Thursday’s CONCACAF Nations League semifinal didn’t start the way the U.S. men’s national team would’ve liked, but it certainly ended on a much more relieving note for Gregg Berhalter and his players.
Haji Wright scored twice and Gio Reyna registered two assists in extra time as the USMNT defeated Jamaica 3-1 at AT&T Stadium. A Cory Burke own goal in second-half stoppage time helped the Americans erase Gregory Leigh’s opening goal to force extra time.
Jamaica needed only 42 seconds to grab a shock 1-0 lead with Antonee Robinson and Joe Scally both at fault for the opening goal.
Robinson’s poor defending allowed Fulham teammate Bobby Decordova-Reid to sneak past him on the right wing. Reid’s cross was not dealt with by Scally, allowing Leigh to arrive at the back post and head into the roof of the USMNT net.
It marked Leigh’s first senior international goal for the Reggae Boyz.
Timothy Weah and Christian Pulisic had the best offensive chances for the USMNT later in the half, but the Americans went into the interval down by one goal. Weah’s shot missed just wide of the left post while Pulisic’s stoppage-time effort was gathered by Andre Blake.
Gio Reyna entered the match after halftime and almost made an immediate impact. Reyna’s final-third passing opened chances for both Malik Tillman and Pulisic, but the USMNT weren’t able to capitalize.
Jamaica had a golden opportunity to double its lead after a lack of communication between Chris Richards and Matt Turner. Ronaldo Cephus stole possession from Richards and raced away on a breakaway but his shot was easily gathered by Turner.
Haji Wright, Ricardo Pepi, Brenden Aaronson and Tyler Adams all came on for the USMNT after the hour mark, trying to provide a key spark for Gregg Berhalter’s squad. However, Jamaica’s defense continued to stand firm until second-half stoppage time.
The USMNT’s final corner kick of regulation proved to be the decisive moment for them as Miles Robinson’s header was deflected into the back of the net by Reggae Boyz defender Cory Burke.
Both Reyna and Wright came on as second-half substitutes and connected in the first period of extra time to boost the Americans in front 2-1. Reyna’s cutting pass allowed Wright to drill a low shot into the bottom-right corner
It marked Wright’s first USMNT goal since the 2022 FIFA World Cup and Reyna’s first international assist since November 2023.
The pair would later extend the Americans lead to 3-1 in the second extra time period. Reyna’s flick on pass in the box was controlled by Wright before the forward spun and curled a right-footed shot past Andre Blake.
The USMNT would hang on to book its spot in Sunday’s Nations League Final against either Mexico or Panama.
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