United States 1-1 Jamaica (Jun 24, 2023) Game Analysis

Brandon Vazquez got here off the bench to attain a late purpose because the United States drew 1-1 with Jamaica to start Group A play within the Concacaf Gold Cup at Soldier Field on Saturday night time. 

Interim coach B.J. Callaghan was nonetheless on the sidelines for the defending champion USMNT after teaching the group to the Nations League title, however he was overseeing a really totally different facet towards Jamaica, one which was comprised largely of MLS gamers and with out many of the European stars that beat Canada final Sunday.

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A way more first-choice XI for Jamaica, which featured Premier League gamers Michail Antonio, Bobby De Cordova-Reid and Leon Bailey, took the lead within the thirteenth minute when Damian Lowe despatched a diving header from Demarai Gray’s free kick previous Matt Turner within the U.S. purpose.

A sloppy foul by Aidan Morris on Kevon Lambert gave Jamaica a penalty and an opportunity to double its lead, however Turner got here up enormous and saved Bailey’s spot kick, with the Aston Villa ahead additionally shanking his close-range try from the rebound large of the far put up.

Jesus Ferreira arrange the most effective probability of the primary half for the U.S., however Andre Blake made a stellar save on Jordan Morris’ shot from shut vary to maintain Jamaica within the lead on the break.

A pair of substitutes practically had the U.S. again on stage phrases simply after the seventieth minute, however Blake as soon as once more got here up large to save lots of Cristian Roldan’s first-time shot after Cade Cowell had performed the ball into him from the byline.

With time operating out, one other substitute Vazquez smashed house a volley from the highest of the six-yard field after a cross from Ferreira was dealt with poorly by the Jamaica protection and it fell completely for the prolific FC Cincinnati striker.

The draw was uncommon for the U.S. in Gold Cup openers, having received 15 occasions in its final 16, the blemish a 1-1 draw towards Panama in 2015. Overall, the Americans have 38 wins, 5 attracts and one loss within the group stage — a 2-1 defeat to Panama in 2011.

The U.S. and Jamaica each have group video games left towards St. Kitts and Trinidad and Tobago to find out which two groups will advance to the knockout stage.