USMNT 1 – Jamaica 2

The USMNT will wait for a playoff to see who represents CONCACAF at the 2017 Confederations Cup after losing to Jamaica in the semifinals of the 2015 Gold Cup. Jamaica took a 2-0 first-half lead at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, holding on for the 2-1 win.

Darren Mattocks scored for Jamaica in the 31st minute with his shot hitting both posts before crossing the line. Giles Barnes doubled the lead five minutes later from a free kick Jamaica won after USMNT goalkeeper handled the ball outside of the box.

It didn’t take long for the USMNT to respond after halftime. Aron Johannsson had a run at goal forcing a rebound that made its way to Michael Bradley for the 48th minute goal. Though the USMNT controlled possession and had several opportunities in the second-half, they couldn’t come up with the equalizer.

“Obviously the team is disappointed, the fans are disappointed because you wanted to play the big final on Sunday in Philadelphia,” USMNT coach Jurgen Klinsmann said. “It was a very, very good performance. I really told them at halftime as well, ‘Just keep playing like that, you’re going to get opportunities and sooner or later you’re going to put them in the net and we’re going to turn this game around.’ We lost this game with two set pieces that we conceded. It’s as simple as that. We had enough chances to put three, four, five in there. We didn’t do that, and that’s why at the end of the day we lost it. That’s unfortunate, but it’s reality. Congratulations to Jamaica being in the final, and we have to swallow that pill.”

In the other semifinal, Mexico beat Panama 2-1 in extra time. Jamaica plays Panama in Sunday’s final at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. The USMNT plays Panama on Saturday at PPL Park in Chester (4pm ET – Fox Sports 2).

The USMNT losing in the semifinals means that CONCACAF’s Confederations Cup playoff game between the 2013 and 2015 Gold Cup winners will happen. That game is set for October 9 in the United States. Media reports have the Rose Bowl as the likely venue should Mexico win the 2015 Gold Cup.

— GAME REPORT —

Match:  U.S. Men’s National Team vs. Jamaica
Date:  July 22, 2015
Competition:  2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup; Semifinals
Venue:  Georgia Dome; Atlanta, Georgia
Kickoff: 6 p.m. ET
Attendance:  TBA
Weather:  indoor

Scoring Summary:   1          2          F
USA                            0          1          1
JAM                            2          0          2

JAM – Darren Mattocks (Kemar Lawrence)              31st minute
JAM – Giles Barnes                                               36
USA – Michael Bradley                                           48

Lineups:
USA: 1-Brad Guzan; 16-Brad Evans, 6-John Brooks, 13-Ventura Alvarado, 23-Fabian Johnson; 5-Kyle Beckerman (10-Mix Diskerud,67) , 4-Michael Bradley (capt.), 20-Gyasi Zardes, 8-Clint Dempsey, 11-Alejandro Bedoya (2-DeAndre Yedlin, 78); 9-Aron Johannsson (26-Alan Gordon, 73)
Subs Not Used : 12-Nick Rimando, 22-William Yarbrough; 3-Omar Gonzalez, 15-Tim Ream, 18-Chris Wondolowski, 19-Graham Zusi, 21-Timmy Chandler, 24-Joe Corona, 25-DaMarcus Beasley
Head Coach: Jurgen Klinsmann

JAM: 23-Ryan Thompson; 19-Adrian Mariappa, 4-Wes Morgan, 3-Michael Hector, 20-Kemar Lawrence; 22-Garath McCleary, 17-Rodolph Austin (capt.), 10-Jobi McAnuff, 15-Je Vaughn Watson; 9-Giles Barnes (2-Christopher Humphrey, 85), 11-Darren Mattocks (18-Simon Dawkins, 57)
Sub Not Used: 1-Andre Blake, 6-Lance Laing, 7-Andre Clennon, 8-Michael Seaton, 13-Dwayne Miller, 14-Allan Ottey, 16-Joel Grant, 24-Omar Holness, 25-Sean McFarlane
Head coach: Winfried Schäfer

Stats Summary: USA / JAM
Shots: 21 / 10
Shots on Goal: 10 / 3
Saves: 1 / 9
Corner Kicks: 11 / 8
Fouls: 13 / 10
Offside: 1 / 4

Misconduct Summary:
USA – Kyle Beckerman (caution)      31st minute
JAM – Garath McCleary                    45+1
USA – DeAndre Yedlin                       88

Officials:
Referee: Ricardo Montero (CRC)
Assistant Referee 1: Octavio Jara (CRC)
Assistant Referee 2: Warner Castro (CRC)
4th Official: Henry Bejarano (CRC)