USMNT Vs Jamaica: Player ratings – McKennie, Pulisic shine
By Nathan Dunn
On Wednesday night, the USMNT secured their ticket to the 2019 Gold Cup Final after defeating Jamaica 2-1. Here are the player ratings.
It did not take long for the U.S. Men’s National Team to establish their dominance in Wednesday night’s Gold Cup semi-final against Jamaica. Weston McKennie scored his second goal of the tournament in just the ninth minute to put the USMNT in the lead. From that point on, they never looked back, despite the game being suspended for 90 minutes due to lightning.
Christian Pulisic later doubled the lead in the 52nd minute after pouncing on Andre Blake’s save from Jordan Morris’ shot. Jamaica answered in the 69th minute with a header from Shamar Nicholson to make things interesting with more than 20 minutes to play.
Related Story. USMNT Vs Jamaica: 3 things we learned. light
Pulisic then made sure the USMNT were through to the final with another scrappy goal in the 87th minute. The United States will now face Mexico in the Gold Cup Final on Sunday for the first time since 2011.
Here are the player ratings from the 3-1 win over Jamaica.
Goalkeeper
Zack Steffen: 7
Couldn’t do anything on Jamaica’s only goal. Commanded his box well.
Defense
Tim Ream: 5
Still looking for him to provide another option going forward. Looked a little shaky multiple times. Too slow in closing down opposing attackers.
Aaron Long: 7
Best defender for the US. Proved his worth again today. Dominant in the air and rarely caught out of position.
Matt Miazga: 6
Did well starting in place of Walker Zimmerman. A big presence in the air and composed alongside Long.
Reggie Cannon: 7
Really nice play for the opening goal to control and find Altidore/McKennie with a first-time cross from a long diagonal ball from Michael Bradley. His athleticism is a terrific asset down the right flank.
Midfield
Michael Bradley: 7
Really provided the brains for the opening goal to find Reggie Cannon on the opening goal. Controlled the game beautifully from the deep-lying midfield position. Will be tested more against Mexico in the final, however.
Weston McKennie: 7
Smartly called off Altidore for the opening goal. Good control in tight areas. A hustling, bustling performance that was topped off with a well-deserved goal.
Christian Pulisic: 8 – Man of the Match
Two goals, albeit scrappy goals. Much better game than his previous outing, had the final product and truly killed the game off.
Forwards and Substitutes
Paul Arriola: 5
Not good enough. Needs to be more dynamic like we’ve seen before in attacking areas. Also needs to become more involved in overall play by drifting inside from the wing.
Jordan Morris: 5
The wide players have not been good enough this tournament. Morris needs to provide service for Altidore/Zardes as target forwards. Subbed off in the 70th minute.
Jozy Altidore: 6
Did well to leave the ball alone on the opening goal. Showed great trust in his teammates. Subbed off in the 56th minute.
Gyasi Zardes: 5
Subbed on in the 56th minute. Didn’t provide anything that Altidore did not. Lost the ball in a bad area that led to Jamaica’s goal.
Cristian Roldán: 5
Subbed on in the 70th minute. Still waiting for a moment of brilliance from him that we have seen so often with the Seattle Sounders.
Next. USWNT Vs England: 3 things we learned. dark
Daniel Lovitz: N/A
Subbed on in the 88th minute. Did not provide much.