Jamaica 0-1 USMNT summary, score, goals, highlights CONCACAF Nations League
As it happened: Jamaica - USMNT
Ricardo Pepi goal proves decisive.
There was plenty of action in Thursday's narrow USMNT victory, with a missed penalty and a red card for Jamaica. The defining moment of the game, however, was an early combination between Christian Pulisic and Ricardo Pepi.
A clever turn from Pulisic allowed the space to feed Pepi into the box and the PSV striker found the bottom corner with a well-taken finish.
That goal will give Pepi confidence going forward and the win is a boost for USMNT as they step into this new era.
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Perfect start for new USMNT head coach.
A winning start gets the Mauricio Pochettino era up and running.
Most satisfyingly, Pochettino's big pre-game decision was who to start up front and his faith in Ricardo Pepi was rewarded early on. A single goal from Pepi gives USMNT a 1-0 lead heading into the second leg.
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USMNT take a first leg lead in Kingston.
It wasn't always completely convincing but USMNT got the job done in Jamaica. An early goal from Ricardo Pepi was enough to secure a 1-0 first leg advantage to take into the return fixture.
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Peeeep peeeeeeep peeeeeeeeeeeeeeep.
And that's that. A hard-fought victory for USMNT in Mauricio Pochettino's first competitive game in charge.
Of course, that only half of the job. This Nations League quarter-final continues next week with the return leg in St. Louis.
Pulisic's free kick is a poor one and easily cleared, but we're into the final minute of the four now.
Can Jamaica muster a late chance?
Isaac Hayden hacks down Malik Tillman on the edge of the Jamaica box.
A good crossing position for Pulisic and a few more seconds wasted for the US. Steve McClaren throws a water bottle in frustration.
Good hold-up play from Vazquez to bring the ball down and find Robinson, overlapping on the left. The US knock the ball in search of a shooting angle but the move fizzles out.
We're going to have another four minutes of added time in Kingston.
Into the final minutes now, USMNT just need to hold on to ensure that Pochettino's first competitive game ends in victory.
With the one-man advantage the US are looking much more composed now, able to knock the ball around fairly calmly in the midfield.
Difficult to see exactly what that Holgate second yellow was for. He was involved in a bit of pushing with Brandon Vasquez but there was nothing too obvious.
Real lack of composure from the former Everton defender.
Mason Holgate sent off!
The Jamaica defender is shown a second yellow card and he's off! Huge moment in this game, just as the hosts were really starting to turn the screw.
A rare break forward for the US finds Pulisic streaking away down the left. He tries to find Vazquez in the middle but the pass is a little overhit and the big striker can't find an angle for the shot.
Can Jamaica muster one more clear-cut chance in the final ten minutes? They've really taken the game to the US in the last 20 minutes but haven't managed to generate many real openings.
Strong run from Isaac Hayden down the left flank. He gets past Scally but stumbles as he enters the box.
The Jamaican wideman wants a penalty but the referee isn't convinced. It would have been very soft.
Packed crowd in Kingston for Jamaica - USMNT.
The home support has been a constant roar in the background of tonight's game, with drums and horns providing a beat to the on-field action.
Full marks to the Kingston crowd.
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Heading into the final 15 minutes, the United States have lost a bit of the control that they enjoyed for most of the first half.
A US free kick is well-claimed by Blake and he launches the ball forward. Matt Turner does well to charge out of his penalty box and head the ball clear.
Good defending from Tim Reem to stop Leon Bailey in full flight.
The game's opening up a little now, and Jamaica look capable of taking full advantage of the extra space.
Double change for USMNT.
It's Brandon Vazquez and Gianluca Busio coming on. Weston McKennie and Ricardo Pepi come off.
Antonee Robinson, Leon Bailey
Both players go into the book for their roles in that little spat. In fairness to Robinson, it looked like Bailey may have started it.
Tempers flare again as Pulisic is the subject of another tough challenge from a Jamaican defender. Robinson wasted no time to charge in and defend his teammate, grabbing Leon Bailey by the jersey.
Jamaica come close again! This time it's an in-swinging corner kick that nearly catches out Turner at the near post.
The hosts are insisting that the ball cross the line, but the referee says no.
So close for Jamaica!
The free kick is played shorted and Jamaica work it to Cephas on the right. He fires a low cross across the six-yard box but Musah does brilliantly to clear the danger at the back post.
Damion Lowe does brilliantly to dispossess Pepi and then charge through the middle. He beats three US midfielders before eventually being hauled down.
Free kick to Jamaica, about 40 yards from goal.
The referee takes a few moments to calm things down. He gives special attention to Pulisic, who seems particularly unhappy. In fairness, it did look like Lowe gave him a bit of a barge for no reason.
It's heating up!
Tensions starting to fray after a coming together in the midfielder between Pulisic and Lowe. The USMNT star didn't appreciate that and quickly makes it known.
Within seconds, about 15 players are squaring up on the halfway line.
Another change for the hosts, with Kasey Palmer replaced by Tyreek Magee.
More good work from Cephas on the left but he choose the wrong option at the end, firing wide of the target rather than looking for a teammate in the middle.
Nevertheless, he's giving Joe Scally plenty to think about.
The United States look much more assured in the build-up than they have at pretty much any point in the past year. Reem's on-ball quality is really helping, forcing Jamaica to work very hard to regain possession.
Huge groans from the home crowd as Kasey Palmer is penalised on the halfway line. He did well to get his body in front of Tessman there, a little unlucky with the foul call.
Good work from Renaldo Cephas for Jamaica, cutting inside off the left and letting fly with a right-footed effort. His shot skips wide of the post but he did well to carve out the opportunity.
USMNT win a free kick on the right, a chance for Pulisic to deliver with quality.
The kick is a good one but a little over hit and it bounces through at the back post.
Latibeaudiere is penalised for a late challenge on Pulisic, close to the halfway line.
And we're back!
We're back underway in Kingston. USMNT are 45 minutes away from first competitive win for Pochettino.
One change at the break for Jamaica, with Isaac Hayden coming on for Greg Leigh.
Pepi sheds 'super-sub' moniker.
In the past there has been a suggestion that Ricardo Pepi is most effective off the bench, coming on as a late substitute to change the game. However the 21-year-old has been eager to prove that he's worth a starting berth.
"The way I take it, obviously people are noticing the things that I'm doing whenever I come in as a sub, and it makes them say the word," Pepi said earlier this week. "But at the same time, hearing that word, it makes me want to, I don't know, punch something because at the same time, I just want to play more minutes. I want to get to a point where I'm a starter. So I think that's really important."
With tonight's early goal, he's staked a claim for the No. 9 shirt going forward.
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Are USMNT different under Pochettino?
The early signs are looking good for USMNT under Mauricio Pochettino. They haven't blown Jamaica away but the US do look to have a more considered style of play in the first half.
The visitors have built through the lines well and look determined to get their countless central midfielders on the ball. Just as crucially, they're working well off the ball too.
Perfect start for Pochettino.
The big decision for the new head coach this evening was deciding who to start up front. He opted to give Ricardo Pepi the No. 9 jersey and the PSV forward repaid him almost immediately, firing coolly into the bottom corner after just four minutes,
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Peeep peeeeep peeeeeeeep.
That's all from the first half in Kingston, where USMNT lead Jamaica by a single goal.
Clash in the midfield between McKennie and Latibeaudiere.
Looks like McKennie came off worse and USMNT win the free kick.
We're going to have four minutes of added time at the end of the first half.
Final spell of possession from Jamaica to end the half. The United States have done a good job of preventing the hosts from progressing so far but Amarii Bell wriggles free of Pepi and tries to get his team up the pitch.
It's worked out to Leon Bailey but he can't make anything of the opening. Goal kick to USMNT.
Jamaica go long again but McKenzie does well to win the aerial duel and nod the ball down to Pulisic.
USMNT trying to restore a bit of control as the first half draws to a close.
They're still been put under real pressure form the Jamaica frontline, who are undoubtedly difficult to play through.
Bit more ambition shown by Jamaica in the last few minutes and the home crowd responds by pumping up the noise level of the horns and drums.
Good work from Laqtibeaudiere in the middle for Jamaica, breaking up play and passing forward to Bailey. He tries to find a teammate in the box but the pass is loose and USMNT win it back.
Jamaica play a long ball forward towards Nicholson. He's in behind the US backline but Turner comes out well to boot the ball clear.
The quality of the surface in Kingston is really causing problems for both teams as they try to build up in the middle. There are large divots right across the field and it's cutting up with every tackle and tumble.
The US are playing in a hybrid system with Reem, McKenzie and Scally functioning as a back three while building up from the back. This is allowing Robinson to push much higher on the left, and Pulisic to drift inside to influence the game in central areas.
It's working well so far.
Shamar Nicholson
Bit of concern for the hosts now as Shamar Nicholson is down again. Medical staff are on the field to assist and he shakes his head in frustration.
Ricardo Pepi's fast start continues.
The 21-year-old PSV Eindhoven forward makes a rare start for the national team today and repays the new manager's faith with an early goal. It's easy to forget how young he still is.
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The US are playing with real fluidity in the middle, with Musah, McKennie, Tessman and Tilman all occupying central areas.
Malik Tillman pinches the ball of Amarii Bell on the edge of the Jamaica box but it's called for a foul.
There's certainly been plenty of energy in this US performance so far.
Jamaica starting to ease their way back into the game now, finding Gray and Bailey with greater frequency on the flanks.
A US move breaks down but Yunus Musah does brilliantly to get back and dispossess Kasey Palmer on the break.
Watch: Ricardo Pepi goal fires USMNT ahead.
Here it is, the first competitive goal of Mauricio Pochettino's tenure as head coach.
A nice moment for Ricardo Pepi, taking the chance to start and wasting little time to make his mark.
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Shamar Nicholson
Game is paused for a minute so that the Jamaica striker can receive some treatment here.
Quarter of an hour in, it's been an exciting start for Pochettino in charge of USMNT.
His team have looked confident on the ball, on a pretty poor surface, but those same defensive weaknesses have already reared their head.
Turner saves the penalty!
Firmly struck penalty from Demarai Gray but Turner makes a brilliant diving save to keep his team ahead.
Sensational stop from the USMNT No. 1!
It was brilliant work from Nicholson to bundle through a series of (weak) challenge in the USMNT box. He forced Turner to charge out and wins his team a spot kick.
Penalty to Jamaica!
Matt Turner is adjudged to have clipped Shamar Nicholson in the box.
Referee points to the spot!
McKennie charges forward through the midfield, working the ball out to Robinson on the left. The Fulham fullback pulls it back to Pulisic on the edge of the box but his left-footed shot is wild and soars over the crossbar.
Nearly a second for the US.
Quick break, led by Pulisic, and the AC Milan slips a clever pass through to Robinson charging forward on the left. He muscles in front of the recovering defender but can't beat Andre Blake in goal.
Delight for USMNT!
The visitors have looked good in the opening stages, committed to a ball-playing style of play even when put under pressure. It was a slick move that set Pepi in on the right of the box and he finished brilliantly with his right, clipping the post on the way into the back of the net.
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GOOOOOOOAAAAAALLLLL! Ricardo Pepi
The young striker repays his manager's faith within the first five minutes, firing confidently into the bottom corner from close range.
The perfect start for Mauricio Pochettino!
First chance for Leon Bailey in a bit of space and he drives inside from the right. He makes it to the edge of the box but can't find a Jamaican teammate and the attack dies out.
Plenty of touches for the US midfielder in the opening minutes, Johnny Cardoso is taking a particularly active role in the build-up.
The US look committed to playing out from the back but Jamaica have won the ball back three times in the first two minutes.
Promising stuff from the hosts.
Energetic start from the hosts, pressing high up the field and pinching the ball of USMNT as they look to build out from the back.
Goal kick to the US.
And we're off!
We're underway in Kingston...
Jamaican fans in the house.
Tonight's game is the first leg of this quarter-final tie, with Jamaica holding home advantage this evening. The home support in Kingston could be crucial if the Reggae Boyz are to pull off a shock and ruin the party on Pochettino's first competitive game in charge.
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Pochettino focused ahead of Jamaica clash.
The United States are looking to lift the Nations League for a fourth consecutive edition, building on the CONCACAF dominance of recent years. Mauricio Pochettino won't ultimately be judged on performances in these games, but a winning start would certainly help build momentum for bigger tests.
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The teams are out in Kingston.
Both sets of players are out on the field at National Stadium Independence Park. We're around 20 minutes from kickoff now, a big night of Nations League action awaits.
The new USMNT head coach is not underestimating Jamaica this evening. / Francisco Guasco / EFE
Mauricio Pochettino speaks ahead of kickoff.
The USMNT will be eager to start Mauricio Pochettino's USMNT career on a positive footing in his first competitive fixture. The new head coach is in no mood to underestimate the hosts.
"Whenever you play away from home it's difficult. They have an amazing coach, Steve, and very good players."
"They're very quick on the pitch. They have good players with good qualities so we have to concentrate and play with aggressiveness".
USMNT - Jamaica: Head to head
The United States go into tonight's game as the favourites and they have a dominant record over the Reggae Boyz over the history of this fixture. The US has come out on top of 20 of the 33 previous meetings. Jamaica have won just three times in this fixture.
With former England manager Steve McClaren in charge, can Jamaica pull off a shock?
Major milestone for Christian Pulisic.
Christian Pulisic only turned 26 two months ago, but he's already notched an impressive USMNT milestone. Tonight's game will be the 75th time that Pulisic has represented the Stars and Stripes.
He's in the form of his lifetime at the moment, and looks set to be a key player for many years to come.
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The 21-year-old has impressed with PSV Eindhoven this season. / MAURICE VAN STEEN / AFP
Ricardo Pepi sheds 'super-sub' moniker.
With Follarin Balogun and Haji Wright not in the squad for the November internationals, Ricardo Pepi will lead the line for USMNT this evening. The 21-year-old's talent is clear but he's struggled to show his best work as a starter, earning himself the title of 'super-sub' for the national team. It's not a role that he's embracing.
"The way I take it, obviously people are noticing the things that I'm doing whenever I come in as a sub, and it makes them say the word," Pepi told ESPN earlier this week.
"But at the same time, hearing that word, it makes me want to, I don't know, punch something because at the same time, I just want to play more minutes. I want to get to a point where I'm a starter. So I think that's really important."
Is this a Golden Age of American soccer talent?
The jury is still out on this USMNT side but there can be no doubt that there are a number of top level players among Mauricio Pochettino's squad. Here's a look at the American players tearing it up in Serie A...
And here's how Jamaica line up.
Some big names in the Jamaica team this evening, including Demarai Gray and Leon Bailey, who have both impressed in the Premier League in recent seasons.
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USMNT team news!
Here's how the United States line up in the first competitive game under new head coach Mauricio Pochettino. Big call from Pochettino, naming Ricardo Pepi as the lone striker.
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Pulisic and teammate Yunus Musah spoke to the media last week. / USMNT
Christian Pulisic relishing fresh start.
With Mauricio Pochettino now in charge, there's a feeling of new hope for the USMNT. Speaking ahead of the Nations League first leg in Jamaica, Christian Pulisic told reporters that the players are eager to impress the new boss.
"I think everyone is that much more focused. You obviously want to make a good first impression, you want to impress these coaches. They've obviously coached some of the best players in the world."
"It's easy to look ahead. I think the main objective right now is to beat Jamaica. That's truly the only thing on our minds," Pulisic continued. "We have to take this step by step."
Big crowds no problem for this USMNT team.
Here's an interesting angle, highlighting the in-roads made by American players in recent years. Many USMNT stars now play for European teams, few more illustrious that AC Milan of Christian Pulisic and Yunus Musah.
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New head coach Mauricio Pochettino has largely been able to choose his first-choice squad for the November internationals but he is without one key player. Midfielder Tyler Adams is out due to injury, forcing Pochettino to search for an alternative in the middle of the pitch.
Antonee Robinson on his childhood, identity and ambitions.
The Fulham defender is now a mainstay in the United States side but just as easily have been representing tonight's opponents. Technically eligible for England and Jamaica - as well as the US - he's now feeling right at home with the USMNT.
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From one AC Milan goal-getter to another...
It takes a lot to impress Zlatan Ibrahimovic but the Swedish star was full of praise for Christian Pulisic after his red-hot start to the new season. Can he show that tonight?
Can Jamaica cause an upset against USMNT?
The hosts have the quality to challenge USMNT this evening, even with a number of Premier League regular not involved in the November squad. There's still plenty of attacking talent, including the likes of Demarai Gray and Michael Antonio.
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The first major decision facing Mauricio Pochettino is one of team selection. The new head coach largely stuck with the same squad as his predecessors but has plenty of options in attacking areas, with the likes of Weah, Pepi and Pulisic all in good form.
Christian Pulisic relishing the challenge against Jamaica.
Earlier this year the United States secured a hard-fought 3-1 win over Jamaica but they were made to work for it. The Reggae Boyz will be on home soil tonight and will present a real challenge, as USMNT talisman Pulisic makes clear.
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USMNT travel to Jamaica for Nations League clash.
Today, November 14, marks a key date in the history of soccer in the United States.
Mauricio Pochettino takes charge of USMNT for the first time this evening, with little over 18 months to prepare this team for a World Cup on home soil. They take on a Jamaica side that underperformed in the summer's Copa America but boasts a number of top level players.
The new US boss will be hoping to make a fast start in today's CONCACAF Nations League fixture.