The U.S. Men’s National Team was upset by Jamaica on Wednesday, losing 2-1 to the Caribbean nation in the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup semifinal.
With Sounders FC’s Clint Dempsey and Brad Evans in the starting lineup, the USMNT suffered just its second defeat to Jamaica in 23 all-time meetings (13-2-8). As a result, the Reggae Boyz move on to the tournament final and the Americans will play in the third-place game on Saturday in Philadelphia.
Michael Bradley netted the lone goal for the Stars and Stripes, scoring in the 48th minute after the Reggae Boyz took a 2-0 lead into halftime. The goal came on a rebound of Aron Johannsson’s shot, as the ball was bobbled by Jamaica goalkeeper Ryan Thompson and deflected to Bradley on a touch from Dempsey.
Both of Jamaica’s goals were scored by fellow MLS players: Vancouver Whitecaps FC forward Darren Mattocks headed home a long throw-in in the 31st minute, and Houston Dynamo striker Giles Barnes made it 2-0 on a free kick from just outside the box five minutes later. The Reggae Boyz earned a free kick when USA keeper Brad Guzan was called for handling the ball outside the box.
The USMNT had reached the final of five straight Gold Cups before Wednesday’s loss. As the defending tournament champion, the USA will face the winner of this Gold Cup in a playoff to determine which nation represents CONCACAF at the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup in Russia.
