Substitute Brandon Vazquez’s late equalizer helped the United States secure a point against Jamaica in a 1-1 draw to open 2023 Gold Cup play on Saturday night.
Jamaica, featuring a roster that boasted a number of Premier League and European-based players, foiled a domestic-heavy U.S. squad for much of the 90 minutes in Chicago. With most of the U.S. stars gone after serving faithfully on CONCACAF Nations League duty, a “B team” roster was deployed for this Gold Cup, and it appeared disjointed.
Jamaica ahead, the U.S. managed to hold out for much of the match, with Matt Turner’s first-half penalty save helping to give the Gold Cup hosts a chance. Then, Vazquez rewarded his side’s gritty effort with an 88th-minute equalizer. He received the ball from Jesus Ferreira and deposited it from close range.
While the USMNT performance was far from inspiring, it also secured a big point. The U.S. is in good position to advance to the knockout round given that its remaining group stage games will be against St. Kitts & Nevis and Trinidad & Tobago.
The Sporting News followed the USA vs Jamaica match live, providing score updates, commentary and highlights as they happened.
Brandon Vazquez saved the United States from what would have been the Americans’ first loss in a Concacaf Gold Cup opener.
Vazquez’s 88th-minute goal gave the US a 1-1 draw against Jamaica on Saturday night. He had entered the match six minutes earlier, tying him to the US with his first competitive international appearance. Born in Chula Vista, California, the 24-year-old forward could have played for Mexico.
“It means everything,” said Vazquez, who was overlooked by the US for last year’s World Cup. “To be able to score a goal in my cap tie is amazing.”
The US, who were without the vast majority of their high-profile European-based players, had 15 wins in 16 previous Gold Cup openers, the only blemish a 1-1 draw against Panama in 2017.
Turner was the only US player who was a regular at last year’s World Cup and one of just five holdovers from last week’s Nations League roster. He dived to his left to parry a 29th-minute penalty by Leon Bailey, who put the rebound wide with his weaker right foot.
“[Turner] came to us and wanted to play both tournaments,” US interim coach BJ Callaghan said. “I always say big players make big plays.”
The penalty was awarded when Aidan Morris knocked down Kevon Lambert following a throw-in
