USA 4-2 Jamaica (18 Nov 2024) Game Analysis

Mauricio Pochettino’s USA side rode a barnstorming first half to a 4-2 victory over Jamaica on Monday in St. Louis, and earn a spot in the Concacaf Nations League semifinals next year.

Goals in the first half from Christian Pulisic and Ricardo Pepi put the two-legged series out of reach for Jamaica, who already trailed 1-0 from the first leg, as the USA completed an impressive 5-2 aggregate win

Timothy Weah was back in the American lineup for the first time since being sent off with a straight red card in the Copa America and he made his presence felt early with a shot that rattled the post and almost gave the home side an early lead.

However, the up-tempo start to the game led to the opener shortly after Weah’s miss as Pulisic got on the end of a perfect Weston McKennie cross and beat a stormy one Other Blake with a nice first shot.

“We came out really hot,” Pulisic said. “We should definitely feel good after these results. We’re obviously learning a lot of new things with the new coach.”

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Another free-flowing move led to the USMNT’s second goal, again from the boot of Pulisic, as a curling effort from outside the area took a wicked deflection to double the Americans’ lead before Pepi made it 3-0 at the break with a penalty. its own end.

The second goal put Pulisic at 51 career assists for the USA, tying Eric Wynalda for 4th in team history

Demarai Grey pulled a goal back early in the second half, but the USA responded through Weah, who restored his side’s three-goal advantage with a stunning volley that went over Blake’s head and dipped under the crossbar into the net.

“(We’re) building up to the World Cup at home. I think that’s the main goal,” Weah said after the match. “I think we’re on the right track.”

Gray scored a final consolation for Jamaica, but the result was clear for three-time Nations League winners USA, who advance to the semi-finals of the competition at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, in March.

“My advice is, take care of yourself. We have to be stronger in March,” Pochettino said when asked after the game if he had any advice for his players. “We have to be desperate to get to March and be together all of us. It’s a sign that we are improving a lot and then we start to feel that we are a real group of people, that we have to fight for something special . “

The result also means that the USA has qualified for next year’s Concacaf Gold Cup, while Jamaica will play a qualifier.