The US men’s national team drew 1-1 with Jamaica in their first group match of the CONCACAF Gold Cup on Saturday. Here’s what you need to know:
- Damion Lowe scored Jamaica’s only goal in the 13th minute.
- Brandon Vazquez equalized in the 88th minute. It was his second career goal for the United States
- The US men defeated Jamaica 13-6 while also winning the possession battle. USMNT had 68 percent possession while Jamaica had 32 percent.
- The USMNT’s next game is Wednesday at 10:00pm ET against Saint Kitts and Nevis.
The Athletic’s instant analysis:
What does that mean for the US?
Vazquez’s goal saved a 1-1 draw and it would have been only the second time USA had lost in the group stage of the Gold Cup. (The first and only time was against Panama in 2011.) The draw puts the USA in a good position to exit the group stage as the top two teams in each group advance to the knockout rounds and the USA preference is given to their next two games against St Kitts and Nevis and Trinidad and Tobago.
After Saturday’s draw, goal difference is likely to play a role in the seeding, leaving USA looking to score as many goals as possible against a Saint Kitts and Nevis side they are considered clear favorites to face on Wednesday night. – Tenorio
What is the conclusion of this raffle?
It wasn’t pretty, but it’s hard to say Vazquez’s goal wasn’t a justified equalizer for the USMNT. The USA played with a significantly different squad from the team that won the Nations League Cup in Las Vegas just last week. Goalkeeper Matt Turner, who saved a penalty to put the game on target, was the only holdover in the starting XI and the lack of firepower on offense was evident, as was a vast difference in the way the USA were able to put pressure on the game through their midfield. While Jamaica featured several Premier League players in the roster, the United States had a roster made up of North American internationals playing in either MLS or Liga MX.
USA had a few dangerous moments but never really seemed fluid or dangerous like they did with their best players on the field against Mexico and Canada in Las Vegas. Players like Aidan Morris and Alan Soñora struggled, the USA conceded a goal from a defensive set piece and Jamaica goalkeeper Andre Blake made several key saves. It looked like Jamaica would take the win, but the USA controlled a lot of the ball and had Jamaica on the defensive for most of the second half. Eventually, Vazquez scored when Jamaica failed to clear a Jesús Ferreira cross and salvaged the score.
There won’t be many positives to draw from it. USA are likely to be more decisive in games like this, even if Jamaica have clear talent, and they need to play better to reach the knockout stages. – Tenorio
backstory
USA started the CONCACAF Gold Cup with success after winning the CONCACAF Nations League on June 18. USMNT defeated Canada 2-0 with goals from Chris Richards and Folarin Balogun. It was USMNT’s second Nations League title in program history.
USMNT is the defending champion of the CONCACAF Gold Cup. In 2021, the team defeated Mexico 1-0 in the final, securing the country’s seventh Gold Cup title.
climax of the game
required reading
(Photo: Jon Durr / USA Today)