USA Advances to the Gold Cup Finals, Beat Jamaica, 3-1

The United States men’s national team cruised past Jamaica to reach the Gold Cup finals. Gregg Berhalter’s boys won last night’s clash with 3-1 and set up another contest with their biggest opponents, Mexico.

Weston McKennie with one and Christian Pulisic with two goals led their team, totally redeeming for a lousy episode against Curacao. The Americans were looking very well on the pitch of Nissan Stadium in Nashville, despite the fact that the game had to be interrupted due to massive lightning.

“It’s part of soccer, and the guys dealt with it in a really good way,” coach Berhalter stated after the match.

The US team reached an early lead through McKennie, who managed to beat Jamaica’s goalkeeper Andre Blake after just nine minutes of play.

Philadelphia Union’s goalie already saved his team by denying Paul Arriola’s effort earlier, but in this case, he had no chances of preventing a goal.

A few minutes after the opening goal, the match had to be stopped. The weather in Nashville was terrifying, which forced organizers to pull both teams off the pitch. The delay lasted for an hour and a half, and many believed that the pause might suit better for the Jamaicans than the USA. But when the game resumed, Berhalter’s guys continued in the same manner.

“We were just trying to stay warm and get ready to come back out,” said Jordan Morris about the delay.

Nothing happened until the end of the first half, but as soon as the second started, the US team was all over the place again. It took just seven minutes into that part of the event for the Americans to score. The biggest talent of the US soccer, Christian Pulisic reacted very well after Blake saved Morris’ shot, and calmly executed on a rebound from a nearby.

Reggae Boyz cut the deficit in the 69th minute, through Shamar Nicholson. This guy netted in the latest head-to-head meeting of these two sides when the USA lost. But the Jamaicans couldn’t avoid a defeat this time, as Pulisic once again netted.

He followed the action perfectly, beating Blake on a rebound again.

“They put us under some pressure,” said Chelsea’s midfielder following the game. ” It was a tough game, but in the end, we defended well enough, and we got the goals we needed.”

The United States will face Mexico in the finals this Sunday at the Soldier Field in Chicago. Throughout the game against Jamaica, the fans were cheering “We want Mexico,” and their wish came true.

"Fans want Mexico, I want Mexico and the team wants Mexico." 💪😤@WMckennie opens up on the highly-anticipated #GoldCup2019 final everyone was hoping for 🇺🇸🇲🇽 pic.twitter.com/UGSY48RXCX

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 4, 2019

After 8 years these two sides will meet in the Gold Cup finals. El Tri eliminated Haiti in their semifinal match this Tuesday, after a tough and hard battle. Raul Jimenez scored the only goal of the game, converting a penalty in the third minute of the first extra time.

The last Gold Cup finals between team USA and Mexico took place at Rose Bowl in 2011. The hosts had a 2-0 lead, before Mexico knocked them out with four straight hits, for a 4-2 win and a trophy. This is a chance for the Yankees to get even.

“These are the games I look forward the most,” Pulisic said when asked about the finals. “Mexico and the USA, the final at the Gold Cup, there is not much better, so it’s what I dream about.”

The kick-off is at 9pm ET.