In that we saw the previous games of both the USMNT and Jamaica in Philly, I was pleasantly surprised to see the US take the game between the two of them 3-1. The attack of the US was anemic as that of the Jamaica was stout, both had good defensive games at Lincoln Financial Field. Now in their 11th, a record Final, they will take on EL Tri, who else? This is a Mexico team that although it won 1-0 facing the surprise of the Cup, Haiti, they were just not able to put away enough chances. Soilder Field in Chicago will host the final, featuring these two teams for the first time since 2011, opening kick is 9 p.m ET. Sold out already, it will be broadcast on FS1, UDN & Futbol de Primera Radio Network. The USMNT HC installed a few changes, Altidore up front, Morris to the mid, and Cannon with Miazga in the back. The captains armband was with it's 9th player this year, Ream wearing it for a 2nd time. From the opening whistle , the USMNT was on the offfensive, as in the first 5 minutes Jozy had many quality chances first set up by Pulisic dropping a balll near him and Morris that then went out. McKenzie opened the scoring with a one touch shot into the left side beyond Blake just 9 minutes in. Altidore combined with Morris who sent it into the goal box beyond Jozy and to Arriola who beat Blake only to have him recover and play it out. The McKennie goal began with Bradley playing a longball to Jozy, who laid it off the the trailing Weston for his 2nd goal in 2 games and a 1-0 lead. 12' Pulisic sent a free kick following his being fouled, and rocked the left post with it. A later free kick that Blake was unable to handle fell to the feet of Long but his go on goal was at Blake, then the heavy weather came. Jamaica came out like a house on fire, as at 23' Steffan was tested via a diving save, then it was back to business as usual with the US back in the dirvers seat, with well more possession and a 1-0 lead into the half. 52' had Pulisic get his first goal of the game on another rebound by Blake that was put home, he now has a dozen goals for the USMNT. Between the 55' sub of Zardes for Jozy and the 70' of Roldan for Morris, Jamaica made their play. A trio of saves by Steffan and hard work by the defense kept the US up by one. But just before Roland came in Nicholson sent home the cross by Bailey heading it beyond Steffan. Pulisic again punished Blake for a 2nd ball off a rebound and the 3-1 win.
Kwik Kixx:
-The US is now 8-2-1 on the year with shutouts in 7 of the 8 wins.
-Facing Jamaica overall the US is 26-7-5, 5-1-0 in the Gold Cup.
-Now with goals in 29 straight Gold Cup games, the US has not been shut out in a decade, the Final in 2009.
-A new team record was achived with this the 10th straight Gold Cup win.
-Equaling the 2017 Gold Cup run of 5 straight wins, the title would establish a new one.
-Jamaica's goal by Nicholson in the 69' ended a run of 403 unscored upon minutes for the USMNT.
-7 of the first 11 have points in this tourney led by Pulisic and his 3goals & 3 assists, Arriola is ahead of NYRB def. Long with 2g & 1a.
-Only 4 of the starting players were with the US for their loss to Jamaica not even a month ago.
-Pulisic tied Zardes with 3 goals for the team lead in the Cup.
-With his next assist as he is now tied with Davies of Canada with 3 Pulisic will be the 12th player in the US with 10+ goals and assists.
-Bradley now has tied Dempsey for the 2nd most Gold Cup games with 24.
-Jozy has great memories back to where he became the youngest USMNT player to get a hat trick at 19 facing TNT in 2009.
-Jozy with the assist to Weston, now has 14, tying him with Joe-Max Moore and Tab Ramos for 8th all time.
-Ream had his 2nd ever captaincy.
_Arriola and Zardes now lead the team with 10 games on the year.