The USA national team has advanced to the semi-finals of the CONCACAF Nations League after beating Jamaica 4-2. The winning goal was scored by a former Dortmund player.
Former Dortmund player Christian Pulisic has led the US national team into the semi-finals of the CONCACAF Nations League. In the quarter-final second leg against Jamaica, which ended in a comfortable 4-2 (3-0) win for the team of new national coach Mauricio Pochettino, Pulisic scored an early brace (13th/33rd) that set the course.
The first goal, in particular, was well worth seeing: Pulisic lifted Weston McKennie’s cross from halfway directly over the head of goalkeeper Andre Blake and into the net – a technical masterpiece. The second goal was a low shot from the 26-year-old US midfielder that was deflected by Di’Shon Bernard.
With his 32nd and 33rd international goals, Pulisic, who plays for Milan, climbed past former Saarbrücken player Eric Wynalda to fourth place on the USA’s all-time scoring list and is now only ahead of Jozy Altidore (42 goals) and co-leaders Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan (57 each).
McKennie sets up – Jamaica duo missing without pass
Incidentally, Pulisic’s second goal was also set up by former Schalke player McKennie (Juventus) on the right wing. The other goals for the hosts were scored by Ricardo Pepi (42nd), who has already played in the Bundesliga for FC Augsburg and now plays for PSV Eindhoven, and Timothy Weah (56th), who, like McKennie, is under contract with Juventus.
The brace scored by former Leverkusen striker Demarai Gray (53’/68′; Al-Ettifaq) came too late for the Jamaican team managed by former England manager Steve McLaren.
The visitors had to play without West Ham’s Michail Antonio. The striker and another player had lost their passports and were therefore unable to enter the country.
Panama through – Mexico’s hopes fading
Panama are also through to the semi-finals after drawing 2-2 with Costa Rica. Panama won the first leg 1-0 away from home. Mexico, meanwhile, still has to turn around a 2-0 first-leg loss in Honduras, while Canada, with a 1-0 lead, will face Surinam at home in the second leg.