Brandon Vasquez scored a late equalizer as the USMNT’s practice B-team struggled to a 1-1 draw with Jamaica in their 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup opener on Saturday.
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The defending champions, the Americans, will conclude group play with games against St. Kitts and Nevis (June 28) and Trinidad and Tobago (July 2).
The USMNT fell behind in the 13th minute with Everton winger and new reggae boy Demarai Gray making his first assist. Gray floated a long free kick towards the near post where Damian Lowe rose above the rest to head past Matt Turner to give Jamaica a 1-0 lead.
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Things went from bad to worse for the USMNT in the 27th minute when Aidan Morris kicked an opponent in the stomach after failing to clear the ball. Jamaica were awarded a penalty kick as a result of the foul, but Matt Turner, wearing the captain’s armband on his birthday on Saturday, denied Leon Bailey a goal to keep it a game away.
After 60 minutes, Turner’s save paid off big. The move started when Jesus Ferreira lifted a cross to the back post, but it didn’t go away. The ball fell to Brandon Vazquez in a small pocket, and the FC Cincinnati striker smashed it in six minutes after coming off the bench.
Stars of the show
Photo: FotMob.com
USMNT vs Jamaica, Final Score: 1-1
13th minute – Damian Lowe heads home a free kick for Jamaica to take the lead.
29th minute – Matt Turner saves Leon Bailey penalty kick to keep USMND alive
88th minute – Brandon Vasquez is in the right place at the right time to make it 1-1.
How to watch USMND vs Jamaica live, stream link and start time
Kickoff: 10 p.m. ET, Saturday TV channel, streaming in English: FS1 TV channel, streaming on Español: Univision
USMNT Schedule – 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup
vs Jamaica**** – June 24, 9:30pm and – Chicago, Illinois vs. St. Kitts and Nevis**** – June 28, 9:30pm ET – St. Louis, Missouri vs. Trinidad and Tobago**** – July 2, 7pm ET – Charlotte, North Carolina
