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USMNT 3, Jamaica 1: Stars Wright and Reyna return to U.S. to advance to Nations League finals

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The U.S. men's national team lost 1-0 in the CONCACAF Nations League finals and was on the brink of a third-place match, but Jamaica's equalizing own goal in the 95th minute saved coach Gregg Berhalter's team and defeated the Reggae Boyz. . 3-1 after overtime Thursday at AT&T Stadium.

The United States will face Mexico in Sunday's title match.

The United States fought from behind almost the entire time against Jamaica, but Jamaica scored just 34 seconds later. This is the fastest point conceded from a kickoff by the United States in the last century. In extra time, injured substitute Haji Wright scored two goals, both assisted by Gio Reyna, giving them a chance to win their second consecutive Nations League title.

Here are some lessons learned from a bizarre game in Arlington, Texas.

Reina and Light's relationship

Hadji Wright joined the Nations League squad late after Norwich City striker Josh Sargent was ruled out through injury, but his 96th-minute extra-time goal earned him the permanent job in Sunday's final. He might have won.

The calm scoring of the winner was unusual in a game in which the Americans were sloppy and unmotivated, and gave Nottingham Forest's Gio Reyna, who struggled for minutes, something to be thankful for.

Wright latched on to a deft outside-the-boot through ball from Reyna, fought off defenders and used his left foot past Jamaican goalkeeper Andre Blake. The timing of Wright's run had to be perfect. Reyna's pass had to be perfect. When Jamaica started to tire, it finally came together for the United States.

Wright's goal continues the forward's excellent run of form, with him also scoring the late winner against his club Coventry City in the 110th minute of last Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final. Reina then gained possession in midfield and played a perfect through ball to the right wing. Wright initially miscontrolled the ball, but let it past goalkeeper Andre Blake.

“After the match, Wright spoke to Paramount+ about Reyna. “I know we have that connection.”

In fact, there is little doubt that Reyna changed the game with his arrival. The midfielder hit some great through passes that led to scoring chances, and showed the vision and skill that has made him one of the most exciting prospects in the U.S. roster…ahead of the 2022 World Cup and… All the interpersonal drama between and Berhalter dominated the conversation.

“Obviously, what happened happened,” Reyna later admitted in one of her first public comments about her relationship with Berhalter. “But we're both long past that and so focused on the group that I don't think it even matters at all anymore.”

Mr. Berhalter also supported Mr. Reyna, albeit a little more harshly.

“I think I heard somewhere that someone asked, 'Why was Gio called to camp?'” Berhalter asked in a press conference, but perhaps the former Leeds United coach posed that very question. It's probably a reference to an episode of Jesse Marsh's podcast.

“Did you guys hear that? Anyone? I think (Reina) showed why tonight. He clearly deserves to play on this team.” – Felipe Cardenas

…Jamaica scores when?

Coach Gregg Berhalter started his team in its usual 4-3-3, with Tyler Adams and Johnny Cardoso on the bench as they returned from injuries of varying lengths. Yunus Moussa was given the base midfield role under Weston McKennie and Malik Tillman. Up front, Christian Pulisic wore the armband, with Folarin Balogun starting up front.

Whatever that group's game plan was, it was immediately dealt a blow.

Once the whistle blew, the Reggae Boyz were decisive, with Fulham's Bobby de Cordova-Reid breaking down the left flank and sending a cross over Joe Scully, who sent Gregory Lee for a meaningful shot. I couldn't protect myself in any way. The Oxford United left-back opened the scoring 34 seconds later with an uncontested header.

Perhaps Jamaica head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson and his staff noticed the awkwardness of the playing surface during pre-match preparations and decided to use it to the team's benefit. Either way, Dexter Lembikisa's quick decision to make a bounce pass throw was enough to put the USMNT at an early disadvantage and give Jamaica control of the game. – Jeff Rueter

…USMNT is now equal when?

The fourth official had initially indicated that the second half would end after four minutes of stoppage time. A few seconds after the board first rose, that number increased to five.

The first four minutes of first-half stoppage time played out much like the previous 90 minutes. The U.S. dominated the ball in non-dangerous areas and then struggled to find a way through Jamaica's defense. At the 4:52 mark, the USA began a more fluid attack across the halfway line, and at 5:02 another ball was cleared over the end line by Michael Hector.

That led to Pulisic's corner kick, which was fired past the first defender by Malik Tillman, but an unsuspecting Burke fired his shot past the goalkeeper.

Apparently, the play that led to the corner kick was seen as a continuation of the attacking sequence that began with Wright's last-minute press. Broadcasting rules expert Christina Unkel said de Cordoba-Reid's late substitution was the final ingredient in an extra minute added to second-half stoppage time.

The fact that America charged into the final third before that five minutes were up seemed to be enough initiative to end the move with a corner kick. And in a game where the Americans had little luck of their own, they did have one advantage. A magical moment back in the game. — Jeff Rueter

sparse crowd

The early kickoff, three hours before the next game involving the Mexican national team, which has spent the past five years establishing AT&T Stadium as “El Tri's second home,” sets up the packed Arlington crowd well. There wasn't. And a packed house wasn't.

Most of the 80,000 seats in the stadium, which will host the 2026 World Cup semi-finals, were mostly empty as DJs and promotional teams encouraged fans to make noise during the countdown to kickoff.

The American supporters section was full, but other sections were empty at first but filled up as the game progressed.

Arlington sits between Dallas (42 percent Latino, according to the latest U.S. Census figures) and Fort Worth (35 percent). In both cities, people who finished work at 5 p.m. Thursday may have had a hard time battling the usual traffic jams, but getting to their seats in time for the national anthem was difficult due to persistent rain and event-related traffic. The disorder worsened. Or maybe Mexican fans simply wanted to grab a bite to eat or enjoy a tailgate rather than watch their biggest rivals misfortune. Crowds flocked to the stadium to watch for the late own goal, and each time the huge videoboard showed Burke's head contrasting with the ball, you could hear an audible “oh!” from the crowd.

The same scene may be repeated this weekend. Canada and Trinidad and Tobago will kick off Saturday at 3pm local time at Toyota Stadium in Frisco for a spot in Group A of the Copa America. Hondurans, many of whom live in the area, may choose to party in the parking lot before heading in for the 6:15 a.m. kickoff against Costa Rica. – John Arnold


Crowds lined up for America's victory (Aric Becker/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

US reaction is poor

It's a credit to Jamaica for being astute from the start. Teams tend to let their guard down against throw-ins, especially in the first few seconds of a game. Dexter Lembikisa plays a decisive bounce pass towards Anthony Robinson, which bounces off the makeshift playing surface and leaves the Fulham defender swinging his legs helplessly as club team-mate De Córdoba-Reid mounts the ball. , raised the cross. Box just before the end line. Scully was unable to read the play and Lee's emphatic header was just reward for a well-crafted play.

(Note to aspiring coaches: Never waste a throw-in in the attacking third.)

Apparently, temporary competitive surfaces continued to play a role. Even in the Paramount+ broadcast, I could easily detect three or four different shades of grass. Some were a healthy green, others an almost sickly shade of yellow. As a result, different zones of the field had vastly different ball surfaces, causing the ball to fly with great force in some places and have awkward bounces and slow movement in others.

Of course, a team that prides itself on being a regional powerhouse has to live up to that, especially when the tournament is held on their home field. Jamaica continued to frustrate the Americans, making smart use of tactical fouls to slow the pace before the home team could get into a rhythm, clogging the central channels just outside the box and forcing teams to hit crosses with prayer, then took advantage of Jamaica's height. Folarin Balogun made a few mistakes, but they were just lightly weighted passes on the counter that ended up being free runs for Christian Pulisic.

The US was clearly annoyed. Timothy Ware and Weston McKennie were desperate to get involved in the game, moving frequently from their usual positions in hopes of establishing numerical superiority in any area of ​​the field. It took nearly 47 minutes of concentration, but Jamaica had an incredible 81% possession in the first half and, despite few encouraging moments, was able to send the Americans into halftime. – Jeff Rueter


Jamaica is still waiting for its moment in the spotlight for this generation. (Ron Jenkins/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)

Jamaica still waiting for breakthrough

At a Nations League preview event in Dallas on March 5, Jamaica's Icelandic coach Heimir Hallgrimsson was asked when his team would re-enter the CONCACAF elite.

“In less than two weeks,” Hallgrimsson said with a smile.

Confidence is not an issue for Hallgrimsson. He is no stranger to inspiring lesser nations to memorable results, coaching Iceland to a historic victory over England at Euro 2016 and leading the country to the World Cup two years later. Obtained the right to participate. They were the smallest nation ever to qualify for the tournament.

Hallgrimsson sees many similarities between that Iceland team and the Jamaican team he currently coaches.

“Jamaica has always been a small country compared to the great powers,” Hallgrimsson recently told The Athletic. “The American, Mexican and Canadian federations have far more resources than we do and can provide better facilities and support for their players. It’s just about making sure you get the most out of things.”

Jamaica did just that tonight with several key starters unavailable. Jamaica, theoretically undermanned, used disciplined defensive tactics to match the Americans. It was also a staple of Hallgrimsson's Iceland team. It's not pretty, but it's effective.

“This game is completely different from other sports,” Hallgrimsson said. “This game is very different because there are so few goals. And if you don't concede, you can win any game. So how many basic things you need to do to be 100% accurate? There are. And I think we are gradually getting there. And there are individual qualities in Jamaica that can hurt anyone.”

Jamaica came close to a historic upset in Dallas, but finally broke through in overtime. For Hallgrimsson, this loss will be a reality check. It will take 120 minutes of perfect play to defeat the regional giants.

“Hopefully we're getting closer to the trophy too. I hope it happens now,” Hallgrimsson said. “But if we don't, at least we're hopeful that we'll improve from this, but there's an opportunity and we're going to try to seize that opportunity. So why not? ?” – Felipe Cardenas

(Photo Credit: Stephen Nadler/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)





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