The United States men's national team have booked their place in the Concacaf Nations League semifinals following a 4-2 victory over Jamaica on Monday in the quarterfinal second leg. Christian Pulisic netted a goal, though a second goal was ultimately ruled an own goal from defender Di'Shon Bernard, it still left Pulisic as the fastest player in USMNT history to reach 50 goal contributions. Ricardo Pepi marked his first back-to-back starts since 2022 with goals in back-to-back games.
Jamaica would find a goal of their own in the second half but it was quickly canceled out by Tim Weah finding the back of the net. The USMNT hadn't scored four goals since 2023 when they faced Ghana in a friendly so despite the disappointment of conceding two second-half goals, this is a step in the right direction for Mauricio Pochettino's men.
They'll have to wait for the remainder of the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal matches to come to a close before finding out who they'll face when the tournament picks back up in March, but with a plus-three goal difference, the USMNT will have a good chance at grabbing the top seed for the semifinals.
As for the display on the pitch, Pochettino's tactical tweaks are beginning to show as Yunus Musah delivered an assist from the wing and Antonee Robinson was taking up positions essentially in midfield. The USMNT defense lost some steam in the second half after entering with a three-goal lead but that's where some of the lack of depth showed. It has been a long international break for the squad and while they did their best to limit Jamaica's chances, the Reggae Boyz have an attack that can cause issues.
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Matt Turner was at fault for a couple goals but when the USMNT won the xG battle outshooting Jamaica 16-9, it's a good night of work in a home stadium. Mark McKenzie even attempted more than 100 passes in defense showing how dominant the USMNT were in possession. They knew what they wanted to do and they executed it against a scrambled team.
Each member of the attack took multiple shots and when Weah, Pulisic, and Pepi all find the net in the same match, the USMNT are going to win more often than not. This was their first match with Weah since Copa America play and his importance to the attack can't be overstated. Wings did the heavy lifting with six chances created and six shots all coming from wide players which is the Pochettino way of attack.
Now the USMNT will have time to get healthier and Pochettino will have January camp, where it has been announced that they'll face Venezuela in Fort Lauderdale on Jan. 18, looking take a look further down the depth chart and get a look at domestic players outside of a FIFA international window.
Chrisitan Pulisic scored a brace in the first half of play and the USMNT rode that to victory in a strong performance to defeat Jamaica the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals. That will book a semifinal place for the USMNT with a 5-2 total aggregate victory over the Reggae Boyz across two legs.
Brandon Vazquez and Cade Cowell enter and Ricardo Pepi and Timothy Weah to close this one out.
Demairai Gray found the back of the net again for his second goal and the third total goal of the second leg. Mauricio Pochettino has responded by bringing in Brenden Aaronson and Gianluca Busio for Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie to provide fresh legs in the match.
Tim Weah scores quite a goal from near the edge of the box after a switch of play from Yunus Musah. It was well controlled and well finished for Weah's first goal for the national team since scoring in June against Colombia in a friendly.
Demarai Gray finds the back of the net for the Reggae Boyz with a quality side footed finish and now the aggregate lead is only three goals. There's plenty of time to make this a sweaty match if the USMNT doesn't settle quickly.
It ended up being offside for Shamar Nicholson but Turner wouldn't have known that going into things which is where it's good save no matter what. That was Jamiaca's best chance of the match so far and it took until the 51st minute to produce it.
A downpour has started in St. Louis following it raining goals in the first half. Despite the adverse weather, the USMNT will feel confident about closing the match out after a strong first half of play in the clash.
This is the first time that the USMNT has scored three goals in a match since March and that was also against Jamaica. Tim Weah's return has been big but the understanding among the midfield players has kept the USMNT a step ahead all match. Now it's about closing things out and ensuring that they can enter the semifinals of the Concacaf Nations League on the strongest foot possible.
Make it goals in back to back games for Ricardo Pepi after a tidy assist from Antonee Robinson. The Reggae Boyz defense is having a night to forget but the attacking pressure for the USMNT with Weah back in the fold is something else in the early going. Goal difference will matter for seeding in the semifinals so there's every incentive to run the score up.
From Musah, to McKennie to Tessemann to Pulisic. That was a great team goal as the USMNT are in full flow to put this match out of reach as soon as possible. Only 34 minutes in, they're now ahead 3-0 on aggregate.
Ricardo Pepi is the latest member of the attack to create a dangerous chance. The USMNT are starting this on the front foot so much so that the entire defense is almost hanging out in midfield when they're attacking. This is the definition of using home field to your advantage and it feels like it won't be long before a second goal comes.
That was Pulisic's 50th goal contribution for the USMNT and it kicks off this match in a big way scoring only 14 minutes into play. That'll give the USMNT a 2-0 lead on aggregate. A great recognition of space and a great run to fill it taking advantage of disorganization from Jamaica.
A Jamaica giveaway almost led to an early goal as this is getting to a quick start. That didn't find the back of the net but it's a promising start for the USMNT.
The teams are ready for kickoff in St. Louis with a spot in the semifinals on the line.
Returning home the USMNT will take care of the job at hand moving one step closer to a fourth consecutive Nations League title. Pick: USMNT 2, Jamaica 0
The USMNT will face Venezuela on January 18 at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale. The home of Inter Miami, that will be a chance for Pochettino to assess depth options since it doesn't fall during a FIFA international window.
"We are looking forward to the camp in January and the opportunity to get to know many of the MLS players and see all the potential talent we have here in the United States," USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino said. "We are happy to bring the National Team back to South Florida and utilize the great facilities of Inter Miami for this important moment as we continue to build towards the 2026 FIFA World Cup."
Also facing injuries, Steve McClaren will be without Ethan Pinnock while Mason Holgate is suspended. Las Vegas Lights FC forward Khori Bennett has been added to the Jamaica squad to provide depth because there's another weird situation keeping players from appearing. Michail Antonio and Kaheim Dixon 'lost passports, it was too late to get new ones and to get visas to come over here, so they are missing,' McClaren said in his pre-match presser.
Antonio was already suspended from the first leg of the Nations League quarterfinals but now he won't feature at all for the Reggae Boyz. Holgate is also suspended so for McLaren to pick up a result, he'll need his team to be at their best. Leon Bailey was able to create chances in the first leg of play and they'll need more from him to overcome these absentees.
Tayvon Gray enters the starting XI and Tyreek Magee also enters the XI before a big USL championship match for Colorado this weekend.
Starting XI: Andre Blake, Issac Hayden, Damion Lowe, Amari'i Bell, Di'Shon Bernard, Tayvon Gray, Demarai Gray, Joel Latibeaudiere, Tyreek Magee, Leon Bailey, Shamar Nicholson
The U.S. will advance with a win or draw. A 1-0 loss would mean extra time while losing by multiple goals would result in elimination, and a one-goal defeat where Jamaica scores multiple goals will see the U.S. go out on away goals. A one-goal loss where Jamaica score multiple goals will see the U.S. crash out on away goals.
After scoring five minutes into the first leg, Ricardo Pepi starts consecutive USMNT matches for the first time since World Cup qualifiers against Honduras (Feb. 2, 2022) and Mexico (March 24, 2022). With his fifth-minute goal on Thursday in Kingston, Pepi joined Jozy Altidore Landon Donovan and Christian Pulisic as the fourth USMNT player to record 12 goals before their 22nd birthday.
Yunus Musah will continue on the wing as the USMNT are only making one change from the side that defeated Jamaica in the first leg, Weah in for the injured Johnny Cardoso.
Starting XI: Matt Turner, Antonee Robinson, Tim Ream, Mark McKenzie, Joe Scally, Tanner Tessmann, Weston McKennie, Tim Weah, Christian Pulisic, Yunus Musah, Ricardo Pepi
The USMNT may not have looked great in the first leg but all that matters is getting a result in official competitions. Now with Tim Weah back and returning to play at home, it's a chance for the USMNT to finish the job against a short handed Jamaica side. Maintaining their advantage will see Mauricio Pochettino's side take part in the semifinals of the Concacaf Nations League for the fourth consecutive time.
