WASHINTON, D.C. (June 5, 2019) – The U.S. Men’s National Team dropped a 1-0 result to Jamaica in Washington, D.C. in its first visit to Audi Field in the nation’s capital.
The USMNT began with a strong opening 10 minutes in which they created their best opportunity of the half when Paul Arriola got around the corner of the Jamaica defense and served in a dangerous cross that Josh Sargent got his head on, but the ball skirted just wide of the back left post.
At the other end, goalkeeper Zack Steffen recovered from an early slip to make a pair of saves and cut out some probing crosses in a solid display that helped steady the U.S. defense when Jamaica’s speed unsettled the back line.
Steffen continued his impressive play early in the second half, making a strong save to deny a transition opportunity for the visitors. However, there was nothing the Europe-bound ‘keeper could do on the hour mark when Shamar Nicholson created space for himself near the top right corner of the U.S. penalty area before arching a powerful drive across the goal frame and into the top left corner for what proved the deciding goal.
After head coach Gregg Berhalter began using his substitutions on the night, the USMNT found better offensive footing as the introduction of wingers Jonathan Amon and Joe Gyau as well as central midfielder Duane Holmes, making his international debut, added speedy legs out wide and some sand paper in the middle of the pitch. The fresh faces helped create a flurry of opportunities around the 75-minute mark, the best of which fell to Sargent, but his shot from the right side of the box skewed wide.
Sargent was stifled a final time in the waning moments of the match when he corralled a long-range shot and put one of his own on target, but Jamaica goalkeeper Andre Blake got a hand down just in time to turn the ball outside the right post and preserve the 1-0 result for the visitors.
The USA’s official roster for the 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup will be announced Thursday morning before the USMNT continues its march toward the regional crown against Venezuela on Sunday, June 9 at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. ET with FOX and UniMas broadcasting the match.
JAM – Shamar Nicholson (Kevon Lambert), 60th minute: After collecting a mis-played pass by the U.S., Jamaica’s Kevon Lambert slipped the ball out wide to Nicholson, who drove toward the U.S. goal. He cut inside, then out to create space for himself near the top right corner of the USA penalty area before cracking a drive across the box into the top left corner. USA 0, JAM 1 [WATCH] FINAL
The final 23-player roster for the 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup is due by midnight tonight.
The USMNT moves to 3-1-1 under Gregg Berhalter, outscoring opponents 7-2 during five matches.
In 26 all-time matches, the USA leads Jamaica by a 15-3-8 mark. The U.S. holds a 12-2-3 advantage on home soil.
With the start tonight, Budweiser Man of the Match and veteran defender Omar Gonzalez became the 54th USMNT player to reach 50 caps.
Jackson Yueill and substitute Duane Holmes earned their international debuts.
Five more players earned their first caps of 2019: Josh Sargent, Antonee Robinson, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Joe Gyau and Jonathan Amon.
A native of Silver Spring, Md., substitute winger Joe Gyau made his first USMNT appearance since 2014 tonight.
Having celebrated his 24th birthday earlier this week, Cristian Roldan earned his 10th MNT appearance. The midfielder debuted for the USA almost two years ago in a 3-2 win against Martinique during the Concacaf Gold Cup group stage on July 12 in Tampa.
Defender Matt Miazga captained the team for the first time tonight.
Match: U.S. Men’s National Team vs. Jamaica
Date: June 5, 2019
Competition: International Friendly
Venue: Audi Field; Washington, D.C.
Attendance: 17,719
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
Weather: 80 degrees; cloudy
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
USA 0 0 0
JAM 0 1 1
JAM – Shamar Nicholson (Kevon Lambert) 60th minute
Lineups:
USA: 12-Zack Steffen; 4-Matt Miazga (capt.) (17-Cameron Carter-Vickers, 67), 3-Omar Gonzalez, 13-Tim Ream (2-Nick Lima, 59); 7-Paul Arriola (11-Joe Gyau, 67), 6-Wil Trapp, 8-Jackson Yueill (24-Jonathan Amon, 59), 5-Antonee Robinson (16-Daniel Lovitz, 80); 10-Cristian Roldan (23-Duane Holmes, 66), 14-Djordje Mihailovic; 19-Josh Sargent
Substitutes not used: 12-Sean Johnson, 22-Tyler Miller, 25-Walker Zimmerman
Head coach: Gregg Berhalter
JAM: 1-Andre Blake, 17-Damion Lowe, 14-Shaun Francis, 20-Kemar Lawrence, 5-Alvas Powell, 21-Kevon Lambert (22-Devon Williams, 64), 8, Maalique Foster (11-Shamar Nicholson, 55), 3-Michael Hector (4-Andre Lewis, 51), 16-Peter Vassell (19-Tyreek Magee, 77), 18-Brian Brown (12-Alex Marshall, 64), 6-Dever Orgill (10-Darren Mattocks, 85)
Substitutes not used: 13-Dwayne Miller, 23-Amal Knight, 15-Jevauhn Watson, 2-Jamoi Topey, 7-Leon Bailey, 9-Ricardo Morris, 25-Ivan Morales
Head coach: Theodore Whitmore
Stats Summary: USA / JAM
Shots: 5 / 13
Shots on Goal: 1 / 5
Saves: 4 / 1
Corner Kicks: 4 / 2
Fouls: 9 / 11
Offside: 1 / 0
Misconduct Summary:
None
Officials:
Referee: Kimbell Ward (SKN)
Assistant Referee 1: Mario Parry (SKN)
Assistant Referee 2: Ike Inniss (SKN)
4th Official: Tristley Bassue (SKN)
Budweiser Man of the Match: Omar Gonzalez
