The Gold Cup begins on a disappointing note for the United States after dropping points in the opening game to a new look Jamaica squad 1-1 in Chicago on Saturday night. A goal from Daimon Lowe was canceled out by Brandon Vazquez scoring his second goal for the USMNT in dramatic fashion after coming off of the bench. It was a poachers goal in the 88th minute that rescued the point, as Vazquez pounced on a poor clearance from a Jesus Ferreira cross to put the ball away from close range. But it was the keepers who were on display tonight as Andre Blakes's display for Jamaica was one-upped by Matt Turner stopping Leon Bailey's penalty in the first half, a save that proved to be the difference in the match.
Coming out of the gate, the United States struggled to deal with the pressure posed by the new look Reggae Boyz as again set pieces were their undoing. And it was Lowe's header from a dead ball situation in the 13th minute that put Jamaica ahead. But, adjustments were made and the introduction of Vazquez, Cristian Roldan and Djordje Mihailovic was enough to help push the team to secure a point. The dropped points could still become an issue for the United States as now Group A could come down to goal differential if both teams win their remaining two games.
This is a tournament where players can show that they can be contributors to the first choice national team and the early returns were disappointing. While the United States did control large portions of the game, they never threatened Jamaica until more experienced players like Roldan were brought on. After winning three consecutive Concacaf tournaments, there will be work to do if this team is to lift back to back Gold Cups.
B.J. Callaghan's tenure as interim head coach will come to an end after this tournament as Gregg Berhalter returns as coach of the national team so it should be used to go out as well as possible. Adjustments will be made before facing Saint Kitts and Neves on Wednesday but this was a match that didn't help anyone.
Fresh off of Demari Gray committing to represent Jamaica he was able to assist Lowe's goal giving a team in the Reggae Boyz that haven't won a match in a year an early lead. Now, led by former Iceland national team coach Heimir Hallgrimsson, Jamaica will need to get that win sooner than later but it wouldn't have come at a better time than by toppling the United States.
Now both teams need to go out and score as much as possible to ensure that they advance to the knockout stages of the tournament.
Jamaica still searches for their first win in over a year but the moments of growth are showing. For the United States, while a lot of players didn't cover themselves in glory in a chance to knock on the door of the first choice national team, one that did was Brandon Vazquez who scored the equalizer after Jamaica led for more than 75 mintues of the match.
It's getting loud as anyone can win this match in the waning moments. Jamaica has played an excellent game but the missed penalty could come back to bite them.
Brandon Vazquez is able to pounce on a ball that bounces off of multiple Jamaican defenders to level the match just after entering. We've got a game as things go into stoppage time.
The United States will play on but the match is finally stopped to tend to the Jamaican international.
Pressure from everywhere as James Sands tries to bring the United States level. Space is getting tight but Jamaica are only nine minutes from their first win in over a year.
Roldan has a great shot but Andre Blake wants to show that he's the best keeper in Concacaf. The follow up was blocked and things are heating up as pressure is building as the minutes grow.
Left back Amari'i Bell will depart after picking up an injury and Kemar Lawerence will replace him. The United States will bring on Roldan and Mihailovic to change up the midfield attack.
While he doesn't have a shot on goal yet, the West Ham man's hold up play is giving the defense nightmares. The match enters the 60th minute now and the United States will need to open things up soon to get a point but it will also leave them vulnerable to speed in attack as the defense is already struggling.
The USMNT attack needs dynamism in the final third and Cowell is someone who can help bring that to the match. Jordan Morris will depart as traditional wingers will help balance things to put pressure on a thin Jamaica defense.
It's Jalen Neal who is entering for Aaron Long as the USMNT needs to up the tempo. There will be space for both teams to operate as the game goes on. Long's withdrawal is due to quad tightness.
Jordan Morris thought that the was bringing things level before the half but Andre Blake came up with a deflection that was just enough to change the shot to a corner kick. That's a massive massive moment.
Yedlin has to bring down Reid to prevent a possible goal as the United States are struggling to cope with pressure. Halftime is around the corner and it can't come soon enough for the USMNT.
Tackles are flying as each team has quality that has to be respected. So far Jamaica are getting the better of the chances but Lowe especially is living dangerously. B.J. Callaghan trails for his first time as coach of the USMNT and will need to tweak things sooner than later as the team should be behind by two goals.
Leon Bailey comes to take the penalty and Turner reads it the whole way. Bailey's follow up is nowhere near the net as the United States now has a lifeline 29 mintues in but Jamaica are still pushing the pace.
Following the long throw there was chaos in the box and Aidan Morris commits the foul.
It's a header from Damion Lowe that opened the scoring from a set play. He was able to beat Matt Miazga in space and now the Reggae Boyz are pushing the pace. The assist goes to the newest member of the team, Demarai Gray.
Jamaica squanders a chance at one end and the United States are able to turn it into the first shot on Andre Blake's net. Both of these teams want to get out in transition but it is leaving them open at the back so could adjustments be made as the match continues?
While the teams are feeling each other out, the pace is high as the teams also have the feeling that this is a must win affair. A loss in the match could see either team struggling to get out of the group and Damion Lowe has already picked up a yellow card for a challenge on James Sands in only the third minute of play.
Next up are anthems before we get underway in Chicago.
A talented team, the Reggae Boyz need to put everything together, because this is a must win match to advance out of Group A. These two teams met in the 2017 final, where Morris powered the United States to victory and will look to do it again. Jamaica has never won the Gold Cup, but this may be the most talented team that they have assembled.
With seven players hailing from Premier League teams, Jamaica has tapped into dual national recruitment but they've yet to make it show on the pitch yet. The attack could give the United States trouble with Michail Antonio, Leon Bailey and Demarai Gray all to keep an eye on but defense is where the team unravels. After Andre Blake and Ethan Pinnock, Jamaica's defenders haven't been able to show up when needed and they can't afford to give the United States space even with the team's lack of experience.
The only injury concern in the squad is Miles Robinson who is a game time decision but in the young squad all eyes will be on Jordan Morris. One of the most experienced, members of this team, Morris is going to have a chance to lead the group, but also needs to show that he can consistently score goals to keep up with the new look front line now that Folarin Balogun is in the USMNT setup and attacking spots will come at a premium.
For other players in the squad, this is an important chance to shine. While the Gold Cup may have lost some of the luster behind it, it is a critical part in the road to making a World Cup squad. U.S. Soccer is looking to make sure that as many players as possible are prepared for knockout round games with the Olympics on the horizon as well as the Copa America. With no World Cup qualifiers ahead of 2026, these tournaments will be the only time for the team to feel competitive pressure together which is why every tournament has to be taken seriously.
Gaga Slonina, Jalen Neal, John Tolkin, Bryan Reynolds, Gianluca Busio, Aidan Morris, and Cade Cowell are all age eligible for the Olympics while 12 players on the roster have six or fewer caps, so this will be quite a tournament to get experience. The United States will have a tough foe in their first match though.
What a lineup for this team as it has a better attack than some bottom half Premier League teams.
Starters: Andre Blake, Dexter Lembikisa, Kevon Lambert, Amari'i Bell, Leon Bailey, Demarai Gray, Joel Latibeaudiere, Damion Lowe, Michail Antonio, Adrian Mariappa
Aidan Morris will be a new addition in midfield but for the most part, Callaghan is leaning on experience to start the match against Jamaica.
Starters: Matt Turner, DeAndre Yedlin, Aaron Long, Matt Miazga, Alan Sonora, James Sands, Jesus Ferreira, Jordan Morris, Aidan Morris, Alex Zendejas, John Tolkin
We have a youthful USMNT side that will be led by B.J. Callaghan as all eyes will be on Cade Cowell after his strong performance during the U-20 World Cup. In a side that includes quite a few players who could represent the United States at the Olympics, it can be an important tournament despite some national team regulars being with their clubs after just winning Nations League.
