LOS ANGELES, NOV 19 – Christian Pulisic scored twice as the United States beat Jamaica 4-2 to book a place in the semi-finals of the CONCACAF Nations League yesterday.
The AC Milan star put on a dazzling performance at Citypark St. Louis to hand Mauricio Pochettino’s side a comfortable 5-2 aggregate victory following their 1-0 first leg victory in Kingston last time out.
Rising United States striker Ricardo Pepi also scored another goal in last week’s match, joined by Juventus winger Tim Weah.
Demarai Gray scored twice in the second half as a consolation for the Reggae Boyz.
Pulisic opened the scoring for the home side in the 13th minute, receiving a high pass from Weston McKennie on the edge of the area and firing low past Jamaican goalkeeper Andre Blake.
The AC Milan striker then doubled the US lead in the 33rd minute after a smooth counter-attack.
McKennie attacked from the right wing, before passing to Tanner Tessmann in the middle who pretended to let the pass roll to Pulisic.
Pulisic’s venomous low kick hit Jamaican defender Richard King and past Blake again for 2-0.
Pepi then added the home team’s third goal three minutes before half-time.
Good movement from Fulham and US defender Antonee Robinson allowed Pepi to collect the ball from the edge of the area, and the PSV Eindhoven striker had enough power to blast low past Blake to make it 3-0.
There was some hope for Jamaica when Gray headed home an angled volley to make it 3-1 in the 53rd minute, but Weah sealed the deal seconds later with America’s fourth goal.
Gray headed home Jamaica’s second goal after pouncing on the rebound from Renaldo Cephas’ attempt but it was too late for former England manager Steve McClaren’s side to catch up with the USA. – AFP
