Mauricio Pochettino’s United States side rode a barnstorming first half to a 4-2 win over Jamaica on Monday in St. Louis, earning a spot in the Concacaf Nations League semifinals next year.
First-half goals from Christian Pulisic and Ricardo Pepi put the two-legged series out of reach for Jamaica, already trailing 1-0 from the first leg, as the U.S. completed an impressive 5-2 aggregate win
Timothy Weah was back in the U.S. lineup for the first time since being sent off with a straight red card at the Copa America, and he made his presence felt early with a shot that rattled the post and almost gave the home side an early lead.
The up-tempo start to the game did lead to the opener soon after Weah’s miss, though, when Pulisic got on the end of a perfect Weston McKennie cross and beat an onrushing Andre Blake with a delightful first-time shot.
“We came out really hot,” Pulisic said. “We should definitely feel good after these results. We’re obviously learning a lot of new things obviously with the new coach.”
Another free-flowing move led to the USMNT’s second goal, again off the boot of Pulisic, as a curled effort from outside the area took a wicked deflection to double the Americans’ lead before Pepi put them up 3-0 at halftime with a fine finish of his own.
The second goal put Pulisic on 51 career goal contributions for the U.S., tying Eric Wynalda for 4th in team history
Demarai Gray pulled a goal back early in the second half, but the U.S. answered through Weah, who restored his team’s three-goal advantage with a stunning volley that went over Blake’s head and dipped under the crossbar into the back of the net.
“[We are] building our way up for the World Cup at home. I think that’s the main goal,” Weah said after the match. “I think we’re on the right track.”
Gray scored one final consolation for Jamaica, but the result was in hand for the three-time Nations League-winning U.S., which advances to the semifinals of the competition at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, in March.
“My advice is look after yourself. We need to be a stronger in March,” Pochettino said when asked after the game if he had any advice for his players. “We need to be desperate to arrive to March and to be all together. That is a sign that we improve a lot and then we start to feel that we are a real group of people, that we are going to fight for something special.”
The result also means the U.S. has qualified for next year’s Concacaf Gold Cup, while Jamaica will have to play a qualifier.
