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| Gold Cup semi-final: USA v Jamaica – live! | Gold Cup semi-final: USA v Jamaica – live! |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 6.52pm ET23:52 | |
| Half-time: USA 0-2 Jamaica | |
| Wow. Well, who saw that coming? | |
| 6.52pm ET23:52 | |
| 45 min: Clever, cynical tactical foul from McCleary to stop Johnson. But that’s a yellow card, and a chance for USA from the dead ball. But Bradley’s ball in is poor, and Thompson catches with ease. | |
| 6.51pm ET23:51 | |
| 44 min: Great stop from Ryan Thompson, but that was a big chance for USA: Johansson found Dempsey, who got between two defenders and fired a powerful left-footer, low, from about 12 yards: it might have sneaked under the keeper, but Thompson did very well to block and smother. | |
| 6.49pm ET23:49 | |
| 43 min: Jamaica have looked dangerous down this right-hand side, and McCleary goes again, but Brooks come across to cover. | |
| On the bench, Klinsmann looks shocked. | |
| 6.47pm ET23:47 | |
| 41 min: USA need half-time. They’re really struggling. McCleary goes down the right again, but that’s a good tackle from Beckerman, and USA come away with it. | |
| 6.45pm ET23:45 | |
| 38 min: That was a really odd free-kick: from the side angle, it looked like Barnes bent it into the top corner, but on replay, from behind the goal, he just placed it on net. Guzan’s positioning was all off, and he didn’t look like saving it at all. Much too easy. | |
| Kyle Brown says it all: | |
| Guzan may have just lost his job. :-( | |
| 6.43pm ET23:43 | |
| 38 min: Shambolic from Brad Guzan, I’m afraid. The keeper claimed the ball after that Jamaica corner, but was then penalised for holding on to it as he exited the area. So unusual, but it was a Jamaica free-kick right on the edge, and Barnes stepped up and just pinged it. But it wasn’t in the corner by any means: should Guzan have stopped it? Yes, in short. Two bad errors from the goalie. Come back Tim! | |
| 6.41pm ET23:41 | |
| USA 0-2 Jamaica (Barnes 36) | |
| Giles Barnes! That’s a magnificent free-kick! | |
| 6.41pm ET23:41 | |
| 34 min: That was just very strange: John Strong on Fox commentary suggested Beckerman had been booked in the aftermath of the Jamaica goal, and then he was carded again … so where was the red? Well, Strong misspoke and then apologised: it appears Beckerman hadn’t picked up that initial yellow. | |
| 6.40pm ET23:40 | |
| 33 min: Crude lunge from Beckerman as Barnes looked to escape, and that’s a deserved yellow. USA are a shambles in defence at the moment! | |
| 6.38pm ET23:38 | |
| Well, that’s set a cat among the pigeons! That was just a regulation dead ball in from the left side, and USA went to sleep: Mattocks got up above four USA defenders, and craned his neck to direct an excellent looping header past Guzan. The keeper was nowhere, but that was really poor marking: how did Mattocks get so free? | |
| 6.37pm ET23:37 | |
| GOAL! USA 0-1 Jamaica (Mattocks 31) | |
| USA down! From nowhere! | |
| 6.36pm ET23:36 | |
| 30 min: Now Thompson makes amends: that’s a very good save from Fabian Johnson’s right-footer from the left. Bradley’s corner is headed wide by Dempsey. USA on top here! | |
| 6.35pm ET23:35 | |
| 29 min: That was almost a hilarious goal from Aron Johannsson! Morgan played it back to Thompson, who took a poor first touch, and was suddenly in trouble as Johannsson closed him down in the six-yard box. Thompson tried to dribble clear, but Johannsson won it cleanly, and it squirted just wide of the post. So close! That was Rene Higuita against Cameroon all over again. | |
| Updated at 6.36pm ET | |
| 6.33pm ET23:33 | |
| 27 min: Jamaica have really retreated: Barnes and Mattocks are so isolated. But that’s a huge chance for Giles Barnes! McCleary worries Johnson down the left, and finds Barnes … but he slams it over! Just like Zardes, but that was a better chance, and he should have hit the target. | |
| 6.31pm ET23:31 | |
| 26 min: Jamaica are really under pressure here. Klinsi’s on his feet. Corner for USA. Schafer is cross about something or other. It’s all go! Bedoya’s ball in is claimed, just about, by Thompson. | |
| 6.30pm ET23:30 | |
| 25 min: Chance for Zardes, after Bradley tore through the middle, but he blasts it over. He leant back and got underneath it: a shame. | |
| 6.30pm ET23:30 | |
| 24 min: Bradley’s ball in this time, looking for Brooks, but Jamaica pummel clear. They can’t hold it though, and it’s back with Bedoya, who finds Johannsson … and Jamaica scramble it clear again! Dempsey’s was inches away from getting on the end of that. The pressure’s building. | |
| 6.28pm ET23:28 | |
| 22 min: That’s the best move of the match so far, and Jamaica were at sixes and sevens: Bedoya and Johnson combined very nicely down the left, but the Reggae Boyz did just about enough to hack clear. Corner to USA, but Austin directs it out of play. Another corner. | |
| 6.26pm ET23:26 | |
| 20 min: Jamaica have found their feet after a poor start. It’s pretty even so far. | |
| Anyone got any emails/online manifestos/recipe suggestions? | |
| 6.24pm ET23:24 | |
| 19 min: Zardes has struggled to get involved so far, and he can’t link up with Dempsey. Jamaica clear. And now McAnuff turns Zardes to come away and win the free-kick. Well played. | |
| 6.23pm ET23:23 | |
| 17 min: USA look to break with Dempsey, but Jobi McAnuff steps in with an excellent tackle. Now Jamaica burst forward with McCleary, and that’s a corner, but it’s over everyone. The set pieces so far have been a mild horror show. | |
| 6.21pm ET23:21 | |
| 15 min: Can we talk about Jürgen Klinsmann’s fleece jacket? It’s punishingly unstylish. I think he’d look better in full USA uniform, to be honest, including boots, gum shield and jock strap. | |
| Johannsson is fouled, but the ref waves play on, and Dempsey has a pop from distance, but it’s over the bar. USA looking positive in attack. | |
| 6.19pm ET23:19 | 6.19pm ET23:19 |
| 13 min: Bradley’s cross is headed away. Then Dempsey has a go from the opposite flank, but it’s claimed by Thompson. | 13 min: Bradley’s cross is headed away. Then Dempsey has a go from the opposite flank, but it’s claimed by Thompson. |
| 6.18pm ET23:18 | 6.18pm ET23:18 |
| 12 min: Well, we picked out Mattocks as one to watch, but that was a chance missed: McCleary did ever so well to cut in from the right and breeze past Beckerman, and he fed Mattocks, but the striker’s touch was poor, and he took far too long, allowing USA to recover. Then Watson blams one from distance, but it’s wide. | 12 min: Well, we picked out Mattocks as one to watch, but that was a chance missed: McCleary did ever so well to cut in from the right and breeze past Beckerman, and he fed Mattocks, but the striker’s touch was poor, and he took far too long, allowing USA to recover. Then Watson blams one from distance, but it’s wide. |
| 6.16pm ET23:16 | 6.16pm ET23:16 |
| 10 min: Nice touch from Bradley, but Lawrence does well to nip in and steal it. Jamaica have started to play after an iffy opening few minutes. | 10 min: Nice touch from Bradley, but Lawrence does well to nip in and steal it. Jamaica have started to play after an iffy opening few minutes. |
| “Every time I played against them, Jamaica were a very difficult opponent,” says Friedel on commentary. | “Every time I played against them, Jamaica were a very difficult opponent,” says Friedel on commentary. |
| 6.14pm ET23:14 | 6.14pm ET23:14 |
| 7 min: Kemar Lawrence with the set piece, but it’s hit into the wall, and loops up, and it’s a foul on Guzan. Schafer’s look is one of irritation, disgust and contempt. A total waste. | 7 min: Kemar Lawrence with the set piece, but it’s hit into the wall, and loops up, and it’s a foul on Guzan. Schafer’s look is one of irritation, disgust and contempt. A total waste. |
| 6.13pm ET23:13 | 6.13pm ET23:13 |
| 6 min: Morgan looks for Mattocks over the top, and Brooks took an awkward touch, although I think that was the pitch more than anything. Now Austin is tripped by Beckerman right on the edge of the box. A clear trip, and a dangerous position for Jamaica. | 6 min: Morgan looks for Mattocks over the top, and Brooks took an awkward touch, although I think that was the pitch more than anything. Now Austin is tripped by Beckerman right on the edge of the box. A clear trip, and a dangerous position for Jamaica. |
| 6.10pm ET23:10 | 6.10pm ET23:10 |
| 4 min: Shot of Winfried Schafer on the bench, looking, with his long white hair and steel-rimmed spectacles, like the eccentric chief executive of a Silicon Valley behemoth. Bedoya does well down the left, but Ryan Thompson claims. USA, unusually, have started brightly. | 4 min: Shot of Winfried Schafer on the bench, looking, with his long white hair and steel-rimmed spectacles, like the eccentric chief executive of a Silicon Valley behemoth. Bedoya does well down the left, but Ryan Thompson claims. USA, unusually, have started brightly. |
| Updated at 6.54pm ET | |
| 6.08pm ET23:08 | 6.08pm ET23:08 |
| 2 min: But that’s a cheap corner to give away from Jamaica. Chance early for USA, but Austin heads away well. The ball is definitely rolling funny on this surface. | 2 min: But that’s a cheap corner to give away from Jamaica. Chance early for USA, but Austin heads away well. The ball is definitely rolling funny on this surface. |
| 6.07pm ET23:07 | 6.07pm ET23:07 |
| 1 min: And we’re off! And immediately USA belt it into touch. Groan. | 1 min: And we’re off! And immediately USA belt it into touch. Groan. |
| 6.06pm ET23:06 | 6.06pm ET23:06 |
| A bit more info on that Jamaican lineup: they go 4-4-2, with Barnes and Mattocks up front. Brad Friedel reckons they’ll try to defend deep and counter-attack. “Wes Morgan is going to be so important.” | A bit more info on that Jamaican lineup: they go 4-4-2, with Barnes and Mattocks up front. Brad Friedel reckons they’ll try to defend deep and counter-attack. “Wes Morgan is going to be so important.” |
| Julie Stewart-Binks has some information on the field at the Georgia Dome. Basically, it’s crap, and Winfried Schafer is not happy. | Julie Stewart-Binks has some information on the field at the Georgia Dome. Basically, it’s crap, and Winfried Schafer is not happy. |
| 6.03pm ET23:03 | 6.03pm ET23:03 |
| OK, that’s the anthems done. Nicely. We’re minutes away. | OK, that’s the anthems done. Nicely. We’re minutes away. |
| 6.00pm ET23:00 | 6.00pm ET23:00 |
| The players are emerging from the tunnel. USA all in white, Jamaica in green jerseys with yellow shorts. It’s steamy in Atlanta. | The players are emerging from the tunnel. USA all in white, Jamaica in green jerseys with yellow shorts. It’s steamy in Atlanta. |
| My hot take: Jamaica look taller. | My hot take: Jamaica look taller. |
| Updated at 6.01pm ET | Updated at 6.01pm ET |
| 5.57pm ET22:57 | 5.57pm ET22:57 |
| Here’s tonight’s heated debate: should Howard come back and get the goalkeeper’s jersey? Text me, email me, any way you want me! As long as you love me, it’s all right. | Here’s tonight’s heated debate: should Howard come back and get the goalkeeper’s jersey? Text me, email me, any way you want me! As long as you love me, it’s all right. |
| 5.54pm ET22:54 | 5.54pm ET22:54 |
| Six minutes to go! Although with the Gold Cup, the kick off time is merely a suggestion. I’d bet hundreds and thousands of dollars we’re late. | Six minutes to go! Although with the Gold Cup, the kick off time is merely a suggestion. I’d bet hundreds and thousands of dollars we’re late. |
| 5.53pm ET22:53 | 5.53pm ET22:53 |
| Alexi Lalas on Fox reckons USA will be OK if Guzan continues in goal, but Warren Barton talks of Guzan’s “big blunders” and remembers Howard’s performance against Belgium last year. | Alexi Lalas on Fox reckons USA will be OK if Guzan continues in goal, but Warren Barton talks of Guzan’s “big blunders” and remembers Howard’s performance against Belgium last year. |
| “Some of them saves was remarkable,” opines Barton. Yep! Them really was. | “Some of them saves was remarkable,” opines Barton. Yep! Them really was. |
| 5.49pm ET22:49 | 5.49pm ET22:49 |
| Fox are showing a little segment about goalkeeping, with advice from Brads Guzan and Friedel, Tony Meola, William Yarbrough, Nick Rimando et al. “People used to say you have to be a bit thick to be a goalkeeper,” grins Friedel. Never! | Fox are showing a little segment about goalkeeping, with advice from Brads Guzan and Friedel, Tony Meola, William Yarbrough, Nick Rimando et al. “People used to say you have to be a bit thick to be a goalkeeper,” grins Friedel. Never! |
| And on that very topic, Tim Howard announced today that he’s ready to return for the US team, after a break and some R&R. But is Jürgen Klinsmann ready for him? | And on that very topic, Tim Howard announced today that he’s ready to return for the US team, after a break and some R&R. But is Jürgen Klinsmann ready for him? |
| 5.45pm ET22:45 | 5.45pm ET22:45 |
| Last week, Michael Bradley let slip his true feelings on the Gold Cup: | Last week, Michael Bradley let slip his true feelings on the Gold Cup: |
| “I say this with total endearment: It’s a ridiculous tournament.” | “I say this with total endearment: It’s a ridiculous tournament.” |
| Ha! I mean, he’s right: there’s lots to enjoy in this competition, but the scheduling, the facilities, the pitches, the travel … all ludicrous. Grass laid atop artificial turf, matches played in baking, 100F-plus temperatures, all in the middle of the MLS season. Still, if USA win tonight they’ll be in another final, and they’ll qualify automatically for the 2017 Confederations Cup. | Ha! I mean, he’s right: there’s lots to enjoy in this competition, but the scheduling, the facilities, the pitches, the travel … all ludicrous. Grass laid atop artificial turf, matches played in baking, 100F-plus temperatures, all in the middle of the MLS season. Still, if USA win tonight they’ll be in another final, and they’ll qualify automatically for the 2017 Confederations Cup. |
| Incidentally, Mexico take on Panama at 9pm ET in the very same stadium in Atlanta. USA the warm-up act, Mexico the main event. Joke! | Incidentally, Mexico take on Panama at 9pm ET in the very same stadium in Atlanta. USA the warm-up act, Mexico the main event. Joke! |
| 5.38pm ET22:38 | 5.38pm ET22:38 |
| Things We Like, No 755 in a never-ending series: Aron Johannsson and Clint Dempsey in attack. The pair have forged an effective partnership in Jozy Altidore’s absence, and Deuce has six Gold Cup goals already: he leads the top scorers in this tournament. But Johannsson’s been great, too. Here’s Jack Kerr on the Icelander born in Alabama: | Things We Like, No 755 in a never-ending series: Aron Johannsson and Clint Dempsey in attack. The pair have forged an effective partnership in Jozy Altidore’s absence, and Deuce has six Gold Cup goals already: he leads the top scorers in this tournament. But Johannsson’s been great, too. Here’s Jack Kerr on the Icelander born in Alabama: |
| Related: Aron Jóhannsson on the Gold Cup: 'It's up to us to prove we can win it' | Related: Aron Jóhannsson on the Gold Cup: 'It's up to us to prove we can win it' |
| 5.34pm ET22:34 | 5.34pm ET22:34 |
| Some British interest in that Jamaica lineup: McAnuff, Morgan, Mariappa, McCleary, Barnes – all familiar to fans of the Premier League and Championship, past and present. And in Darren Mattocks of the Vancouver Whitecaps, Jamaica have got a real speedster. America’s back line better beware. | Some British interest in that Jamaica lineup: McAnuff, Morgan, Mariappa, McCleary, Barnes – all familiar to fans of the Premier League and Championship, past and present. And in Darren Mattocks of the Vancouver Whitecaps, Jamaica have got a real speedster. America’s back line better beware. |
| Updated at 5.35pm ET | Updated at 5.35pm ET |
| 5.32pm ET22:32 | 5.32pm ET22:32 |
| US Soccer never publish the lineups of the opponent: it’s such bad form, and it annoys me. I’m like a hot kettle! Anyway, here’s Jeff Carlisle with the Jamaica lineup: | US Soccer never publish the lineups of the opponent: it’s such bad form, and it annoys me. I’m like a hot kettle! Anyway, here’s Jeff Carlisle with the Jamaica lineup: |
| Jamaica lineup vs. #usmnt: Thompson; Lawrence, Hector, Morgan, Mariappa; McAnuff, Watson, Austin, McCleary; Mattocks, Barnes | Jamaica lineup vs. #usmnt: Thompson; Lawrence, Hector, Morgan, Mariappa; McAnuff, Watson, Austin, McCleary; Mattocks, Barnes |
| 5.31pm ET22:31 | 5.31pm ET22:31 |
| So two changes from the side that beat Cuba: Omar Gonzalez makes way for John Brooks, who comes back after suspension, and Brad Evans replaces Timmy Chandler at right-back. | So two changes from the side that beat Cuba: Omar Gonzalez makes way for John Brooks, who comes back after suspension, and Brad Evans replaces Timmy Chandler at right-back. |
| 5.30pm ET22:30 | 5.30pm ET22:30 |
| Here’s the US lineup: | Here’s the US lineup: |
| #USMNT Starting XI vs. Jamaica (4-2-3-1): Guzan; Evans, Alvarado, Brooks, Johnson; Bradley, Beckerman; Zardes, Dempsey, Bedoya; Johannsson | #USMNT Starting XI vs. Jamaica (4-2-3-1): Guzan; Evans, Alvarado, Brooks, Johnson; Bradley, Beckerman; Zardes, Dempsey, Bedoya; Johannsson |
| 5.29pm ET22:29 | 5.29pm ET22:29 |
| Hello and welcome | Hello and welcome |
| Like Michael Johnson, Donovan Bailey and Naim Suleymanoglu in 1996, USA and Jamaica are going for gold in Atlanta. The USMNT play the Reggae Boyz in the first Gold Cup semi-final: for USA, it’s the chance to make yet another final, and for Jamaica, it’s the chance to make history. The Jamaicans have never been to a Gold Cup final; the USA have been in the past five (and have won three of them). Jürgen Klinsmann’s men are hot favourites, Jamaica are the underdogs, but this is football – bloody hell! – and nothing’s guaranteed. Should be a cracker: kick off is 6pm ET, and you should come and join the fun. | Like Michael Johnson, Donovan Bailey and Naim Suleymanoglu in 1996, USA and Jamaica are going for gold in Atlanta. The USMNT play the Reggae Boyz in the first Gold Cup semi-final: for USA, it’s the chance to make yet another final, and for Jamaica, it’s the chance to make history. The Jamaicans have never been to a Gold Cup final; the USA have been in the past five (and have won three of them). Jürgen Klinsmann’s men are hot favourites, Jamaica are the underdogs, but this is football – bloody hell! – and nothing’s guaranteed. Should be a cracker: kick off is 6pm ET, and you should come and join the fun. |
| 5.00pm ET22:00 | 5.00pm ET22:00 |
| Tim will be here shortly. In the meantime, here’s why Concacaf is expecting a USA v Mexico final: | Tim will be here shortly. In the meantime, here’s why Concacaf is expecting a USA v Mexico final: |
| Though both teams have failed to impress, it seems that the inevitability of a USA-Mexico final is all but upon us, with both teams just one victory away from the final in Philadelphia. | Though both teams have failed to impress, it seems that the inevitability of a USA-Mexico final is all but upon us, with both teams just one victory away from the final in Philadelphia. |
| But as the semi-finals get under way on Wednesday, both USA and Mexico should be wary of their opponents, two sides that have earned their way to this stage thanks to some dogged performances. | But as the semi-finals get under way on Wednesday, both USA and Mexico should be wary of their opponents, two sides that have earned their way to this stage thanks to some dogged performances. |
| Related: USA and Mexico a game away from Gold Cup final – but beware the underdogs | Related: USA and Mexico a game away from Gold Cup final – but beware the underdogs |