United States Men’s National Team forward Christian Pulisic scored the first goal in a win over Nations League quarterfinal against Jamaica on Monday in St. Louis. Photo by Dustin Safranek/EPA-EFE
Christian Pulisic booted in a left-footed half-volley to spark a 4-2 victory over Jamaica, leading the United States Men’s National Team into the 2024-25 Concacaf Nations League semifinals.
Ricardo Pepi and Timothy Weah also scored for the Americans on Monday at CityPark in St. Louis. The United States made its other score off an own goal from defender Di’Shon Bernard, who deflected a Pulisic shot into the Jamaican net. Advertisement
“We should definitely feel good after these results,” Pulisic said on the TNT Sports broadcast. “Obviously, we are learning a lot of new things.
“With a new coach, some things have changed. I think it connected well. Hopefully, we can continue to improve.”
The Americans outshot the Jamaicans 16-9. They put seven shots on target. Pulisic drew first blood in the 13th minute. Midfielder Weston McKennie assisted that score.
McKennie received a feed just past midfield during the sequence. He then dribbled up the right flank and chipped a ball toward the box. Pulisic ran toward the ball, watched in bounce once and used his left boot for a one-touch shot into the right side of the net. Advertisement
McKennie found Pulisic again for the Americans’ second score, which was ruled an own goal. McKennie first dribbled toward the right end line before leaving a pass back for Pulisic in the box.
Pulisic hit that one-touch attempt with his right boot. The shot curled toward the right post before Bernard got a foot on it, deflecting the shot into the other side of the net in the 33rd minute.
Left back Antonee Robinson assisted Pepi for a third American goal in the 42nd minute. The United States kept that 3-0 lead through halftime.
Winger Demarai Gray scored Jamaica’s first goal in the 53rd minute. Winger Yunus Musah assisted Weah for the Americans’ final goal in the 56th minute.
Gray found the net for his second goal, and the final score of the match, in the 68th minute.
The U.S. men will host a to-be-determined team in a Nations League semifinal March 20 in Inglewood Calif. Their win over Jamaica also clinched a spot for the Americans in the 2025 Gold Cup.
