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| USA 2-1 Jamaica: Gold Cup final – as it happened | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 4.55am BST | |
| 04:55 | |
| Final thoughts: In the end the game pretty much followed the script, other than the sad exit of Andre Blake with a hand injury halfway through the first half. | |
| Bu we thought Jamaica would bunker and look to counter at speed, or grab a goal on a set piece. They did, and their goal came at a perfect time to puncture the USA’s momentum. | |
| Likewise we thought the USA would see a lot of the ball, be patient in the build up and have chances against fatigued opponents late on. Indeed, that’s the broad stroke picture of what happened, but there was nothing inevitable about how it went down — the USA were pushed all the way and in the end needed a kindly break to set up the winning goal, though it was a fantastic finish by Morris. | |
| Speaking of Morris, he’s just been telling the post-game interviewers how relieved he was to get a goal to make up for losing his man on the Jamaica goal, but perhaps most significant of all for him will be the fact that he played every game in this tournament and looks to have cemented his position for the remainder of the World Cup qualifiers. | |
| That’s for another day however. For now, the USA are the Gold Cup winners and Bruce Arena can celebrate the first trophy of his second period with the team. Thanks for joining me tonight and sorry I couldn’t use all your tweets and emails. Good night. | |
| 4.47am BST | 4.47am BST |
| 04:47 | 04:47 |
| Scenes | Scenes |
| Jordan Morris looks overcome as he contemplates his dramatic late winner. Jamaica’s players looking understandably distraught at the dramatic nature of the loss, when they’d done so well to put themselves back in touch with snatching the game themselves. | Jordan Morris looks overcome as he contemplates his dramatic late winner. Jamaica’s players looking understandably distraught at the dramatic nature of the loss, when they’d done so well to put themselves back in touch with snatching the game themselves. |
| The stage is being set up for the trophy presentation now, as the US celebrate their sixth Gold Cup win. Jamaica still waiting for one. Final thoughts in a moment. | The stage is being set up for the trophy presentation now, as the US celebrate their sixth Gold Cup win. Jamaica still waiting for one. Final thoughts in a moment. |
| 4.44am BST | 4.44am BST |
| 04:44 | 04:44 |
| FINAL SCORE: USA 2-1 JAMAICA | FINAL SCORE: USA 2-1 JAMAICA |
| USA WIN THE GOLD CUP! | USA WIN THE GOLD CUP! |
| 4.44am BST | 4.44am BST |
| 04:44 | 04:44 |
| 90 mins+3: The US box crowded in these final seconds as the US try to see out the game. Zusi heads the ball clear, Altidore is fouled and that should be that... | 90 mins+3: The US box crowded in these final seconds as the US try to see out the game. Zusi heads the ball clear, Altidore is fouled and that should be that... |
| 4.42am BST | 4.42am BST |
| 04:42 | 04:42 |
| 90 mins+2: Tim Howard given a yellow card for timewasting as he stalls on the goal kick. | 90 mins+2: Tim Howard given a yellow card for timewasting as he stalls on the goal kick. |
| Powell goes on a powerful desparate run forward, but McCarty recovers well to help Zusi crowd him out. We’ve had two of three added on minutes. | Powell goes on a powerful desparate run forward, but McCarty recovers well to help Zusi crowd him out. We’ve had two of three added on minutes. |
| 4.41am BST | 4.41am BST |
| 04:41 | 04:41 |
| 90 mins: McCarty coming in to shore up the midfield in a minute, but not before Williams hooks a first time shot that was dipping dangerously even as it flashed past the top right corner of Howard’s goal. Nagbe off for McCarty now. | 90 mins: McCarty coming in to shore up the midfield in a minute, but not before Williams hooks a first time shot that was dipping dangerously even as it flashed past the top right corner of Howard’s goal. Nagbe off for McCarty now. |
| 4.40am BST | 4.40am BST |
| 04:40 | 04:40 |
| GOAL! USA 2-1 JAMAICA (MORRIS!) | GOAL! USA 2-1 JAMAICA (MORRIS!) |
| The ball’s been ricocheting around the Jamaica box a few times tonight, without ever breaking cleanly for the US, but this time, as a hopeful Zardes cross is headed clear, it deflects off Demspey and lands perfectly for Morris just beyond the spot. He hits the sweetest of first time shots through traffic and the US lead! | The ball’s been ricocheting around the Jamaica box a few times tonight, without ever breaking cleanly for the US, but this time, as a hopeful Zardes cross is headed clear, it deflects off Demspey and lands perfectly for Morris just beyond the spot. He hits the sweetest of first time shots through traffic and the US lead! |
| 4.38am BST | 4.38am BST |
| 04:38 | 04:38 |
| 86 mins: Chaos in the Jamaica box as Demsey runs up, scuffs his kick and inadvertently almost sets up a team mate. Morris can’t get turned to get a clean shot off and eventually as the US frantically try to turn the ball goalwards a foul is called and Jamaica breathe again. | 86 mins: Chaos in the Jamaica box as Demsey runs up, scuffs his kick and inadvertently almost sets up a team mate. Morris can’t get turned to get a clean shot off and eventually as the US frantically try to turn the ball goalwards a foul is called and Jamaica breathe again. |
| Lambert comes on for Richie now, just in time for Gordon to send a free kick into the US box, where Lowe can’t get a clean header. Goal kick for the US. And a final Jamaican sub. Cory Burke comes on. | Lambert comes on for Richie now, just in time for Gordon to send a free kick into the US box, where Lowe can’t get a clean header. Goal kick for the US. And a final Jamaican sub. Cory Burke comes on. |
| 4.35am BST | 4.35am BST |
| 04:35 | 04:35 |
| 84 mins: Stuart hedges writes, with the subject line, “Puto chants” | 84 mins: Stuart hedges writes, with the subject line, “Puto chants” |
| “In an American stadium. Seriously disgraceful and disappointing. They’ve been going on all match on Jamaican goal kicks, so it’s not like they haven’t had a chance to crack down on it. As an American football fan, I’m embarrassed and shamed. Pathetic display.” | “In an American stadium. Seriously disgraceful and disappointing. They’ve been going on all match on Jamaican goal kicks, so it’s not like they haven’t had a chance to crack down on it. As an American football fan, I’m embarrassed and shamed. Pathetic display.” |
| Yep. Not big or clever. | Yep. Not big or clever. |
| Altidore checks inside in the left channel and is brought down. Dempsey picks up the ball — this is maybe 27 yards out left of center... | Altidore checks inside in the left channel and is brought down. Dempsey picks up the ball — this is maybe 27 yards out left of center... |
| 4.32am BST | 4.32am BST |
| 04:32 | 04:32 |
| 82 mins: Another free kick from distance for the US has Bradley looking to float one deep. Headed clear by Watson. | 82 mins: Another free kick from distance for the US has Bradley looking to float one deep. Headed clear by Watson. |
| US trying to press with quicker passes now, but finally Dempsey and Villafana can’t quite combine in the box and the play breaks down. | US trying to press with quicker passes now, but finally Dempsey and Villafana can’t quite combine in the box and the play breaks down. |
| 4.30am BST | 4.30am BST |
| 04:30 | 04:30 |
| 80 mins: Heading in to the last ten minutes, and the pattern set. US stretching play out wide and Jamaica attacking at speed on the counter. One such attack ends now with Howard sprawling to block a MAttocks ball across goal — mattocks was called offside in the build-up but that looked a dodgy call. No doubt Jamaica are a real threat on the counter. | 80 mins: Heading in to the last ten minutes, and the pattern set. US stretching play out wide and Jamaica attacking at speed on the counter. One such attack ends now with Howard sprawling to block a MAttocks ball across goal — mattocks was called offside in the build-up but that looked a dodgy call. No doubt Jamaica are a real threat on the counter. |
| 4.28am BST | 4.28am BST |
| 04:28 | 04:28 |
| 78 mins: That was a great save from Miller by the way. He’s generally done very well since stepping in for Blake. | 78 mins: That was a great save from Miller by the way. He’s generally done very well since stepping in for Blake. |
| Now Zardes comes in to replace Arriola and is instantly involved in running at Jamaica from the right, but he can’t find Altidore with his square final pass. | Now Zardes comes in to replace Arriola and is instantly involved in running at Jamaica from the right, but he can’t find Altidore with his square final pass. |
| 4.27am BST | 4.27am BST |
| 04:27 | 04:27 |
| Dempsey hits the post! | Dempsey hits the post! |
| It’s all up for grabs now! After that chance for Jamaica, Villafana sends a cross into the box from the left again and Dempsey rises to get a header down to Miller’s right, which the keeper just gets enough of a touch to to see it bounce back of the post. No record yet for Dempsey, and no break of the stalemate. | It’s all up for grabs now! After that chance for Jamaica, Villafana sends a cross into the box from the left again and Dempsey rises to get a header down to Miller’s right, which the keeper just gets enough of a touch to to see it bounce back of the post. No record yet for Dempsey, and no break of the stalemate. |
| 4.25am BST | 4.25am BST |
| 04:25 | 04:25 |
| 74 mins: Fierce shot from edge of box by Morris, that’s tipped over the bar at full stretch> | 74 mins: Fierce shot from edge of box by Morris, that’s tipped over the bar at full stretch> |
| Corner is not only wasted, it leads to a dangerous Jamaica counter that ends with Powell coming in to the near post looking for a flick home from a low driven cross, only for Zusi to somehow scramble it out for a corner! | Corner is not only wasted, it leads to a dangerous Jamaica counter that ends with Powell coming in to the near post looking for a flick home from a low driven cross, only for Zusi to somehow scramble it out for a corner! |
| 4.22am BST | 4.22am BST |
| 04:22 | 04:22 |
| 72 mins: So just a reminder that unlike earlier rounds there is the possibility of extra-time before penalties tonight. | 72 mins: So just a reminder that unlike earlier rounds there is the possibility of extra-time before penalties tonight. |
| I get paid the same, in case you were wondering. | I get paid the same, in case you were wondering. |
| 4.21am BST | 4.21am BST |
| 04:21 | 04:21 |
| 70 mins: Zardes preparing to enter the game now, perhaps for Morris. | 70 mins: Zardes preparing to enter the game now, perhaps for Morris. |
| Fifth US corner as Zusi gets into the box and tries to cut the ball back from byline> Jamaica suddenly looking stretched for the first time. Bradley goes for an outswinger from the right this time and Gonzalez does well to get the flock goalwards almost on target, though in truth Bradley’s delivery had left him way too much to do. | Fifth US corner as Zusi gets into the box and tries to cut the ball back from byline> Jamaica suddenly looking stretched for the first time. Bradley goes for an outswinger from the right this time and Gonzalez does well to get the flock goalwards almost on target, though in truth Bradley’s delivery had left him way too much to do. |
| 4.19am BST | 4.19am BST |
| 04:19 | 04:19 |
| 68 mins: Morris makes a powerful sprint down the left to outflank his defenders and cut the ball back just beyond the spot to where Arriola can’t quite get his feet set for a clean shot. Jamaica scrambling and grateful for a kind deflection. | 68 mins: Morris makes a powerful sprint down the left to outflank his defenders and cut the ball back just beyond the spot to where Arriola can’t quite get his feet set for a clean shot. Jamaica scrambling and grateful for a kind deflection. |
| But now they’re on backfoot again as Dempsey squeezes the ball across to Morris in space on the corner of the box, but his touch to the overlapping Villafana is just behind his team mate, who can’t get a clean touch. Definite increase in US tempo right now. | But now they’re on backfoot again as Dempsey squeezes the ball across to Morris in space on the corner of the box, but his touch to the overlapping Villafana is just behind his team mate, who can’t get a clean touch. Definite increase in US tempo right now. |
| 4.16am BST | 4.16am BST |
| 04:16 | 04:16 |
| 66 mins: Corner for the US after Villafana’s cross is charged down by Powell. It’s taken short and eventually worked for a placed shot from Bradley that’s blocked for another corner. | 66 mins: Corner for the US after Villafana’s cross is charged down by Powell. It’s taken short and eventually worked for a placed shot from Bradley that’s blocked for another corner. |
| Big cluster of US players crowd the near post and Bradley sends it there, only for it to be cleared by Powell for yet another corner. Again he powers a lovely inswinger towards the near post, but this time Miller is able to grab it. | Big cluster of US players crowd the near post and Bradley sends it there, only for it to be cleared by Powell for yet another corner. Again he powers a lovely inswinger towards the near post, but this time Miller is able to grab it. |
| 4.14am BST | 4.14am BST |
| 04:14 | 04:14 |
| 64 mins: Williams has a half chance wide in the box and he at least gets his shot on target, but Howard bats it down comfortably. | 64 mins: Williams has a half chance wide in the box and he at least gets his shot on target, but Howard bats it down comfortably. |
| Villafana curls an outswinger to the back of the box, where Arriola gets up to get a head on goal, but there’s no power in it and Miller gathers it. USA definitely trying to do more from out wide in this half. | Villafana curls an outswinger to the back of the box, where Arriola gets up to get a head on goal, but there’s no power in it and Miller gathers it. USA definitely trying to do more from out wide in this half. |
| 4.12am BST | 4.12am BST |
| 04:12 | 04:12 |
| 62 mins: Morris sends a dangerous cross to near post and Lowe apparently didn’t know his keeper was behind him as he heads the ball into the ari and behind him. Both he and Miller were grateful no US player had risked crashing the box there. | 62 mins: Morris sends a dangerous cross to near post and Lowe apparently didn’t know his keeper was behind him as he heads the ball into the ari and behind him. Both he and Miller were grateful no US player had risked crashing the box there. |
| Morris might get some joy on the left after a muted showing in the middle for the first part of this game. Jamaica look to be tiring, and there’ll be chances. Then again, the US are not exactly stretching them for pace right now. | Morris might get some joy on the left after a muted showing in the middle for the first part of this game. Jamaica look to be tiring, and there’ll be chances. Then again, the US are not exactly stretching them for pace right now. |
| 4.10am BST | 4.10am BST |
| 04:10 | 04:10 |
| 60 mins: Bradley scoops the free kick into the box looking for Gonzalez, who sends Lowe sprawling as he vies for the ball. The Jamaican goes down in some discomfort and play is stopped. He’s OK though. Richie got a yellow card for that foul on Nagbe by the way. | 60 mins: Bradley scoops the free kick into the box looking for Gonzalez, who sends Lowe sprawling as he vies for the ball. The Jamaican goes down in some discomfort and play is stopped. He’s OK though. Richie got a yellow card for that foul on Nagbe by the way. |
| Game is a little scrappy right now — for one thing the surface continues to give the players trouble, but we’re also at a stage when the coaches have to decide when and how they go for this. | Game is a little scrappy right now — for one thing the surface continues to give the players trouble, but we’re also at a stage when the coaches have to decide when and how they go for this. |
| 4.07am BST | 4.07am BST |
| 04:07 | 04:07 |
| 58 mins: Zusi tries to cut in from the right but Lawrence boots it clear and now the USA are relieved to see the flag go up on MAttocks as he steps behind the defense looking to pick up Powell’s pass. | 58 mins: Zusi tries to cut in from the right but Lawrence boots it clear and now the USA are relieved to see the flag go up on MAttocks as he steps behind the defense looking to pick up Powell’s pass. |
| UP the other end go the US, and Nagbe gets clattered again by Richie, and the US will have a free kick 40 yards out left of center... | UP the other end go the US, and Nagbe gets clattered again by Richie, and the US will have a free kick 40 yards out left of center... |
| 4.05am BST | 4.05am BST |
| 04:05 | 04:05 |
| 56 mins: So here comes Dempsey, and he’s coming on for Acosta, trying to unsettle the ordered Jamaican defnse. Morris goes out wide and Nagbe comes inside alongside Bradley — or realistically ahead of him, as Acosta was. | 56 mins: So here comes Dempsey, and he’s coming on for Acosta, trying to unsettle the ordered Jamaican defnse. Morris goes out wide and Nagbe comes inside alongside Bradley — or realistically ahead of him, as Acosta was. |
| 4.04am BST | 4.04am BST |
| 04:04 | 04:04 |
| 54 mins: We thought Blake had left the stadium but he’s actually on the Jamaica bench with his hand heavily bandaged. He looks a little more cheerful after that goal. | 54 mins: We thought Blake had left the stadium but he’s actually on the Jamaica bench with his hand heavily bandaged. He looks a little more cheerful after that goal. |
| Just as the USA’s goal seemed perfectly timed, Jamaica’s goal came early enough in the second half that they hadn’t had to abandon their initial game plan of keeping things tight. Now the USA have to break them down all over again, which may explain Clint Dempsey warming up. Is the stage set for Deuce? USA need to reassert themselves. Jamaica understandably playing with confidence right now. | Just as the USA’s goal seemed perfectly timed, Jamaica’s goal came early enough in the second half that they hadn’t had to abandon their initial game plan of keeping things tight. Now the USA have to break them down all over again, which may explain Clint Dempsey warming up. Is the stage set for Deuce? USA need to reassert themselves. Jamaica understandably playing with confidence right now. |
| 4.01am BST | 4.01am BST |
| 04:01 | 04:01 |
| GOAL! USA 1-1 JAMAICA (WATSON!) | GOAL! USA 1-1 JAMAICA (WATSON!) |
| It was always the most likely way for Jamaica to score! Great free kick from Lawrence to the back post, and Morris loses JeVaughan Watson completely as he crashes in at an angle to hit a first time shot from the edge of the six yard box for an equalizer! | It was always the most likely way for Jamaica to score! Great free kick from Lawrence to the back post, and Morris loses JeVaughan Watson completely as he crashes in at an angle to hit a first time shot from the edge of the six yard box for an equalizer! |
| 3.59am BST | 3.59am BST |
| 03:59 | 03:59 |
| 50 mins: Altidore coming deep pretty regularly. On more than a few occasions he’s been picking up the ball and pushing it forward to Acosta runnning ahead of him, as they try to draw Jamaica out of their defensive shape. | 50 mins: Altidore coming deep pretty regularly. On more than a few occasions he’s been picking up the ball and pushing it forward to Acosta runnning ahead of him, as they try to draw Jamaica out of their defensive shape. |
| Another Bradley inswinging free kick briefly ahs Miller in trouble as he collides with his own defender, but Jamaica get the ball clear, and in fact go up the other to earn a corner, as Besler steps in to block a cross. Can they make it count? | Another Bradley inswinging free kick briefly ahs Miller in trouble as he collides with his own defender, but Jamaica get the ball clear, and in fact go up the other to earn a corner, as Besler steps in to block a cross. Can they make it count? |
| 3.57am BST | 3.57am BST |
| 03:57 | 03:57 |
| 48 mins: USA pick up where they left off. Moving the ball laterally, patiently looking for an opening. Jamaica still sitting back at the start of the half. | 48 mins: USA pick up where they left off. Moving the ball laterally, patiently looking for an opening. Jamaica still sitting back at the start of the half. |
| Andre Blake has left the stadium for x-rays by the way. Worrying for the young keeper. | Andre Blake has left the stadium for x-rays by the way. Worrying for the young keeper. |
| 3.55am BST | 3.55am BST |
| 03:55 | 03:55 |
| Second half begins | Second half begins |
| Peep! etc. USA kick off. | Peep! etc. USA kick off. |
| 3.50am BST | 3.50am BST |
| 03:50 | 03:50 |
| Heartbreaking domestic tension on Twitter | Heartbreaking domestic tension on Twitter |
| Hey @grahamparkerfc Hard to focus on this #USAvJAM match. My partner is loudly cheering for the Reggae Boys, "Beat those Dirty Yankees!" | Hey @grahamparkerfc Hard to focus on this #USAvJAM match. My partner is loudly cheering for the Reggae Boys, "Beat those Dirty Yankees!" |
| Why can’t we just be nice? Bill follows up with a whole thread that conveys his love of the game and inability to listen during couples therapy... | Why can’t we just be nice? Bill follows up with a whole thread that conveys his love of the game and inability to listen during couples therapy... |
| Sure enough, he’s back a minute later, with this: | Sure enough, he’s back a minute later, with this: |
| Yep, you're right. It was sad to see Andre Blake be taken off. He has been the player of the tournament. #USAvJAM #GoldCup2017 | Yep, you're right. It was sad to see Andre Blake be taken off. He has been the player of the tournament. #USAvJAM #GoldCup2017 |
| Which may be the equivalent of presenting his Jamaica-loving partner with garage forecourt flowers. | Which may be the equivalent of presenting his Jamaica-loving partner with garage forecourt flowers. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.54am BST | at 3.54am BST |
| 3.48am BST | 3.48am BST |
| 03:48 | 03:48 |
| Half-time thoughts: So the stats will suggest that the most significant moment of the first half came with Jozy Altidore’s perfect free kick to open the scoring, just before half-time, but it may be that when we look back on this final we end up remembering the sad sight of Andre Blake trudging towards the locker room halfway through the half, after going off injured from a final that could have cemented his reputation. | Half-time thoughts: So the stats will suggest that the most significant moment of the first half came with Jozy Altidore’s perfect free kick to open the scoring, just before half-time, but it may be that when we look back on this final we end up remembering the sad sight of Andre Blake trudging towards the locker room halfway through the half, after going off injured from a final that could have cemented his reputation. |
| As it was, when Altidore’s free kick zipped over the wall, it was Blake’s replacement, Dwayne Miller, who faced it, and as little chance as he had, there was maybe a little suspicion that he made his move slightly too late. | As it was, when Altidore’s free kick zipped over the wall, it was Blake’s replacement, Dwayne Miller, who faced it, and as little chance as he had, there was maybe a little suspicion that he made his move slightly too late. |
| The move that made that decisive free kick was initiated by a run and pass inside by Nagbe by the way. His counterpart on the right, Paul Arriola, has generally looked the livelier presence, but in the end it’s Nagbe who made the more telling intervention. | The move that made that decisive free kick was initiated by a run and pass inside by Nagbe by the way. His counterpart on the right, Paul Arriola, has generally looked the livelier presence, but in the end it’s Nagbe who made the more telling intervention. |
| As for Jamaica, they’ve had a couple of set pieces to try and pack the US box for, and Mattocks had a couple of runs where his speed up against Zusi’s relative defensive inexperience was a threat, but there’ve been no clear chances for them, and now they’re in a position where they have to chase the game, the USA will fancy their chances of opening them up again. | As for Jamaica, they’ve had a couple of set pieces to try and pack the US box for, and Mattocks had a couple of runs where his speed up against Zusi’s relative defensive inexperience was a threat, but there’ve been no clear chances for them, and now they’re in a position where they have to chase the game, the USA will fancy their chances of opening them up again. |
| I’ll be back for the second half. | I’ll be back for the second half. |
| 3.41am BST | 3.41am BST |
| 03:41 | 03:41 |
| Half-time: USA 1-0 Jamaica | Half-time: USA 1-0 Jamaica |
| Half-time thoughts in a minute. | Half-time thoughts in a minute. |
| 3.40am BST | 3.40am BST |
| 03:40 | 03:40 |
| 45 mins+4: Speaking of Blake, would he have stopped that free kick? I’m not sure — it was brilliantly taken by Altidore. But Blake’s been in brilliant form. | 45 mins+4: Speaking of Blake, would he have stopped that free kick? I’m not sure — it was brilliantly taken by Altidore. But Blake’s been in brilliant form. |
| Another free kick for the US now as Watson takes down Nagbe wide left. This one’s swung into Miller’s arms b Bradley without further danger. And that will be that for the half. | Another free kick for the US now as Watson takes down Nagbe wide left. This one’s swung into Miller’s arms b Bradley without further danger. And that will be that for the half. |
| 3.38am BST | 3.38am BST |
| 03:38 | 03:38 |
| 45 mins +2: Miller has to come out sharply to smother the ball with Morris lurking. Jamaica can’t afford to concede again in the four minutes that have been added on for the Blake injury. | 45 mins +2: Miller has to come out sharply to smother the ball with Morris lurking. Jamaica can’t afford to concede again in the four minutes that have been added on for the Blake injury. |
| 3.37am BST | 3.37am BST |
| 03:37 | 03:37 |
| GOAL! USA 1-0 JAMAICA (ALTIDORE!) | GOAL! USA 1-0 JAMAICA (ALTIDORE!) |
| Beautiful, beautiful free kick up and over the wall by Jozy Altidore. Power placement, and swerve into the top right corner. Miller, waiting to guess the movement of the ball, made his step to save too late. USA lead just before half-time! | Beautiful, beautiful free kick up and over the wall by Jozy Altidore. Power placement, and swerve into the top right corner. Miller, waiting to guess the movement of the ball, made his step to save too late. USA lead just before half-time! |
| 3.35am BST | 3.35am BST |
| 03:35 | 03:35 |
| 44 mins: Another challenge for the US late in the half after Besler fouls Mattocks some 40 yards from goal. Lawrence clips the ball towards the back post but it was always too close to Howard. | 44 mins: Another challenge for the US late in the half after Besler fouls Mattocks some 40 yards from goal. Lawrence clips the ball towards the back post but it was always too close to Howard. |
| The goalkeeper instantly boots the ball long for Arriola, who controls brilliantly then tries to run through three Jamaican defenders only to lose it on the corner of the box. He wants a free kick but the referee is not interested. | The goalkeeper instantly boots the ball long for Arriola, who controls brilliantly then tries to run through three Jamaican defenders only to lose it on the corner of the box. He wants a free kick but the referee is not interested. |
| THIS will be a free kick though. Bradley comes inside and is bundled over around 30 yards out... | THIS will be a free kick though. Bradley comes inside and is bundled over around 30 yards out... |
| 3.33am BST | 3.33am BST |
| 03:33 | 03:33 |
| 42 mins: Acosta gets his feet caught under him while trying to angle for a shot on the edge of the Jamaican box. The central midfielder is playing in a very advanced position, given that Bradley is sitting back and Jamaica are in such a defensive posture. | 42 mins: Acosta gets his feet caught under him while trying to angle for a shot on the edge of the Jamaican box. The central midfielder is playing in a very advanced position, given that Bradley is sitting back and Jamaica are in such a defensive posture. |
| Lovely touch from Altidore sends Nagbe haring in from the left, and he drops his shoulder to head into space before driving the ball back to where Arriola has just gone too soon with his run into the box. The chance is gone. | Lovely touch from Altidore sends Nagbe haring in from the left, and he drops his shoulder to head into space before driving the ball back to where Arriola has just gone too soon with his run into the box. The chance is gone. |
| 3.31am BST | 3.31am BST |
| 03:31 | 03:31 |
| 40 mins: Awkward couple of moments for the US as the corner goes deep and looks like it’s about to sit up for Watson to have a clear volley from ten yards, only for Morris to recover. With half-time approaching the US can’t let their concentration slip, while Jamaica would love to nick one now, after being on the defensive for the entire half. | 40 mins: Awkward couple of moments for the US as the corner goes deep and looks like it’s about to sit up for Watson to have a clear volley from ten yards, only for Morris to recover. With half-time approaching the US can’t let their concentration slip, while Jamaica would love to nick one now, after being on the defensive for the entire half. |
| 3.29am BST | 3.29am BST |
| 03:29 | 03:29 |
| 38 mins: Acosta is in late on Richie and picks up a yellow card. Jamaica pack the box on the free kick, just over the halfway line. and as it comes in Howard goes for it, spills and then is relieved to hear the whistle for a foul. | 38 mins: Acosta is in late on Richie and picks up a yellow card. Jamaica pack the box on the free kick, just over the halfway line. and as it comes in Howard goes for it, spills and then is relieved to hear the whistle for a foul. |
| Lovely run from Darren Mattocks now as he arrows in from the left, twisting and turning into the left of the box at speed, before Gonzalez recovers enough to concede a corner at the edge of the six yard box. | Lovely run from Darren Mattocks now as he arrows in from the left, twisting and turning into the left of the box at speed, before Gonzalez recovers enough to concede a corner at the edge of the six yard box. |