March 21 – It took an own goal by Jamaica in the last play of regulation time to level the scores and keep the US in the hunt for their third consecutive Concacaf Nations League title.
In extra time two goals by Haji Wright, both assisted by Gio Reyna, pushed the US over the line and into the final on Sunday with a 3-1 win.
This was not the free-flowing, creative US team of the Nations League finals in 2023. The US had all the possession but lacked the creativity or guile to break down a well structured Jamaican team.
It wasn’t until the end that US coach Gregg Berhalter found his game breakers – they had been sitting on the bench behind him for most of the game. For 95 minutes it looked as though the US were being sent back to the drawing board.
The Jamaicans came out the blocks fast and what a start.
With most expectations that the Reggae Boyz with six of their starting 11 drawn from England’s second and third tier leagues, they looked to be on to a hiding for nothing.
Instead, after just 36 seconds it was the Jamaicans that had the lead.
A Dexter Lembikisa thrown-in deep in the US half found Bobby Reid who crossed to the back post to an incoming and unmarked Gregory Leigh to head through Matt Turner. Turner should have done better but the US had been caught cold.
Jamaica had lined up with a back five. Such was the paucity of attacking options with Michail Antonio not released by West Ham, Leon Bailey dropped for disciplinary reasons and Shamar Nicholson and Demarai Gray sidelined due to suspensions, captain Damion Lowe, who normally anchors the middle of defence, was deployed in a holding midfield role alongside Kasey Palmer.
The US brough vigour of their own to their ball winning, but the opening salvos all went Jamaica’s way. On 12’ with Joe Scally sending everything that came near him flying, Jamaica won a free kick on the left. Jamaica weren’t just one up, they were taking the game to the US.
On 16’, with the Jamaicans committed…
Source link : https://www.insideworldfootball.com/2024/03/22/us-beat-jamaica-extra-time-keep-cnl-three-peat-hopes-alive/
Author : Paul Nicholson
Publish date : 2024-03-22 02:16:43
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