The host of the CONCACAF Gold Cup was eliminated from the tournament on Wednesday night. Jamaica defeated the United States by a score of 2-1 thanks to two early goals and staunch defensive play.
Jamaica was coming off a 1-0 win over Haiti in the quarterfinals and were underdogs heading into tonight's matchup against the U.S. But that didn't stop the Reggae Boyz from giving the 2013 Gold Cup champions a run for their money.
Michael Bradley, Clint Dempsey and the U.S. were coming off of a 6-0 victory over Cuba this past weekend. Jurgen Klinsmann's team finally looked as if they were turning the corner having gone 7-1-2 in their past 10 games, including victories over Mexico, Germany and the Netherlands.
However, the U.S. couldn't put the ball in the back of the net.
Jamaican strikers Darren Mattocks and Giles Barnes scored within five minutes of each other to take a 2-0 lead in the 36th minute. Mattocks scored on a header (31') and Barnes buried a free kick (36') after U.S. goalkeeper Brad Guzan was whistled for a handball just outside the 18-yard line. This gave the Jamaican defense a solid cushion.
Bradley, Dempsey, Gyasi Zardes, Aron Johannsson, Fabian Johnson and John Brooks all missed out on prime scoring chances, although Bradley's goal (48') right out of the gate in the second half kept the U.S. within reach.
The United States controlled possession for 60% of the match and compiled 20 shots on goal (10 on target), but it wasn't enough as Jamaican keeper Ryan Thompson made nine saves on the night.
Jamaica will face the winner of tonight's 9:00 p.m. ET matchup between Mexico and Panama on Sunday at 7:30 p.m. ET in Philadelphia. It will be the first finals appearance for Jamaica in the CONCACAF Gold Cup and the first time the United States won't participate in the final game since 2003.
Tonight was also the first loss the U.S. has suffered since March 25 against Denmark.
