USMNT Downs Jamaica, Fulfills Its Kinda Gold Cup Destiny

Now the USA's rising to the occasion.

Jamaica's proven they about more than just track, cricket, and bobsleds.

The Reggae Boyz have appeared in the last two Gold Cup title games, losing to Mexico in 2015 and the Americans in 2017.

It's always an accomplishment to top a team that's been there and done that, so full marks to the USMNT.

 

Well, it's a start.

There's still a title to be won, and Mexico's a higher-order challenge, even if they've scuffled more than the USA to get there.

Sure, it's fun to see an underdog sneak in there every once and a while, but USA v Mexico is the title tie Concacaf needs.

 

In their semifinal, the Yanks beat both Jamaica and the weather in Nashville to post a 3-1 victory that wasn't all that close.

Dudes played like defending champions. Maybe that's not saying much, considering this is the Gold Cup, but it beats the alternative.

 

Once again, Christian Pulisic was The Man, popping a pair of goals and combining with Weston McKennie to totally dominate the midfield.

Manager Gregg Berhalter inserted three veterans -- Jozy Altidore, Jordan Morris, and Matt Miazga -- plus 21-year-old Reggie Cannon into the lineup for this one, and they made themselves known.

 

Among other things ...

• Cannon gathered in a long pass from Michael Bradley and found Altidore, who served as a point man and fed a perfectly-timed dime to McKennie for the first goal; and
• Morris took a long pass from McKennie and fired a scud that was too hot for Jamaica 'keeper to handle, setting up Pulisic for the rebound that became his second goal.

The weather delay pushed this game into the Fourth of July, which worked for the USA, as they combined with Mother Nature to light it up all night:

 

And so it was, the USA and Mexico have punched their tickets to Chicago, where everyone expected them to be.

Now, it's time for the fire of their rivalry to put on a world-worthy show.