One man’s disappointment is another man’s statement victory. For as much as Wednesday night’s Gold Cup semifinal match-up can be painted as everything that is wrong with U.S. Soccer, perhaps it can also be used to paint everything that is right with Jamaican football right now. The Caribbean nation moved on to their first Gold Cup final appearance by defeating the United States 2-1 in front of a packed crowd at the Georgia Dome.
Jamaica took the lead in the 35th minute with a free kick strike by forward Giles Barnes. His low curling strike went over the American wall and just beyond the reach of goalkeeper Brad Guzan. The goal was his second of the tournament.
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The Reggae Boyz would double their lead just five minutes later when forward Darren Mattocks. On a throw-in taken by defender Kemar Lawrence, Mattocks would jump over center-back John Anthony Brooks and flick a header for the U.S. far post. His shot took a bounce off of the bar and past Guzan for the 2-0 lead. The goal was Mattocks’ first in this year’s Gold Cup.
In general, the United States defense struggled to maintain their shape against the Jamaican attack. Jamaican midfielders Jaime McAnuff and James McCleary used were extremely patient in organizing their attack, holding the ball for long periods and delivering Mattocks and Barnes service when the opportunity presented itself. U.S. center-backs Brooks and Ventura Alvarado did struggle with their speed, but it was the technical aspects and the smart runs that caused them the greatest problem.
The United States would cut the lead in half in the 48th minute when U.S. forward Aron Johansson would hit a long distance strike that Jamaican goalkeeper Ryan Thompson would initially save, but bobble. U.S. midfielder Michael Bradley would collect the rebound, this after an initial try by forward Clint Dempsey was unsuccessful, and score. The goal was his second of the tournament and fifteenth of his international career.
After the goal the United States attack came to life. In the 60th minute Bradley nearly had the equalizer andd an Olimpico when his corner kick shot fooled Thompson and hit the post. Another set piece just nine minutes earlier looked promising when U.S. defender Fabian Johnson’s free kick forced Thompson to make another poor save. Johansson made a run at the rebound but his header went wide of the goal. Credit to the Jamaican defense who limited the U.S.’ opportunities inside of the penalty box and forced the United States to solely focus on long distance shots and set pieces.
For the United States this loss is obviously puts a major dent in their FIFA Confederation Cup plans and puts a stain on the legacy of Coach and Technical Director Jurgen Klinsmann. While there are certainly positives that can be taken from this tournament (the play of Clint Dempsey, Deandre Yedlin, and Michael Bradley) questions over roster selection and in particular his choices on defense still exist. Saturday’s third-place match against Panama (7/25, 4pm FS1, Univision) is a good place to start finding answers.
Jamaica on the other hand should be proud of the result and their play this summer. Coach Winfried Schafer has put together a strategy that fits the strengths of his players, something that previous Jamaican coaches have struggled to do. Aside from their 1998 World Cup appearance, Sunday’s Gold Cup Final against Mexico (7/26, 730pm, FS1 and Univision) will be their nation’s biggest football match ever. Schaefer’s side has defied the odds in the Copa America and the Gold Cup. Can they do it again?
