Jamaica, which was missing a number of important players, took the lead after 31 seconds in the AT&T Stadium in Dallas (Texas) thanks to a goal by Greg Leigh. The US then dominated the game almost completely, with 81 percent possession and nine shots on target, while Jamaica was forced to mainly limit itself to defending.
Yet the US, where PSV player Mark Tillman started in the starting line-up and his PSV teammate Ricardo Pepi came on after more than an hour, only managed to equalize well into injury time. National coach Greg Berhalter’s team came forward en masse in a blood-curdling final phase, including goalkeeper Matt Turner. In the sixth minute of extra time, substitute Jamaican striker Cory Burke unfortunately headed an American corner behind his own goalkeeper Andre Blake in a melee of players.
In the necessary extension, the Americans then finished it off. Two goals from Haji Wright, after two assists from Gio Reyna, sealed Jamaica’s fate.
The US will meet Mexico in the final on Sunday, which defeated Panama 3-0 after the Americans’ match. The goals were scored by former Ajax player Edson Álvarez, Julian Andrés Quiñones and Orbelin Pineda. PSV player Hirving Lozano came on for Mexico half an hour before the end. Feyenoord player Santiago Giménez was on the bench for the entire game.
Tags: USA escapes Jamaica bizarre final phase meets Mexico Nations League final Football
