USMNT 4-2 Jamaica: summary, score, goals, highlights CONCACAF Nations League
USMNT - Jamaica: As it happened.
USMNT march on in the Nations League.
It's a successful start for USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino from his first competitive fixtures in charge. A 4-2 win over Jamaica, securing their place in the semi-finals of the CONCACAF Nations League with a 5-2 aggregate victory.
A brace from Christian Pulisic got the ball rolling, before goals from Ricardo Pepi and Timothy Weah made it safe for the hosts.
It was an action-packed evening at CITYPARK, with USMNT star Christian Pulisic continuing his impressive start to the 2024/25 season with a brace against Jamaica. He opened the scoring early in the first half and Pulisic pulled out a celebratory dance, one that many online thought was a reference to the President-elect...
Peeep peeeeeep peeeeeeeeeeeeep.
That's it in St. Louis, where the United States have booked their place in the semi-finals of the CONCACAF Nations League. A good all-round performance from Mauricio Pochettino's side, despite conceding two frustrating goalds.
The ball is swiftly played forward and the US find Brandon Vazquez sprinting in on goal. He aims low and hard but his effort whistles just wide of Andre Blake's near post.
USMNT continue pushing to the end as Scally curls in a speculative deep cross from the right. It's overhit but the US recovery the ball swiftly.
There will be three minutes of added time at CITYPARK, St. Louis.
Cade Cowell has been a bundle of energy since his introduction, albeit not always entirely effectively.
He's clearly a real talent but consistency will be key is he is to force his way into a stacked group of US attackers.
Yunus Musah comes off for USMNT. He's replaced by Alejandro Zendajas.
Great showing from the AC Milan man.
Demarai Gray is hauled down by Joe Scally on the halfway line, winning his team a free kick.
The USMNT defensive quartet of Robinson, Ream, McKennie, Scally has done well again this evening, offering a nice balance of on-ball quality and physical attribute.
You'd imagine that Pochettino will try to stick with this line up going forward.
Matt Turner has done well in goal, too.
It's not been perfect in the second half but there's a real enery to this US side.
It's keeping the home crowd engaged because it really feels like something could happen at any moment.
With that, Yunus Musah makes some space for a long-range shot and balloons his effort 10 yards over the crossbar. They're certainly not afraid of trying things.
Another slick attacking move from USMNT finds Brandon Vazquez running into the box. He shifts the ball onto his right to shoot but drags his effort wide of the target.
Brilliant first involvement from Cade Cowell, recently on as a sub, to blitz past Hayden and fire a low, teasing cross along the six-yard box.
Nowhere there to convert for USMNT.
Jamaica are starting to push high now, forcing turnovers high up the field. If the US can play through the press they'll have lots of space further up but they do risk giving up opportunities.
More good work from Yunus Musah, tearing down the right wing and clipping a pass into the middle. He picks out Pepi but the No. 9 can't generate a shooting position and the chance goes begging.
The US certainly won't be sitting back to protect their lead.
And another, injury-enforced change for Jamaica. Damion Lowe comes off for Roy Anderson
Double change for the US in the aftermath of that goal.
Gianluca Busio and Brenden Aaronson come on. McKennie and Pulisic are replaced.
GOOOOOOAAAAAL! Demarai Gray
IT's a second of the night for the Jamaica winger, on hand to poke home when Matt Turner's save spilled out in front of him.
We're now at 4-2 on the night, 5-2 on aggregate.
Pulisic takes the free kick but it clips the wall and spins wide of the target.
Strong running from Musah this time. He makes it to the edge of the box before being clipped.
Free kick to the US, 15 yards from goal. Big chance to test Blake again here.
Brilliant work from McKennie to hold up a long ball forward and then make a darting run down the right flank. He gets to the touchline and tries to flash a cross along the six-yard box but it's cut out.
There's nearly a chance for Tim Ream to shoot from 25 yards out but he takes a poor first team and ball squirms away from him.
There's a real confident streak in this US performance, despite the Jamaican resurgence after the break.
The front three have been a menace throughout and there's a clear style of play already.
Phew, a busy few minutes in St. Louis but the situation essentially remains unchanged. The US' aggregate advantage is now four goals, leaving them with one foot in the semi-finals.
GOOOOOOOOAAAAAAALLLL!!! Tim Weah
Stunning, close-range strike from Weah to restore the US lead!
Yunus Musah sends in a deep cross from the right flank and Weah is on hand to bring the ball down and rifle it into the roof of the net!
Jamaica are playing with real confidence since the break. This time it's Isaac Hayden who charges forward and makes space for a shot from the left.
He tries to hook the ball past Turner but gets it wrong.
GOOOOOOAAAAAAAAL! Demarai Gray
Brilliant glancing finish from the former Leicester City man, deflected a knee-high cross into the bottom corner of the US net.
Game on!
Another ball forward finds Nicholson running in behind. This team he's a lot further out and the US defence gets back in time to crowd him out before he makes it within shooting range.
Nevertheless, that's twice that the US have been caught out by simple balls forward.
Sensational save from Matt Turner!
Out of nowhere Leon Bailey slides the ball through to Shamar Nicholson, who finds himself one-on-one.
He opens his body to curl one past Turner but the USMNT GK does brilliantly to dive to his right and palm the ball wide.
Top save from the US No. 1!
Good run forward from Demarai Gray on the left flank but he's well marshalled by Joe Scally, who sees the ball out for a USMNT goal kick.
Pulisic is back to his feet but there's no free kick for the US.
Christian Pulisic is caught by Joel Latibeaudiere on the edge of the Jamaica box.
Referee stops the game but it's not immediately clear if he's given the free kick.
The stands are a little emptier at the start of the first half, the lower rows cleared as fans dodge the heavy rain that's started falling in St. Louis.
Still, good noise coming from the home support.
And we're back!
Jamaica get the second half underway...
Red-hot Ricardo Pepi continues scoring form.
Given that he's already played for four teams in three different countries, it's often easy to forget that Ricardo Pepi is still only 21 years old. The USMNT striker is on a brilliant run of form this season and could nail down the No. 9 jersey going forward.
The perfect half for USMNT?
You'd have to imagine that US head coach Mauricio Pochettino is a very happy man at the break.
Not only has his side surged to a comfortable lead at the break, but they are also demonstrating many of qualities that he promised to bring to the team. They look aggressive off the ball and composed in possession, allowing them to dictate the pace of the game.
WATCH: Ricardo Pepi adds a third for USMNT.
In the final minutes of the first half Pepi received the ball with his back to goal, span into space and fired low and hard past Andre Blake. Another confident strike from the PSV forward.
Half time in St. Louis.
A near-perfect start for USMNT, who roared to a 3-0 first half lead.
They are now four goals ahead of Jamaica across the two legs. Is there any way back for Steve McClaren's team?
We're going to have just one minute of added time.
Nearly a big mix-up at the back as Shamar Nicholson tries to pounce on a loose touch by McKenzie. Tim Ream gets back to clear up for the US.
WATCH: Pulisic scores second of the half.
This was the goal that all-but sealed USMNT's place in the Nations League semi-finals. A slick team move, albeit with Pulisic benefitting from a fortuitous deflection.
Another good high press from the US wins the ball high. They look for Pepi again but he's crowded out by recovering Jamaican defenders.
GOOOOOOAAAAAAAAL! Ricardo Pepi
A clinical long-range strike from the No. 9.
US win the ball high and they work it to Pepi on the edge of the box, who spins and rifles the ball into the bottom right corner. His 13th career goal for USMNT!
Shamar Nicholson is called for an offside just a few yards inside the USMNT half.
The hosts have been eager to push up tonight, keeping their defensive line as high as possible, and they've made life very difficult for Jamaica.
Another good opening for the US as Pepi gets in behind the Jamaica defence and flashes a ball across the face of goal. Weah can't quite get there in time to convert.
It looked like Pulisic's strike was gong off-target before getting a deflection from a Jamaican defender. But we're hearing that he will be given the goal.
A first half brace for the in-form forward.
The intensity of this US performance is really to be admired.
They've managed to keep up their tempo against a team that are sitting back, generating their own momentum in the game.
GOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAL! Christian Pulisic
The US talisman has another. He benefitted from a fortunate deflection for this one but there's nothing lucky about the USMNT lead so far.
A dominant performance from the hosts.
WATCH: Pulisic goal puts USMNT ahead.
With this early Christian Pulisic goal the United States take a 2-0 lead in the two-legged tie, leaving them with one foot in the semi-finals of the CONCACAF Nations League.
Jamaica are starting to get a few touches of the ball now, finally getting Bailey and Gray involved in the play.
Having been out in the technical area for the early stages, Pochettino has returned to his seat to discuss what he's seen with his staff.
Good reviews so far, you'd assume.
It'll be interesting to see the possession stats at halftime, assuming that the game continues in this way.
Jamaica can't have had much more than 30% of the ball so far.
Slick attacking move from USMNT finds Pepi racing in on goal but he can't beat Blake from close range.
That could've sealed it for the US. Big save from the Philadelphia Union GK.
Good footwork from Leon Bailey to bring his team up the field.
He clips a pass forward towards Nicholson, who does well to hold off Ream and force a sight of goal. His effort is weak and easily saved by Turner.
Better from Jamaica.
Foul from Tanner Tessman on Demarai Gray in the midfield. We've really not seen anything from Gray so far tonight, a testament to the US dominance.
In stark contrast to his overlapping runs in the first leg, Antonee Robinson is drifting inside for the US tonight. The leftback is operating as a central midfielder in build-up, allowing greater freedom for the team's attacking talents.
For those of us concerned about bedtime, that goal for the US means that extra-time and penalties are no longer possible.
The away goals rule ensures that this tie will be settled within the regulation 90 minutes tonight.
It's been the perfect start for Pochettino in his first competitive game on home soil.
The stands are packed. The team looks confident. And the US are ahead.
McKennie and Pulisic combine to give US the lead.
The goal came just seconds after a promising Jamaica attack, with Weston McKennie lofting a dangerous pass forwards towards Christian Pulisic. The AC Milan forward nipped in ahead of Andre Blake and fired past the stranded Jamaican goalkeeper.
GOOOOAAAAAAAAAALL! Christian Pulisic
USMNT go right up the other end and score!
Lightening-fast counter-attack and Pulisic is there to poke the ball home.
First decent opening for Jamaica as they work the ball well down the left. The ball is pulled back to Leon Bailey but he loses his footing at the crucial moment.
Shamar Nicholson goes down softly in the midfield and wins his team a free kick. Jamaica get the chance of a breather and a few seconds to regroup.
Ten minutes in, Jamaica will feel happy that the scores are still level.
Good pass from Turner in goal to break through the lines and get US on the front foot again.
More positive play from the US as they look to turn the screw.
Mauricio Pochettino must be liking what he's seeing. Although he's spent much of the opening stages on the edge of his technical area, bellowing instructions.
It's been a really dominant start form the US, barely giving the visitors a touch of the ball in the opening seven minutes. Fluid link-up play between Weah, Pulisic and Robinson on the left.
It's easy to forget that Weah's last involvement in a USMNT jersey was that petulant punch that saw him dismissed against Panama back in June. He's made a much better start this evening.
Tim Weah strikes the woodwork!
Sensational move from the US, with Pulisic and Robinson combining to find Tim Weah on the edge of the box. He drifts inside and fires on goal, hitting the post with a sweet right-footed strike.
So nearly another earlier opener!
Very composed start from the US, who have barely misplaced a pass in the first three minutes at CITYPARK.
It looks like Timothy Weah is starting centrally in this first appearance for Pochettino.
Yunus Musah starts on the right flank, once again.
Great atmosphere in St. Louis, with the home crowd going through the 'Icelandic Clap' routine to build the suspense early on.
US knock the ball around calmly.
And we're off!
The United States get things underway at CITYPARK, St. Louis.
And now the Jamaica line up.
Former England manager Steve McClaren is in charge of the Reggae Boyz this evening. He names a strong team to take on the USMNT side.
Another look at the USMNT starting XI.
Less than five minutes to go until kickoff now, just time for one last look at the two teams.
First up, here's how the United States line up in St. Louis...
The teams are out!
USMNT and Jamaica take to the field at CITYPARK stadium for tonight's crucial knockout second leg.
Mauricio Pochettino will give MLS players a chance.
Tonight's USMNT team features only one player from MLS, Charlotte's veteran defender Tim Ream. But head coach Mauricio Pochettino has insisted that he would consider playing domestic players for the national team.
Can USMNT continue brilliant St. Louis record?
United States have enjoyed winning record in their 12 previous games in St. Louis. Will it prove to be a lucky number 13 for Mauricio Pochettino tonight?
Closer look at USMNT starting XI.
Only one change for the hosts this evening, with the injured Johnny Cardoso absent from the starting XI. In his place, Juventus forward Timothy Weah.
The wideman has been a consistent performer for the US but Weah received a red card after lashing out in the disappointing Copa America loss to Panama over summer. After serving his three-game suspension, he returns today.
USMNT rock vintage-style jackets.
The United States are looking to make a statement under new boss Mauricio Pochettino and they certainly look the part as they arrive at CITYPARK Stadium.
Ricardo Pepi retains his place in the starting XI after scoring the only goal in the 1-0 first leg win in Jamaica. In scoring that goal, he also hits a rare USMNT milestone.
'Do you feel old yet?'
Veteran defender Tim Ream captains USMNT this evening, his 66th appearance for the national team. After years spent in the Premier League with Fulham he's currently in MLS with Charlotte FC, and remains a key player for the US.
And here's the Jamaica starting XI.
Steve McClaren is without West Ham striker Michail Antonio for tonight's game after he lost his passport and was unable to enter the country.
1-Andre Blake (Capt.); 4-Amari'i Bell, 6-Di'Shon Bernard, 7-Leon Bailey, 10-Demarai Gray, 11-Shamar Nicholson, 12-Tayvon Gray, 14-Isaac Hayden, 15-Joel Latibeaudiere, 17-Damion Lowe, 18-Tyreek Magee
USMNT team news.
Here's how Mauricio Pochettino lines up this evening...
1-Matt Turner; 4-Mark McKenzie, 5-Antonee Robinson, 6-Yunus Musah, 8-Weston McKennie, 9-Ricardo Pepi, 10-Christian Pulisic, 13-Tim Ream (Capt.), 18-Tanner Tessmann, 21-Tim Weah, 22-Joe Scally
USMNT in the house.
Here they are!
The hosts arrive at CITYPARK Stadium, St. Louis for the second leg against Jamaica. Avoid defeat this evening and they're into the semi-finals
Pochettino ready to pick MLS players for national team.
Speaking to reporters ahead of tonight's game, Pochettino insisted that he was willing to give opportunities to MLS-based players. The domestic league is enjoying a heightened status at the moment and there undoubtedly players worth considering within the league's team.
"For me I am going to be happy to have most of them playing here in the MLS because I think after [getting] to know the MLS, it is not easy to play here, it's very physical," the new boss said.
"They have very good discipline, they train very well and why not? For me they're going to have the same possibility playing in MLS than if they played in the Premier League or in LaLiga or in Belgium, in France."
In Mauricio Pochettino's first competitive game in charge, he opted to hand Ricardo Pepi the No. 9 jersey. The 21-year-old repaid his manager's faith with the only goal in a 1-0 win, showing some neat touches throughout.
His impressive early season performances with PSV Eindhoven have reportedly made him a target for clubs in England and elsewhere in Europe.
CONCACAF Nations League fixture schedule
There's a packed slate of seven CONCACAF Nations Leagues games today, with both Leagues A and B, as well as the play-in tournament. The US - Jamaica clash is the most high profile of those games but the other quarter-final between Panama and Costa Rica could be a feisty affair.
Already, PSV Eindhoven's $15 million deal to sign Malik Tillman from Bayern Munich looks like a shrewd piece of business. The 22-year-old midfielder has recorded six goals and four assists in 17 appearances for PSV this season, prompting talk that Bayern may soon want him back.
USMNT put through their paces in St. Louis.
Mauricio Pochettino has wasted little time in familiarising himself with the team, getting involved in training sessions in St. Louis ahead of tonight's game. An elite level player during his days on the field, Pochettino represented Argentina at the World Cup.
We're still awaiting confirmed team news from St. Louis but we're expecting Mauricio Pochettino to name an XI fairly close to the team that beat Jamaica in the first leg last week. Here's how the US could line up...
Juventus shout out Stateside stars.
Both Weston McKennie and Timothy Weah could be in line for starting spots for USMNT this evening and the Juventus pair have received some words of encouragement form the Italian giants on social media.
This could be Weah's first international appearance since his ill-fated appearance in the Copa America defeat to Panama.
Jamaica are in the midst of a golden age of talent production with a number of players currently playing their trade in the top European leagues. However one of them, West Ham United's Michail Antonio, will not be included in tonight's matchday squad. Here's why...
Weston McKennie ready for Jamaica challenge.
'Grittiness and mentality'.
That's what Weston McKennie took from the US' first leg victory over Jamaica last week. They'll need more of the same today if they are to squeeze past a talented Jamaican team.
USMNT take on Jamaica for a place in the semi-finals.
Tonight is the chance for Mauricio Pochettino to tick the first box as head coach of USMNT, guiding the team to the semi-finals of the CONCACAF Nations League.
The US side have a 1-0 advantage from the first leg and will claim home advantage for the return fixture at St. Louis City's CITYPARK stadium this evening.