US Men’s National Team Defeats Jamaica to Secure Semi-Final Spot in Concacaf Nations League

The United States Men's National Team (USMNT) secured a spot in the Concacaf Nations League semifinals after defeating Jamaica 4-2 in the second leg of their quarterfinal, achieving a 5-2 aggregate victory. The match, held in St. Louis, saw a dominant first-half performance from the U.S. side, managed by coach Mauricio Pochettino.

In the first half, the U.S. team put the series out of reach for Jamaica with goals from Christian Pulisic and Ricardo Pepi. These efforts built upon the 1-0 lead from the first leg, thereby establishing a commanding position in the tie. The match also marked the return of Tim Weah to the lineup, having been absent since receiving a red card during the Copa America. Weah’s early efforts resulted in a shot on the post, setting the tone for the team’s high-tempo start.

Pulisic scored the opener following a perfect cross and added a second goal with a deflected shot, before Pepi’s precise finish sent the U.S. into halftime with a 3-0 lead. Pulisic’s contributions now tie him with Eric Wynalda for fourth in the team’s history with 51 goal contributions.

Tim Weah restored the three-goal margin in the second half with a stunning volley, although Jamaica’s Gray managed to score a late consolation goal. The match concluded with a 4-2 victory for the U.S., ensuring their advancement to the semifinals at SoFi Stadium in March.

Alongside the triumph, Christian Pulisic’s goal celebration went viral as it replicated a dance associated with U.S. President Donald Trump, which Pulisic claimed was simply for fun. The game also ensured the U.S. team qualified for the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup, while Jamaica will need to compete in a qualifier.

Reflecting on the match, coach Mauricio Pochettino emphasized the need for continued improvement. «We need to be stronger in March,» he advised his players. «This result shows our progress, but there’s more to achieve as we build towards the World Cup at home.»

The victory in St. Louis was also significant for Pochettino, marking his third win in his first four matches as the national team coach. Despite key players like Gio Reyna and Tyler Adams being unavailable, the team delivered their best performance yet under his guidance, showcasing potential and depth with contributions from players such as Tanner Tessmann and Pepi.