Jamaica scored two goals in the first half, and held off the United States to advance to Sunday’s final in Philadelphia.
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Jamaica will face Mexico in the final on Sunday. It was the first Caribbean semi-finalist since Guadeloupe in 2007.
Jamaica, which had won once in 22 run-ins with the U.S. national team going into the Gold Cup semifinals, foiled the championship matchup that, by nearly unanimous consent, could have been carved in granite. “You don’t see it very often”. Unfortunately it will be to the Gold Cup’s third-place game.
Once again, the U.S.is the favorite in this Gold Cup match. That gave Jamaica a free kick and Barnes hooked a shot over the defensive wall and into the right side of net.
Klinsmann said his steady rotation would allow his players to remain fresh throughout the three-week, six-game tournament, but his constant changes robbed his team of consistency, rhythm and perhaps harmony. It was a rare yet correct call, as his arm did indeed stray over the line as he delivered the ball. “But I’m not a referee”.
Replays suggested that the penalty was the wrong call and Panama’s players protested for 10 minutes but Mexico captain Andres Guardado converted the penalty – and another in extra time – as El Tri went on to triumph 2-1.
Bradley came through for the U.S.in the third minute of the second half.
Their team also had no easy time, even with the red-card expulsion of Panama’s Luis Tejada in the 25th minute. Unfortunately for the Americans, they were unable to put the ball in the back of the net a second time.
The USA’s last opportunity to equalize came in the 81st minute, but Thompson did well to parry away a clever chip by Clint Dempsey near the right post for a corner kick. Win the playoff game against either Jamaica or Mexico and they book your ticket. Security officials escorted him off the field.
“I ask myself why did this happen?” said Panama coach Hernan Gomez through a translator. It is very sad.
A long throw-in from the U.S. via Brad Evans gave the Americans another chance in the 71 minute when his service found Brooks, who directed a header on frame.
The Jamaicans charged onto the field with pure joy at the end of their victory, while a small contingent of fans, clad in green and gold, saluted the Reggae Boyz. The small contingent of green-and-gold-clad Jamaican fans saluted their underdog team, which became the first Caribbean nation to reach a Gold Cup final. This was just the second win for Jamaica over the U.S. since 1988 and the first ever on U.S. soil. “Everyone knows how we are as a country”.
The Reggae Boyz had the USA off balance from the opening whistle and in the 31st minute, the pressure paid off. Darren Mattocks got things started heading home the first goal of the night following a long free throw into the box by Kemar Lawrence.
After Jamaica goalkeeper Ryan Thompson could not cleanly handle an Aron Johannsson effort, Bradley raced towards the loose ball and slotted it home from seven-yards out with his left foot in the 48th minute. He then rose higher than Brooks and sent a backwards header arcing over goalkeeper Brad Guzan. In the era when teams outside the region were invited, the Americans lost semifinals to Brazil in 1996 and 2003, and a quarterfinal to Colombia in 2000.
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“We have no divine right to be in the finals”, said U.S. midfielder Michael Bradley.
