The United States soccer team had to resign itself this Tuesday to giving up a 1-1 draw that seems to be little in Kingston against Jamaica that leaves its leadership in the Concacaf qualifying rounds for the World Cup in Qatar at risk.
The Reggae Boyz, on the other hand, celebrated the point in their payments as it encourages them to fight, at least, for the fourth place that guarantees a repechage.
Jamaica’s rebound is notable because at the beginning of the month it was bottom of the playoffs.
The United States accumulates 15 points out of 21 possible and Jamaica, with 7, settled in the fifth step of the classification.
Mexico with 14 points and Canada with 13 later have an appointment in Edmonton and threaten the privileged position of the team of the Stars and Stripes.
After Friday’s massive 2-0 win over Mexico, today’s American team did not have the power and strength that earned it praise in Cincinnati.
Everything was looking good for the visitors when Timothy Weah scored in the 11th minute, but at 22 everything remained the same because of forwarding Michail Antonio.
Goalkeepers Andre Blake and Zack Steffen stood out with their interventions and for them, the final draw is largely credited.
The Reggae Boyz most emphatically sought victory through Bobby De Cordova-Reid, who had a constant duel with center-back Walker Zimmerman.
Matchday 9, to be played on January 27, will see the Reggae Boyz against Mexico in Kingston, and the United States at home while waiting for El Salvador.
– Datasheet:
1. Jamaica: Andre Blake; Liam Moore, Damion Lowe, Kemar Lawrence (d.46, Greg Leigh), Javain Brown; Devon Williams, Lamar Walker (d.68, Ravel Morrison), Je-Vaughn Watson (d.68, Anthony Grant); Michail Antonio, Leon Bailey (m.88, Oniel Fisher) and Bobby De Cordova-Reid (m.68, Junior Flemmings).
Manager: Theodore Whitmore
1. United States: Zack Steffen; DeAndre Yedlin, Chris Richards, Walker Zimmerman, Antonee Robinson; Tyler Adams, Gianluca Busio, Yunus Musah (d.66, Kelly Acosta); Ricardo Pepi (m.78, Jesús Ferreira), Brenden Aaronson (m.77, Paul Arriola) and Timothy Weah (m.66, Christian Pulisic).
Coach : Gregg Berhalter
Goals: 0-1, m.11: Timothy Weah. 1-1, m.22: Michael Antonio.
Referee: Costa Rican Juan Calderón admonished Je-Vaughn Watson and Java Brown.
Incidents: Match of the eighth date of the octagonal final of the Concacaf qualifiers for the Qatar World Cup played at Independence Park in Kingston.
