USMNT Advances to Concacaf Nations League Semi-Finals After Defeating Jamaica

In a gripping encounter held in St. Louis, the United States Men's National Team (USMNT) secured their spot in the semifinals of the Concacaf Nations League with a 4-2 victory over Jamaica, sealing a 5-2 aggregate win. This victory sees the team advance to the next stage, which will be hosted at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, in March.

The initial phase of the match saw the U.S. team take a commanding lead, with goals from Christian Pulisic and Ricardo Pepi, both contributing significantly to the aggregate score. Pulisic’s performance was particularly noteworthy as he scored twice, including a curled effort that took a deflection, increasing his career goal contributions for the national team to 51, matching Eric Wynalda’s record.

Tim Weah, who had been absent from the team since receiving a red card during the Copa America, marked his return with a remarkable volley in the second half. His contribution helped the U.S. restore their three-goal advantage after Jamaica had pulled a goal back.

«We came out really hot,» Pulisic said in a post-match interview. «We should definitely feel good after these results. We’re learning a lot with the new coach, and it seems to be coming together.» His comments reflect the team’s adjustment to the strategies of newly appointed head coach Mauricio Pochettino, who replaced Gregg Berhalter.

Mauricio Pochettino, who is at the helm for his first competitive matches with the USMNT, expressed contentment with the team’s progress. «My advice is to look after yourself. We need to be stronger in March,» he noted, underscoring the importance of unity and improvement as the team builds towards future competitions, particularly the 2026 World Cup.

The match was also attended by former USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter, who was reportedly watching from the stands. Under Berhalter, the team experienced discipline and cohesion issues, as evidenced by the disappointing performance in the Copa America.

The victory assures the U.S. of participation in the upcoming 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup, while Jamaica will have to secure its spot through qualifying matches. Jamaica’s Gray scored a late goal, adding a consolation but failing to change the outcome of the match.

The fixture’s setting, CityPark in St. Louis, saw an attendance of over 21,000, contributing to an enthusiastic atmosphere despite the match’s decisive result. The US team now looks ahead to their semifinal clash and continues their preparations for the World Cup.