extra time goals from Haji Wright sends them through to the final against Mexico on Sunday night.
The US were shocked just one minute into the game when Greg Leigh converted on a cross from a throw-in. The ball was misplayed by the American defense, leading to the cross that found the head of Leigh. The shock of the early goal haunted the US for most of the first half. Despite controlling possession, they were unable to create any major opportunities to equalize. To their credit, Jamaica absorbed the pressure and attempted to catch their opponents on the counter. While they weren’t able to generate any dangerous opportunities, the US knew that their style of play left them open to such counter chances.
The second half saw more of the same except the US forced Jamaican goalkeeper Andre Blake into more difficult saves. Gio Reyna’s insertion into the game also gave the team a more dynamic look in front of goal. The Jamaican team continued their defensive display, pushing the US into more and more aggressive attempts at goal, much to their frustration. Jamaica nearly doubled the lead in the 61st minute after catching the US in one such counter. Renaldo Cephas was nearly in on goal but the last line of defense kept his effort to a low-powered shot.
As stoppage time neared its end, Jamaica gave up a corner kick with just seconds remaining. The corner took a deflection off of a US player but found the head of Burke who unintentionally deflected the ball into his own team’s net for the equalizer.
From there the US continues to push, finding the game-winner in the 97th minute. Reyna’s incisive pass played Wright in past the Jamaican defense where he dribbled himself free before taking the game-winning shot. Reyna’s pressure in the 109th minute again, won the ball back before passing to Wright. Pivoting around the defense, Wright scored his second goal, solidifying the team’s win.
The US Men now advance to a rematch against the Mexican national team, where the two played a classic game in the inaugural Nations League in 2020. Currently the US are two-time champions and looking to make it three in a row with a win over Mexico on Sunday night.
STARTING XI:
US Men’s National Team: Turner; A. Robinson, Richards, M. Robinson, Scally, McKennie, Musah, Tillman, Pulisic, Balogun, Weah
Jamaican Men’s National Team: Blake; Lembiska, D. Lowe, Hector, Bernard, Leigh, Cordova-Reid, Palmer, Latibeaudiere, J. Lowe, Cephas
SCORING SUMMARY:
1′ (Jamaica) Greg Leigh assisted by Bobby De Cordova-Reid
90′ (USA) Corey Burke – own goal
97′ (USA) Haji Wright assisted by Gio Reyna
109′ (USA) Haji Wright assisted by Gio Reyna
DISCIPLINE:
12′ (USA) Joe Scally – YELLOW CARD
51′ (Jamaica) Dexter Lembiska – YELLOW CARD
54′ (Jamaica) Kasey Palmer – YELLOW CARD
69′ (Jamaica) Damione Lowe – YELLOW CARD