This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/jul/22/usa-crash-out-jamaica-gold-cup-final

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
USA crash out of Gold Cup as Jamaica upset the odds to reach first final USA crash out of Gold Cup as Jamaica upset the odds to reach first final
(35 minutes later)
Heading into the Gold Cup semi-final against USA, Jamaica coach Winfried Schäfer said “it feels like David against Goliath” for his side.Heading into the Gold Cup semi-final against USA, Jamaica coach Winfried Schäfer said “it feels like David against Goliath” for his side.
Related: Gold Cup semi-final: USA beaten by Jamaica – live! Related: Gold Cup semi-final: USA beaten by Jamaica – as it happened
The Reggae Boyz found their slingshot in the form of set pieces on Wednesday, denying USA a spot in the final of the Gold Cup for the first time in six tournaments. Benefiting from a rare call against USA goalkeeper Brad Guzan, goals from Darren Mattocks and Giles Barnes stunned the Americans 2-1, and earned Jamaica a chance to play for their first Gold Cup trophy. The Reggae Boyz found their slingshot in the form of set pieces on Wednesday, denying USA a spot in the final of the Concacaf Gold Cup for the first time in in 12 years. Benefiting from a rare call against USA goalkeeper Brad Guzan, goals from Darren Mattocks and Giles Barnes stunned the Americans 2-1, and earned Jamaica a chance to play for their first Gold Cup trophy.
Though poor finishing and turnovers from the Americans may be much to blame for their loss, an unusual call against Guzan, which led to Jamaica’s second goal, will surely be the talking point. On a routine throw to restart play, Guzan was penalised for carrying the ball beyond the 18-yard line, which gave Jamaica a free-kick right on the edge of the box. Barnes hammered it over the five-man wall and into the upper 90. The result was a historic upset – it was only Jamaica’s second win over USA of all time, and it made Jamaica the first Caribbean team to make a Gold Cup final. In front of a sellout crowd in Atlanta, Wednesday’s semi-final marked USA’s first home loss to a Caribbean team since 1969.
Guzan’s blunder left the Americans desperately chasing the game, something they haven’t needed to do in quite some time. Going into Wednesday’s semi-final, USA hadn’t trailed by two goals at half-time in their previous 34 matches, stretching back to August 2013. Though poor finishing and turnovers from the Americans may be much to blame for their loss, an unusual call against Guzan, which led to Jamaica’s second goal, will surely be the talking point. On a routine throw to restart play, Guzan’s arm extended beyond the 18-yard line with the ball, which gave Jamaica a free-kick right on the edge of the box. Barnes hammered it over the five-man wall and into the upper 90.
The Jamaicans opened scoring in the 31st minute on a long throw-in by Kemar Lawrence that met the head of Mattocks, who beat Joh Brooks in the air. The floating header nicked inside of the post, but didn’t cross the line until it bounced across the goalmouth, on to the opposite post and in. Guzan’s blunder left the Americans desperately chasing the game, something they haven’t needed to do in some time. Going into Wednesday’s semi-final, USA hadn’t trailed by two at the half in their previous 34 matches, stretching back to August 2013.
The Jamaicans opened scoring in the 31st minute on a long throw-in by Kemar Lawrence that met the head of Mattocks, who got up above John Brooks. The floating header nicked inside of the post, but didn’t cross the line until it bounced across the goalmouth, on to the opposite post and in.
A rough performance for Guzan in net will certainly give USA manager Jürgen Klinsmann plenty to think about in light of goalkeeper Tim Howard’s confirmation on Wednesday that he is ready to return to the national team. Howard, who took a break as USA’s starting goalkeeper after the 2014 World Cup, announced before the match that he had spoken to Klinsmann about returning. Howard continued club play with Everton during his international hiatus.A rough performance for Guzan in net will certainly give USA manager Jürgen Klinsmann plenty to think about in light of goalkeeper Tim Howard’s confirmation on Wednesday that he is ready to return to the national team. Howard, who took a break as USA’s starting goalkeeper after the 2014 World Cup, announced before the match that he had spoken to Klinsmann about returning. Howard continued club play with Everton during his international hiatus.
Jamaica’s own goalkeeping woes nearly cost them. Three minutes into the second half, Ryan Thompson couldn’t handle an Aron Johannsson shot from 20 yards out. Clint Dempsey’s effort, through Thompson’s hands, was blocked, but Michael Bradley, running in behind, knocked it home from close range. Jamaica’s own goalkeeping woes nearly cost them. Three minutes into the second half, Ryan Thompson couldn’t control an Aron Johannsson shot from 20 yards out. Clint Dempsey’s effort, through Thompson’s hands, was blocked, but Michael Bradley, running in behind, knocked it home from close range.
Thompson nearly conceded earlier on a forced error. The goalkeeper received a back pass as a charging Johannsson closed in. Johannsson slid into Thompson, poking the ball loose but, agonisingly for USA, into the side netting. Thompson nearly conceded earlier on a forced error. The goalkeeper received a back pass as a charging Johannsson closed in. Johannsson slid into Thompson, poking the ball loose but, agonizingly for USA, into the side netting.
Shaky moments aside, Thompson made a couple of key stops to buoy the Reggae Boyz. Before the break, Fabian Johnson cut the ball to his right to find a seam at the top of the box and sent a blast, forcing Thompson to make a lunging, two-handed stop. In the 57th minute, a Bradley laser shot ricocheted off Thompson’s chest, off the post and out to safety. Shaky moments aside, Thompson made a couple of key stops to buoy the Reggae Boyz. Fabian Johnson cut the ball to his right to find a seam at the top of the box and sent a blast, forcing Thompson to make a lunging, two-handed stop. In the 57th minute, a Bradley laser shot ricocheted off Thompson’s chest, off the post and out to safety.
The Americans controlled possession early and had their chances, but failing to take the opportunities may have been the dagger. Moments before Jamaica’s first goal, an open Clint Dempsey sent a header wide. He had sent one over the bar early in the first half.The Americans controlled possession early and had their chances, but failing to take the opportunities may have been the dagger. Moments before Jamaica’s first goal, an open Clint Dempsey sent a header wide. He had sent one over the bar early in the first half.
Wednesday’s loss cost USA an automatic berth into the 2017 Confederations Cup in Russia, and ends their streak Gold Cup final appearances at five. The surprise loss certainly puts pressure on Klinsmann after he announced that winning the tournament was his top priority. Klinsmann made just two changes from his line-up that dismantled Cuba over the weekend, replacing Omar Gonzalez with Brooks and Timmy Chandler with Brad Evans.
Jamaica will make their first appearance in a Gold Cup final on Sunday against the winner of the Panama-Mexico semi-final on Wednesday evening. Wednesday’s loss cost USA an automatic berth into the 2017 Confederations Cup in Russia, and ends their streak Gold Cup final appearances at five. Now USA can only qualify for the tournament by winning a run-off match against whoever is named the Gold Cup champion on Sunday.
Jamaica will make their first appearance in a Gold Cup final on Sunday against the winner of the Panama-Mexico semi-final on Wednesday evening. USA will play for third place in Saturday.