ARLINGTON, Texas – The United States scored a goal in the final seconds of regulation and then a Haj-Wright double in overtime to beat Jamaica 3-1 in the semifinals of the 2023-24 CONCACAF Nations League Finals on Thursday night at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
The Reggae Boyz were on the verge of securing a place in Sunday's final, but an own goal in second-half stoppage time led to extra time, where the defending champions prevailed with two goals from substitute Wright.
Jamaica could not have asked for a better start as they took a 1-0 lead after just 31 seconds when Bobby Reid crossed into the USA penalty area and Gregory Lee rose high into the air to head home a header. For 1-0. This was the fastest goal scored in CNL Finals history.
The United States attempted to respond, but found it very difficult to penetrate the Jamaican defense. The first clear scoring opportunity came in the 21st minute from a counterattack led by Folarin Balogun, who passed to Christian Pulisic, but the shot was blocked.
The Reggae Boyz were too comfortable absorbing pressure from the USA, whose only other chance before half-time was a deflected shot from Malik Tillman.
The USA looked to equalize early in the second half, but it was Jamaica who nearly scored the second goal on two separate occasions when US goalkeeper Matt Turner denied Reynaldo Cevas and Casey Palmer then fired over the bar with Turner out of position.
The final twenty minutes saw Jamaica defend strongly, denying the United States every opportunity. The Americans would have one last chance before the final whistle, when Pulisic headed a corner kick from Miles Robinson, then the ball hit the head of Jamaica's Corey Burke and ended up in the Jamaican net, ending the dramatic score at 1-1. Tie 1.
A last-second goal sent the USA into overtime and they took a 2-1 lead in the 95th minute when Gio Reyna sent a pass to Wright, who blocked a defender and scored.
These two connected again in the 109th minute, as Reyna played in front of Wright, who turned and shot home to make it 3-1.
Information: CONCACAF.
“Lifelong travel trailblazer. Food nerd. Award-winning music enthusiast. Twitter guru.”