The United States men’s national team secured a 1-0 victory against the Reggae Boyz in Kingston, Jamaica, on Thursday in what can only be described as a Concacafy match.
Thursday’s Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal leg 1 saw several skirmishes, a field that looked more like a rug going through a blender, Jamaica having their own band/cheerleaders, a red card, 90 minutes of sloppy play and one cameraman who got bored during the game.
Sounds about Concacaf.
In first half stoppage time Weston McKennie was receiving some treatment after a rough fall. The man on the camera let his eyes and equipment wander as the broadcast cut to a shot of a woman looking at her own snapchat.
What is happening during the #USMNT broadcast? I have several questions. pic.twitter.com/1TjvFXr7WO
— Cork Gaines, Ph.D. (@CorkGaines) November 15, 2024
I thought we as a society had moved past the “honey shot” era of television, but this cameraman decided to have an artistic take on it.
Also, if you haven’t been able to tell, the game was rather lackluster given this is what the headline of this story was about.
A depleted USMNT roster without the likes of Timothy Weah, Gio Reyna, Folarin Balogun, Sergiño Dest, Tyler Adams and more plus a shoddy field resulted in some ugly soccer being played.
Christian Pulisic assisting Ricardo Pepi five minutes into the game was one of the rare highlights.
Pulisic Pepi
And it only took the USMNT five minutesWatch Jamaica vs. USA on TNT, TruTV and Max pic.twitter.com/HMw7eERXtD
— B/R Football (@brfootball) November 15, 2024
A great assist from Pulisic in his 75th appearance with the national team.
The one other big highlight happened minutes later as Matt Turner conceded a penalty kick but then proceeded to save the ensuing kick.
Matt Turner gives up the penalty, Matt Turner saves the penalty
Watch Jamaica vs. USA on TNT, TruTV and Max pic.twitter.com/QcslWmgWBs— B/R Football (@brfootball) November 15, 2024
The rest of the game was more defensive for the USMNT as head coach Mauricio Pochettino deployed a 4-2-3-1 formation featuring four defenders and four midfielders with a more defensive mindset.
An injury to Johnny Cardoso in the 20th minute did see the introduction of Malik Tillman who had a more offensive flare.
In the second half Jamaica threatened Turner’s goal several times with the Crystal Palace backup goalkeeper making key saves and Tim Ream definitely not blocking a shot with his arm.
¡CEEEERCA EL GOL DE JAMAICA!
Los locales se quedaron a nada del empate, Musah salva de forma espectacularEN VIVO por @NBCUniverso y Telemundo APP ➡️ https://t.co/luCUYvoX4H#CNL #Concacaf #FutbolUSA #USMNT pic.twitter.com/6NBmc3BYlr
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) November 15, 2024
¡OTRA VEZ CERCA JAMAICA!
Estuvieron a nada de un gol olímpico, Turner ataja en el último momentoEN VIVO por @NBCUniverso y Telemundo APP ➡️ https://t.co/luCUYvoX4H#CNL #Concacaf #FutbolUSA #USMNT pic.twitter.com/gjH0k43f98
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) November 15, 2024
Jamaica went down to 10-men in the 86th minute when Mason Holgate dragged down Brandon Vázquez to halt a USMNT attack and earned a second yellow card.
¡Jamaica se queda con 10 hombres!
Mason Holgate se va expulsado tras cometer falta sobre Brandon Vázquez ❌EN VIVO por @NBCUniverso y Telemundo APP ➡️ https://t.co/luCUYvoX4H#CNL #Concacaf #FutbolUSA #USMNT pic.twitter.com/H6vOiusdFD
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) November 15, 2024
I wish I had more videos to share of the crowd at National Stadium Independence Park because those fans brought the energy. I can only relay what I saw which includes a Jamaican Santa, an at least 14-women cheerleading group doing synchronized dances with pom-poms and a band.
The USMNT will look to book a place in the Final Four of the competition in the return leg against Jamaica on Monday.
Monday’s second leg will be played at Energizer Park in St. Louis, Missouri.
