U.S. Loses Qualifier In Jamaica, 2-1

KINGSTON, Jamaica (Sept. 7, 2012) – The U.S. Men’s National Team fell to Jamaica 2-1 on Friday at National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica, in Group A of the Semifinal Round of 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying.

Clint Dempsey scored the game’s first goal in 36 seconds for the fastest World Cup qualifying goal in MNT history, but Jamaica rallied with back-to-back set piece goals.

Jamaica took sole possession of first place in the group with a 2-0-1 record and seven points, while the USA fell to 1-1-1 with four points. The U.S. has never won a World Cup qualifier match in Jamaica, posting four draws in the previous four meetings.

The U.S. and Jamaica resume FIFA World Cup qualifying when they meet at 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Sept. 11, at a sold-out Columbus Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. The match will be broadcast live on ESPN2, ESPN3 and Galavision.

The buildup to the USA’s early goal started with Maurice Edu slipping a pass into the right side of the penalty area for forward Herculez Gomez who attacked down the right, cut to the left against his defender and took a shot that was saved by Jamaican goalkeeper Dwayne Miller. The ball deflected back to Gomez, who took a second shot, this time with his left foot, but defender Nyron Nosworthy fell to his knees to block the shot with his chest. The rebound fell a couple feet above the goal box and Dempsey slotted the ball home with his left for an early 1-0 lead.

Dempsey’s goal was his eighth career in World Cup qualifying, tying him for fourth in MNT history with Eddie Johnson. Dempsey also has scored in three straight qualifying matches, including the lone USA goal during the 1-1 draw against Guatemala on June 12 and a goal during the team’s 3-1 win against Antigua & Barbuda on June 8.

Jamaica responded to the USA’s opening goal, capitalizing on a free kick opportunity following a foul by U.S. midfielder Kyle Beckerman near the top of the box. Jamaica’s Randolph Austin struck a low shot that barely left the ground, but deflected off of Beckerman’s right foot in the wall and found the back of the net to tie the score at 1-1 in the 23rd minute.

Jamaica found the game-winner on another free kick. After an Edu foul, Shelton hit a curling right-footed shot over the USA wall, past an outstretched Howard, and off the left post before finding its way into the net.

The U.S. had a bit of a scare when goalkeeper Tim Howard was down on the ground just outside of the box in the 53rd minute after colliding with speedy Jamaica forward Luton Shelton. Shelton had a couple of steps against the USA defense in pursuit of the ball and Howard made a dash to clear. In the process, Howard took a knock to his right leg but was able to walk off the injury and play the remainder of the match.

Additional Notes:

• Clint Dempsey scored his fourth goal of the year and 28th of his international career. He ranks fourth on the USA’s all-time list, just two behind third-place Brian McBride who scored 30 goals in 95 games.
• Dempsey’s quick strike beat the previous mark he set in a World Cup Qualifier when he needed only 53 seconds to notch the first goal of an 8-0 rout of Barbados in 2008 during qualifying for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
• U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard wore the captain’s armband for a second straight game. Howard was the captain during the team’s historic 1-0 win against Mexico on Aug. 15 as the USA posted its first victory at Estadio Azteca.
• The U.S. is now 6-2-2 this year, with the only other defeat coming against Brazil on May 30.
• U.S. midfielder Danny Williams made his third appearance of the year (first off the bench) when he replaced Kyle Beckerman in the 58th minute, playing his first match in an official competition with the United States.

– U.S. Men’s National Team Game Report –

Match: USA vs. Jamaica
Date: Sept. 7, 2012
Competition: 2014 World Cup Qualifier; Group A
Venue: National Stadium; Kingston, Jamaica
Kickoff: 7 p.m. CT
Attendance: TBD
Weather: 81 degrees, light rain

Scoring Summary: 1 2 F

USA 1 0 1
JAM 1 1 2

USA – Clint Dempsey 1st minute
JAM – Rodolph Austin 23
JAM – Luton Shelton 62

Lineups:

USA : 1-Tim Howard (capt.); 15-Michael Parkhurst, 21-Clarence Goodson, 20-Geoff Cameron, 23-Fabian Johnson; 13-Jermaine Jones, 5-Kyle Beckerman (14-Danny Williams, 72), 7-Maurice Edu (11-Brek Shea, 72); 8-Clint Dempsey, 17-Jozy Altidore (18-Terrence Boyd, 72), 9-Herculez Gomez
Subs not used: 2-Jonathan Spector, 3-Carlos Bocanegra, 4-Michael Orozco Fiscal, 12-Brad Guzan, 16-Jose Torres, 19-Graham Zusi
Head Coach: Jurgen Klinsmann

JAM : 13-Dwayne Miller; 19-Arian Mariappa, 2-Nyron Nosworthy, 14-Lovel Palmer; 15-Je-Vaughn Watson, 17-Rodolph Austin, 7-Jason Morrison, 6-Jermaine Taylor (capt.); 21-Luton Shelton (8-Joel Senior, 83); 18-Kavin Bryan (5-Darren Mattocks, 63), 9-Ryan Johnson (10-Omar Cummings, 90+1)
Subs not used: 1-Duwayne Kerr, 23-Jacomeno Barrett, 4-Shavar Thomas, 3-Dicoy Williams, 12-Andrae Williams, 16-O’Brian Woodbine, 22-Ewan Grandison, 11-Dane Richards, 20-Tremaine Stewart
Head coach: Theodore Whitmore

Stats Summary: USA / JAM

Shots: 7 / 9
Shots on Goal: 2 / 4
Saves: 2 / 1
Corner Kicks: 1 / 3
Fouls: 12 / 14
Offside: 0 / 4

Misconduct Summary:

JAM – Je-Vaughn Watson (caution) 76th minute
USA – Jermaine Jones (caution) 78

Budweiser Man of the Match: Clint Dempsey