The United States Men’s National Team beat Jamaica 4-2 on Monday in St. Louis, kicking the USMNT’s aggregate score against Jamaica up to 5-2 and clinching the team’s place in the Nations League semifinals.
USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino urged his team to “improve in all areas” after its 1-0 victory in the first leg in Kingston, and for the most part, that’s exactly what the team did.
There was just one change to the USMNT’s starting lineup — Juventus’s Tim Weah came in for the injured Johnny Cardoso — but the team looked completely different from the one that knocked out a hard-fought win in Jamaica just four days ago.
That USMNT was nervous, brittle and uncertain; this USMNT was confident, fluid and utterly unbothered for most of the first half.
Some of this change came down to the conditions; the field in Jamaica was quickly chopped into divots while the surface in St. Louis was immaculate. It was no surprise that the USMNT had an easier time moving the ball in Missouri.
Call it the CONCACAF effect: the wide range of field quality across North and Central America often makes great teams look terrible and terrible teams look great.
But much of the improvement must be credited to the players themselves. Fulham’s Antonee Robinson was everywhere, cutting in from his space on the flank to hassle Jamaica in the center circle and lead the game in interceptions.
AC Milan’s Christian Pulisic lived up to his “Captain America” moniker, scoring the brilliant opening goal off of a pitch-perfect Weston McKennie cross-field assist.
It was the prodigal forward Tim Weah who looked most impressive, though — and curiously, he didn’t play as a forward at all. Pochettino dropped him into the left side of midfield in what turned out to be an inspired tactical choice.
Weah returned to the USMNT’s starting 11 Monday for the first time since his tournament-ending red card against Panama in this summer’s Copa America. He played this match as if he had a point to prove, and he proved it time and time again. He was thoughtful in his buildup play, selfless in his attacking passes and clinical when the ball fell to his feet in the Jamaica box in the 56th minute.
His goal — a screaming volley hit as hard as any he’s scored in his career — felt cathartic for him and the USMNT fans who supported him through his Copa America dismissal.
It wasn’t all great; the USMNT let in two silly goals in the second half that left Pochettino fuming in the technical box. (Goalkeeper Matt Turner was at fault for one, and his position in the team does not seem secure; left back Joe Scally was at fault for the other, and his position will be handed to the injured Sergiño Dest as soon as he’s fit.)
But on balance, this was one of the strongest and most dominant performances the USMNT has managed in years. Better yet, it was industrious and full of verve, even when the USMNT was three goals clear of Jamaica.
For years, American soccer’s calling card around the globe has been its energy, optimism and effort. The team lost all three while fighting through the muck of the Gregg Berhalter era. It’s wonderful to see it reclaiming its style and heritage.
The USMNT will rest for the holiday season and regroup for a new camp in late January. It will face Venezuela — one of the surprise packages of the Copa America — in a friendly to get back up to speed.
From there, it will prepare for the CONCACAF Nations League semifinals in March … and, if all goes well, battle for the trophy in the final on March 23.
