The United States Men’s National Soccer Team, the defending World Cup Champions, were not able to get their hands on a win in this critical two-game series against Jamaica. The USMNT failed to score and had multiple penalty kicks saved by goalkeeper Andre Blake. Despite these shortcomings, they still managed to leave with a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes of play at Kingston’s historic stadium that was billed as “The People’s Game.”
The USMNT were fortunate to leave Jamaica with a draw in World Cup qualifying. The US women’s soccer team has been playing competitively for a while now, but the U.S. was not able to beat Jamaica.
There are numerous ways to interpret the United States’ 1-1 tie with Jamaica in World Cup qualifying on Tuesday in Kingston, depending on one’s viewpoint.
It was frustrating in that the United States Men’s National Team failed to capitalize on the momentum it gained with a thrilling 2-0 triumph against Mexico on Friday. That was the tone in the locker room after the game, where coach Gregg Berhalter saw his players’ dissatisfaction.
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After the first 20 minutes, the US was slow and hardly threatened, even playing in a humid setting on a less-than-ideal pitch. Combination play was missing, touches were heavy, and the squad seemed to run out of steam well before the final whistle.
Berhalter, on the other hand, should not be disappointed.
“We don’t consider the outcome to be unsatisfactory. We’re hoping for a positive outcome “he said “Any time we can gain a point away from home, especially in CONCACAF qualification, is a fantastic thing, and I want to be clear about that. I suppose the lads’ heads were down because we wanted more, but this is a point that will be taken to the next level on the road.”
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That is, of course, the optimistic viewpoint. The United States is well on its way to punching its ticket to Qatar 2022 after eight games of World Cup qualification. The road point meant the United States would finish first or second in the rankings with two three-match windows left, thanks to three automatic qualifying berths.
“That was the window’s goal,” Berhalter said.
Weston McKennie’s absence in center midfield was noticed throughout the game owing to his accumulation of yellow cards. His relationship with Tyler Adams and Yunus Musah has been a revelation for the USMNT, and the squad didn’t have quite the same bite in the center of the park with 19-year-old Gianluca Busio in place. Musah was also suffering with strep throat, according to Berhalter, which hindered his ability to make his normal impact before being replaced by Kellyn Acosta in the 66th minute.
The United States (15 points) is in second position, a point behind its northern neighbors, after Canada’s 2-1 triumph against Mexico later Tuesday night. Mexico and Panama are equal for third place (14 points) after Panama overcame El Salvador 2-1 after overcoming a 1-0 halftime deficit. This was Panama’s second comeback win of the season.
Berhalter’s stated goal is a perfectly acceptable one, even if it may imply a lack of ambition after losing out on Russia 2018. What it doesn’t say is that the US should consider itself lucky to have gotten the idea through in Kingston.
Gianluca Busio battled against Jamaica for Weston McKennie, who was unable to play owing to yellow cards. Fernando Llano/Associated Press
The absence of VAR (video assistant referee) in CONCACAF qualification hurt the United States versus Jamaica last month in Austin, Texas. In the game, there were two challenges that resulted in yellow cards that may easily have gone red after additional analysis. However, it had no bearing on the final score, as the US won 2-0 because to two second-half goals.
In this game, the positions were reversed, with the significant difference being that the absence of VAR likely lost Jamaica the victory. In the 84th minute, Damion Lowe scored what seemed to be the game-winning goal, but it was waved off due to an alleged foul on Lowe. As he jostled for position with the ball in flight, he made minor contact with US defender Walker Zimmerman, according to the replay.
Jamaica coach Theodore Whitmore commented, “That is something I don’t believe I want to speak about.” “I believe the authorities are there to carry out their duties. I can sit on the sidelines and say anything I want… I’m not someone who moans about officiating.”
Table CONCACAF
| GP | PTS | GD | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada is ranked first. | 8 | 16 | +8 |
| 2 – USA | 8 | 15 | +7 |
| Mexico is number three. | 8 | 14 | +4 |
| Panama is number four. | 8 | 14 | +2 |
| Costa Rica is number five on the list. | 8 | 9 | -1 |
| Jamaica is number six. | 8 | 7 | -4 |
| El Salvador is ranked number seven. | 8 | 6 | -6 |
| Honduras is number eight on the list. | 8 | 3 | -10 |
| 1-3 teams qualify for the playoffs; 4 teams advance to the second round. | |||
Whitmore has every right to be seething in private. Jamaica was five points behind Panama at the start of the day. With just six games remaining, falling two points further behind could be the difference between reaching the playoff match and earning a World Cup bid for the first time since 1998 — and only the second time ever. Michail Antonio’s magnificent effort from nearly 30 yards out beat USMNT goalkeeper Zack Steffen in the 22nd minute, demonstrating that Jamaica has the potential to reach that level.
After getting his passport, the English-born West Ham United striker is eligible to play for Jamaica this year. The 31-year-old had previously been summoned into several England youth national team groups but had never played. For the Reggae Boyz, he has already scored in both of his games this window.
“It’s one of those goals where you simply clap your hands and say, ‘Wonderful goal, amazing individual effort,’ and there’s nothing you can do about it,” Berhalter said.
Prior to Antonio’s goal, the United States seemed to be a squad poised to take up where it left off in Cincinnati on Friday night. The squad controlled possession, set up numerous dangerous offensive sequences, and went up 1-0 thanks to a spectacular goal from Timothy Weah, whose rise over the last three matches has highlighted the pool’s excellent striking depth.
“I feel wonderful when I’m with the national team,” Weah stated. “Being among the lads is like a breath of fresh air. We have a lot of fun together. We’ve been friends for a long time. So it’s just great to be back here.”
Weah slowed down halfway through the second half after playing 90 minutes against Mexico, and was replaced by Christian Pulisic, who is still working his way back to health. On Monday, Berhalter mentioned the idea of Pulisic starting, but later admitted on Tuesday that it was a little of gamemanship on his part to make the game preparation process for Jamaica more difficult. Pulisic’s effect against Jamaica was minor after scoring on his first touch against Mexico.
In a window that includes a trip to Canada (Jan. 30) and a home game against Honduras, the United States will start World Cup qualifying on Jan. 27 at home against El Salvador. Prior to that, on Dec. 18, it will play a friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
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