In a dazzling display of attacking football, Mauricio Pochettino’s United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) secured a 4-2 victory over Jamaica on Monday in St. Louis, sealing their place in the 2024-25 Concacaf Nations League semifinals with a 5-2 aggregate win. A commanding first-half performance, highlighted by goals from Christian Pulisic and Ricardo Pepi, ensured the Americans cruised past their Caribbean opponents.
The USMNT wasted no time asserting control at CityPark. Timothy Weah, returning to the lineup for the first time since his red card at the Copa America, nearly opened the scoring in the early minutes. His thunderous shot rattled the post, signaling the intensity to come.
Minutes later, Weah’s near-miss was forgotten as Pulisic broke the deadlock. Weston McKennie delivered a perfectly weighted cross into the box, and Pulisic, with expert timing, volleyed it past Jamaican goalkeeper Andre Blake. The goal was followed by a celebratory dance that sparked social media chatter due to its association with newly elected U.S. President Donald Trump.
Pulisic doubled the lead with his second goal, a curled effort from outside the box that deflected off a defender and left Blake stranded. The brace put Pulisic at 51 career goal contributions for the U.S., tying him with Eric Wynalda for fourth place in team history.
Ricardo Pepi added the third goal just before halftime, finishing off a flowing team move with a composed strike. The U.S. entered the break with a commanding 3-0 lead, effectively ending the series after their 1-0 first-leg win in Kingston.
Jamaica showed resilience in the second half. Demarai Gray pulled one back for the visitors early, slotting home after a lapse in the U.S. defense. However, Weah quickly quashed any hopes of a Jamaican comeback with a spectacular volley. The winger’s dipping shot from the edge of the box soared over Blake and tucked into the net, restoring the U.S.’s three-goal cushion.
Gray added a second for Jamaica late in the match, but it served only as a consolation.
The victory sees the U.S. advance to the Nations League semifinals, set for March at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. As three-time winners of the competition, the USMNT remains a favorite to lift the trophy again. Additionally, the win secures the U.S. a berth in the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup, while Jamaica will need to navigate a qualifying round.
Manager Mauricio Pochettino praised his team’s intensity and execution. “We came out with the right mindset, and the first-half performance was among the best we’ve had. The chemistry in this group is growing, and we’re excited for what lies ahead,” he said.
As the USMNT looks to build on their recent success, Monday’s emphatic win serves as a statement to the rest of the region: the United States remains a force to be reckoned with in Concacaf.
