USA beats Jamaica 2-1 to win sixth CONCACAF Gold Cup

The United States captured its sixth Gold Cup crown — one shy of Mexico's record seven victories in the regional championship for North and Central America and the Caribbean.

Published : Jul 27, 2017 10:06 IST , AFP

The USA team celebrates winning the final football game of the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup against Jamaica.
The USA team celebrates winning the final football game of the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup against Jamaica.
lightbox-info

The USA team celebrates winning the final football game of the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup against Jamaica.

Jordan Morris's late strike lifted the United States to a 2-1 victory over Jamaica on Wednesday in the CONCACAF Gold Cup final.

The United States captured its sixth Gold Cup crown — one shy of Mexico's record seven victories in the regional championship for North and Central America and the Caribbean.

Morris sealed it in dramatic fashion with a goal in the 89th minute.

A misdirected Jamaican clearance was knocked down by US super-sub Clint Dempsey near the penalty spot and Morris blazed a right-footed shot past Jamaican keeper Dwayne Miller and inside the right post.

Jozy Altidore's superb free kick had put the United States ahead in the 45th minute, but Jamaica's Je-Vaughn Watson equalized in the 50th as the underdog Jamaicans pushed the US hard.

Jamaica was playing in its second straight Gold Cup final, after falling to Mexico in 2015.

That year it ousted the United States in the semifinals, while this year it sent the Mexicans packing.

Although it has joined the US and Mexico as the only teams to reach back-to-back finals, it is now just the second team to lose consecutive title matches.

Since the inception of the Gold Cup, Mexico and the US have won all but one edition, with Canada triumphing in 2000.

Jamaica lost its talismanic goalkeeper, Andre Blake, to a hand injury early in the contest.

Miller was in goal as halftime approached, when US captain Michael Bradley was fouled in mid-field and Altidore curled the ensuing free kick over the wall and into the top corner of the net.

Miller soared to get his fingertips to the ball but couldn't keep it out of the net.

Jamaica pulled level when Watson bulled his way past Morris on a Kemar Lawrence's corner kick to volley a short shot past US goalkeeper Tim Howard.

Morris admitted that he was stung when the man he was marking scored -- and relieved he could make up for it with the game-winner.

"Credit to Jamaica -- they made it very tough for us," Morris said. "I was nervous -- it was my guy that scored on the (Jamaican) goal. So I was trying to make up for that any way I could.

"Obviously, I take responsibility for it, but luckily I could put it in the back of the net."

The first real chance for either team had come in the 19th minute, and the play proved costly for Jamaica.

Altidore fired a 25-yard blast and Blake rose to make the save. Trying to score from the rebound, the United States' Kellyn Acosta crashed into Blake, whose right hand was injured badly enough to take the Jamaican captain out of the game.

He had led Jamaica to three shut-out victories in the tournament, including a 1-0 triumph over defending champion Mexico in the semis.

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment