USMNT/ Christian Pulisic/ Nations League/ Jamaica vs US/ Tim Weah goal/ Newslooks/ ST. LOUIS/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Christian Pulisic’s two goals and Tim Weah’s return bolstered the U.S. Men’s National Team’s 4-2 win over Jamaica, securing a 5-2 aggregate victory in the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinals. Coach Mauricio Pochettino praised the team but emphasized the need for continued improvement ahead of the semifinals in March.
USMNT Cruises Past Jamaica to Reach Nations League Semifinals
Key Points:
- Christian Pulisic Shines:
- Scored two first-half goals to boost his international tally to 33.
- Displayed his knack for decisive plays, with key contributions from Weston McKennie.
- Tim Weah Returns:
- Marked his comeback from suspension with a second-half goal to secure the win.
- Dominance in Play:
- The U.S. controlled 68% of possession and outshot Jamaica 16-9.
- Ricardo Pepi added a stunning goal from outside the box, his 13th international strike.
- Jamaica’s Resistance:
- Demarai Gray scored twice for the Reggae Boyz, showing their resilience.
- Jamaica now faces additional qualifiers for the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
- Pochettino’s Vision:
- The new coach stressed building team cohesion for the 2026 World Cup, emphasizing teamwork and consistency.
Pulisic Leads US to 4-2 Victory Over Jamaica in Nations League QF
Deep Look: US Beats Jamaica to Secure Nations League Semifinal Spot
Pulisic and McKennie Lead the Charge
Christian Pulisic delivered another masterful performance, scoring twice in the first half to set the tone for the U.S. victory. His first goal came in the 13th minute, a clinical one-timer off a perfect lofted pass from Weston McKennie. His second, in the 33rd minute, benefitted from a clever dummy by Tanner Tessmann and deflected in off Jamaica’s Di’Shon Bernard.
Pulisic’s contributions underscore his importance as the team’s creative linchpin. “We came out really hot,” he said post-match. “We should definitely feel good after these results.”
Tim Weah Makes an Impact
Returning from a two-game suspension, Tim Weah proved instrumental, adding the U.S.’s fourth goal in the 56th minute with a powerful strike under the crossbar. It was a statement of intent for Weah, who filled in for injured midfielder Johnny Cardoso.
“Building our way up for the World Cup at home, that’s the main goal,” Weah remarked. “I think we’re on the right track.”
Jamaica Shows Resilience
Demarai Gray kept Jamaica in the match with a brace, including a sharp rebound in the 68th minute. Despite their spirited efforts, the Reggae Boyz struggled to contain the U.S.’s attacking firepower.
Jamaica coach Steve McLaren revealed a bizarre hiccup: star forward Michail Antonio was unavailable after misplacing his passport, leaving Jamaica’s attack shorthanded.
A Promising Path Under Pochettino
Since taking over from Gregg Berhalter, Mauricio Pochettino has focused on unifying the team and introducing tactical refinements. With just six camps left before the 2026 World Cup roster is finalized, the team is progressing steadily under his leadership.
“My advice is to look after yourself,” Pochettino said post-match. “We need to be stronger in March… and fight for something special.”
What’s Next for the USMNT
The U.S. advances to the CONCACAF Nations League semifinals, set for March 20 in Inglewood, California. They’ve also secured a spot in the 2025 Gold Cup.
Before that, the team will play a friendly against Venezuela on January 18, though Europe-based players will be unavailable due to the non-FIFA match date.
