The US men’s national team (USMNT) triumphed 4-2 over Jamaica in St. Louis on Monday night, advancing to the CONCACAF Nations League semifinals for the first time since the competition’s inception. The result, following a 1-0 victory in the first leg in Jamaica, gave the US a 5-2 aggregate win.
The match was dominated by the US in the first half, where they built a 3-0 lead. Christian Pulisic was the standout performer, scoring two goals, while Ricardo Pepi added a low strike from outside the box. Jamaica responded early in the second half with Demarai Gray pulling one back, but the US quickly restored their three-goal advantage through Timothy Weah. Gray added another for Jamaica late in the game, but it was not enough to spark a comeback.
With this victory, the USMNT not only secured their place in the Nations League semifinals but also earned a spot in the 2023 Gold Cup. Pulisic expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance, saying they came out “hot” and were adapting well to new tactics under head coach Mauricio Pochettino.
Pochettino, who took charge two months ago, praised his players’ ability to quickly understand and execute his strategies. “The first 45 minutes are the way we want to grow,” he said, reflecting on the team’s improved cohesion and quick learning curve.
Having suffered a setback against Mexico earlier in the international window, Pochettino is optimistic about the team’s future, especially with the 2026 World Cup on the horizon. “We need to be desperate to arrive in March and be all together,” he said. “This shows that we are becoming a real group of people, ready to fight for something special.”
The USMNT now looks ahead to their semifinal match, with Pochettino’s vision for a unified and competitive squad taking shape.
