NASHVILLE, Tennessee, CMC – Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz were sent packing from the CONCACAF Gold Cup on Wednesday night, after producing a lacklustre performance to crash to a 3-1 defeat to United States in the second semi-final of the continental tournament.
In a repeat of the 2017 final, the Reggae Boyz fell behind 1-0 at half-time through Weston McKennie’s ninth minute strike, before Christian Pulisic added the second for the hosts in the 52nd minute.
Shamar Nicholson pulled one back for the Caribbean side in the 69th but Pulisic completed his brace three minutes from the end, to set up a meeting with 10-time champions Mexico in Sunday’s final.
Jamaica were under pressure from early when goalkeeper saved from the feet of Paul Arriola in the fourth minute and Reggie Cannon fired into the side netting from close range just minutes later.
It was, therefore, no surprise when the US took the lead, Jozy Altidore playing through McKennie who escaped his marker Je-Vaughn Watson to beat Blake from five yards.
Pulisic rattled the uprights with a free kick three minutes later before a lightning advisory drove players from the field.
Jamaica stormed back following the interruption, Junior Flemmings forcing a diving save out of goalkeeper Zack Steffen in the 23rd minute and Michael Hector firing wide in the 27th.
Behind at the half, Jamaica were further set back seven minutes following the resumption when Pulisic scored his first, converting from close range under pressure from Alvas Powell after Blake had parried a ferocious drive from Jordan Morris.
Darren Mattocks curled just wide in the 67th minute but Nicholson made no mistake from the centre of the box moments later, eluding his markers to nod home Leon Bailey’s cross.
The nail in Jamaica’s coffin came late on with Jamaica searching for the equaliser when Blake pulled off a diving save to deny Arriola’s long range volley only from Pulicic to score with the rebound.