It wasn't pretty but the United States men's national team got the job done winning the first leg of the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal against Jamaica 1-0 on Thursday. Ricardo Pepi scored only five minutes into the match behind a Christian Pulisic assist and Matt Turner saved Demarai Gray's penalty in the 14th minute before the defense went to work limiting chances. Jamaica will now be without Mason Holgate for the second leg on Monday in St. Louis as he was sent off with a second yellow card during a chippy second half. The U.S. finished with six shots, three on goal, while Jamaica had 12 shots and put two on frame.
The USMNT wouldn't let injuries slow them down as they were without regulars such as Folarin Balogun, Josh Sargent, Tyler Adams, and Gio Reyna. Riding a solid defense and opportunistic play from Turner, they got the job done to put themselves in a strong position to advance. After only winning one of their last four games after disappointment at Copa America, there was worry coming into the match which was expelled quickly when Pepi found the back of the net with an excellent finish.
They'll want to keep an eye on Leon Bailey after he created two chances and took two shots but the Reggae Boyz will be up against it without Holgate for the second leg. The USMNT also suffered a blow with Johnny Cardoso being withdrawn due to a hamstring injury but midfield is one of the areas where there is depth. Weah will also return from his suspension which will allow Yunus Musah to return to his more natural midfield role improving balance all around. The USMNT got the job done when it mattered, like with Turner's penalty save and that's what's needed to survive and advance in Concacaf.
For a passionate, unapologetic and informed discussion about the USMNT and the state of the American game catch the Call It What You Want podcast! Download and follow Call It What You Want on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts!
Pochettino will want the attack to take control of matches in the future but without your top options, sometimes just taking care of the job at hand is all that can be done. Now the USMNT is only three victories from winning their fourth consecutive Concacaf Nations League title.
That's that! It wasn't a pretty game but the USMNT were able to pull out a victory behind a quick goal from Ricardo Pepi in the fifth minute. Matt Turner's made up for his mistake by saving a penalty but all in all, despite not being at their best, the USMNT will take this before playing the second leg in St. Louis on Monday.
Mason Holdgate is sent off with a second yellow card and he'll now miss the second match of this quarterfinal.
This time it's Mason Holgate who is now the fifth player to secure a yellow card in the second half. When there's another leg to play, this could be important.
Jamaica wants one but it doesn't seem like it will be given. After Cephas almost scored, the USMNT are living on the edge.
Leon Bailey again was making things happen for the Reggae Boyz but the defender was able to setup well to deny Demarai Gray from a clear scoring chance.
Jamaica has been able to take two shots so far this second half but none have tested Matt Turner.
Jamaica will make a change in the second half of play with Issac Hayen enters the match for Gregory Leigh. The Reggae Boyz need control in midfield which the change can assist with bringing.
While Pochettino will want more from the attack, getting past conceding a penalty to keep the match level is something to be proud of.
Musah was able to get forward to deliver a cross into the box and while it was handled, the Jamaican defender almost cleared it past Andre Blake into his own net.
After a fast start, the match has became an affair of passes back and forth. The USMNT will take that considering that things were getting a bit too eventful but they have to create chances too. With Only Pulisc and Pepi as recognized forwards, the runs in the box that you'd expect just aren't there.
But it has been far from pretty as they need to tighten up the match in the early going. Leon Bailey has had the run of the match and they've made defensive mistakes. Jamaica can't slow down the USMNT attack so there's space to make things happen but the sooner that the second goal comes, the better.
It was a bad take by Demarai Gray but Turner still had to guess correctly to save it and get the job done. A big moment for the USMNT that they can now take advantage of after their mistake.
It looks like a penalty to Jamaica after Shamar Nicholson is taken down in the box by Matt Turner.
The train has left the building, after Jamaica had good chances it only took five minutes for Ricardo Pepi to find the back of the net putting the USMNT ahead 1-0 in Jamaica.
it's time for the USMNT to show that they can win a fourth consecutive Concacaf Nations League title.
The defense will be enough to keep Jamaicia from scoring while Christian Pulisic does the rest to secure a USMNT victory. Pick: Jamaica 0, USMNT 1
The USMNT will go as far as Pulisic takes them but to actually do that, he'll need help as well. Without Weah and Balogun, figuring out the starting XI will be important. Alex Zendejas and Brandon Vazquez are familiar with Concacaf and also were able to show bravery in the USMNT attack against Mexico in the last international window which could put them in line to start this match. It's tough to tell what Pochettino will do this early in his tenure leading the side but options are also quite thin. It's a massive opportunity for players to show what they can do especially under a new manager, but like with Morris, the pressure is there. No team other than the USMNT has won this competition and failing to do so again would be a disappointment.
Balogun may still have a hold on the USMNT's starting spot up top but without him and Sargent in the mix, November's games feel as good a chance as any for Ricardo Pepi to step up to the plate. Pepi has always been an inconsistent performer for club and country but is in fairly good form coming into camp. He has six goals in 15 games for PSV this season and scored in Pochettino's first USMNT game, a 2-0 win over Panama last month, making him the de facto choice up top for both games against Jamaica. It feels like an ideal setup for Pepi to rise up the USMNT's striker ranks, and it will be worth waiting to see if he seizes the moment.
Without Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi will lead the line but there are quite a few surprises in the XI in Kingston.
Starting XI: Matt Turner, Joe Scally, Mark McKenzie, Tim Ream, Antonee Robinson, Johnny Cardoso, Tanner Tessmann, Weston McKennie, Yunus Musah, Ricardo Pepi, Christian Pulisic
We've got rotation from Mauricio Pochettino as Johnny Cardoso and Tanner Tessmann will anchor the midfield. Yunus Musah will be in a wing position yet again as the USMNT kicks off the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals. It's a two legged affair with the Reggae Boyz but getting out to a quick lead after how the USMNT has struggled since the Copa America will be critical.
