In the final two minutes of regulation the U.S. defense went to sleep on a free kick that allowed Jamaica to wipe out a sure U.S. win and tie the game at 1-1. The U.S. Men’s National Team then rallied for a stoppage time goal to secure a 2-1 road win, earning the Americans three important World Cup qualifying points
Defender Brad Evans scored his first National Team goal in dramatic fashion with a slick finish in extra time for the USA’s first-ever quaifying win against the Reggae Boyz at National Stadium.
U.S. forward Jozy Altidore tallied the first goal in the 30th minute, powering home a header off a Graham Zusi cross from the right wing. The first half strike seemed like it would be enough for the victory until Jermaine Beckford darted free behind the USA’s restraining line to head home an 89th minute free kick from six yards out.
With four minutes of stoppage time added, the Americans went for the win. The goal originated from a corner kick after Jamaica goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts’ sprawling dive could not keep a headed back pass from rolling over the end line.
From the left side, Michael Bradley played the corner short to Zusi and then received the ball back. Bradley beat Alvas Powell with a quick move, sweeping the ball toward the end line just outside the penalty area before rolling a short cross to the unmarked Evans, who had his back to the goal.
The USA’s unlikely hero collected, spun toward the net and while falling backwards struck a right-footed shot from a few yards outside the left corner of the six-yard box into the far post side-netting. It seemed as if the ball took a slight deflection off Daniel Gordon, which left Ricketts without a chance and the stunned Jamaicans did not have an answer for the remainder of stoppage time.
U.S. head coach Jurgen Klinsmann started the same 11 players he sent out against Germany in a 4-3 victory on June 2 during the Centennial Celebration match in Washington, D.C., and the critical three points earned on the road put the USA into second place in the Hexagonal with two home World Cup Qualifying matches to come during the next 11 days.
The U.S. next faces Panama at CenturyLink Field in Seattle on June 11 (6:30 p.m. PT on ESPN, WatchESPN and UniMas) and then Honduras in Sandy, Utah, on June 18 (7 p.m. MT on ESPN, WatchESPN and UniMas).
The USA broke through in the first half with a nice piece of flank dribbling from Zusi, who beat O’Brian Woodbine with a nifty move before sending a perfect service into the middle for Altidore. The forward knifed between two defenders and pounded his six-yard header past a stranded Ricketts.
It was Altidore’s second goal in as many games and his seventh-career goal in World Cup qualifying. Altidore was also the beneficiary of a superb cross from Zusi on the first goal of the USA’s 4-3 victory against Germany on June 2.
In the 56th minute, Jermaine Jones, who was performing his usual workingman tasks in the central midfield, took a knock to the head in a collision with Daniel Gordon as both battled for a cross. Jones left the game and was replaced by Geoff Cameron, who helped the USA battle out the final 30-plus minutes.
Additional Notes:
- The USA picked up two yellow cards in the match, both in the final stages, as Graham Zusi was cautioned in the 88th minute and Brad Evans received a caution for his goal celebration. Zusi’s card was his second in this World Cup qualifying campaign and he will be suspended for the USA’s next match.
- Jozy Altidore’s goal was his first in World Cup Qualifying since Sept. 5, 2009, when he scored against El Salvador at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah.
- Game-winning goal scorer Brad Evans made just his third-career start at right back in just his eighth game for the USA.
- Omar Gonzalez and Matt Besler have now been paired together three times in central defense, and the USA is unbeaten in those matches with two wins and a tie.
- With seven goals in this World Cup Qualifying cycle, Clint Dempsey is tied with Landon Donovan for the all-time lead in U.S. history with 12 overall. Dempsey is the only player to appear in all nine matches of this cycle.
- U.S. head coach Jurgen Klinsmann made all three of his allowed substitutions, also sending Edgar Castillo for Fabian Johnson in the 56th minute and Eddie Johnson for Jozy Altidore in the 83rd minute.
- Seven players are now carrying yellow cards into the next World Cup qualifiers: DaMarcus Beasley, Michael Bradley, Matt Besler, Brad Davis, Clint Dempsey, Brad Evans and Fabian Johnson. Their next caution will result in a one-match suspension.
-U.S. Men’s National Team Match Report-
Match: U.S. Men’s National Team vs. Jamaica
Date: June 7, 2013
Competition: FIFA World Cup 2014 Qualifying
Venue: National Stadium; Kingston, Jamaica
Kickoff: 9:30 p.m. ET
Attendance: TBD
Weather: 88 degrees, cloudy
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
USA 1 1 2
JAM 0 1 1
USA – Jozy Altidore (Graham Zusi) 30th minute
JAM – Jermaine Beckford (Rodolph Austin) 89
USA – Brad Evans (Michael Bradley) 90+2
Lineups:
USA: 1-Tim Howard; 6-Brad Evans 3-Omar Gonzalez, 5-Matt Besler, 7-DaMarcus Beasley; 13-Jermaine Jones (20-Geoff Cameron, 59), 4-Michael Bradley; 19-Graham Zusi, 8-Clint Dempsey (capt.), 23-Fabian Johnson (2-Edgar Castillo, 76); 17-Jozy Altidore (18-Eddie Johnson, 83)
Substitutions Not Used: 12-Brad Guzan, 9-Terrence Boyd , 10-Joe Corona, 11-Stuart Holden, 14- Brad Davis, 15-Michael Parkhurst, 16-Sacha Kljestan, 22-Clarence Goodson
Head coach: Jurgen Klinsmann
JAM: 1-Donovan Ricketts (capt.); 2-Daniel Gordon, 19-Adrian Mariappa, 5-Alvas Powell, 3-O’Brian Woodbine; 4-Marvin Elliott, 17-Rodolph Austin, 18-Jermaine Hue (7-Jermaine Beckford, 70), 22-Garath McCleary (16-Omar Daley, 75); 8-Jermaine Johnson (14-Theo Robinson, 68), 9-Ryan Johnson
Substitutions Not Used : 23-Andre Blake, 13-Dwayne Miller, 6-Montrose Phinn, 10-Keammar Daley, 11-Darren Mattocks, 12-Evan Taylor, 15-Je-Vaughn Watson, 20-Jeremie Lynch, 21- Damien Williams
Head coach: Theodore Whitmore
Stats Summary: USA / JAM
Shots: 9 / 12
Shots on Goal: 4 / 3
Saves: 2 / 2
Corner Kicks: 6 / 6
Fouls: 8 / 10
Offside: 5 / 1
Misconduct Summary:
USA – Graham Zusi (caution) 88th minute
USA – Brad Evans (caution) 90+2