USMNT beats Jamaica 4-2 in Leg 2 to reach Nations League semifinals
The U.S. men's national team is moving on.
The Stars and Stripes on Monday easily cruised past Jamaica in the second leg of the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals .
After winning 1-0 on the road on Thursday, the U.S. had a more comfortable X-X result at Energizer Park in St. Louis.
Christian Pulisic had a brace within 33 minutes, his first coming in the 14th after an exquisite lobbed pass from Weston McKennie. Pulisic connected first time before goalie Andre Blake could arrive.
McKennie again got on the assist sheet for Pulisic's brace in the 33rd. After running down the full right flank, McKennie gave a cutback cross that midfielder Tanner Tessman faked, opening the angle for Pulisic. The shot took a deflection and rolled in.
The U.S. found a third a few minutes before halftime. After helping win a duel, left-back Antonee Robinson fed Ricardo Pepi, the lone scorer of the first leg, who faked a one-two pass to turn and fire, which just snuck into the bottom right corner.
Jamaica didn't back down from that point on, though. Gray made it a brace for himself in the 68th minute after quickly tapping home a poor parry attempt from Turner, which came right in his path.
Pulisic and McKennie then made way for Brendan Aaronson and Gianluca Busio a minute later, while Cade Cowell, Brandon Vazquez and Alex Zendejas all entered in 77th, 78th and 88th minutes.
The U.S. ended the game with 68% possession, seven shots on target and three big chances. Jamaica had six shots on target and two big chances, so manager Mauricio Pochettino will need to find ways to lower that total given the side's lack of possession.
Panama, Costa Rica, Mexico, Honduras, Canada and Suriname are all still alive in the tournament. The next FIFA-recognized international break isn't until March 2025.
