Ricardo Pepi scored from Christian Pulisic's pass in the fifth minute, helping the United States secure a 1-0 victory over Jamaica in the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal first leg held in Kingston. This marked the Americans' first competitive match under coach Mauricio Pochettino.
The second leg of the series is scheduled for Monday in St. Louis, with the winner advancing to the semifinal on March 20 in Inglewood, California. The United States has a strong history in the tournament, having won the first three editions.
Jamaica faced challenges during the match, finishing with a man short after Mason Holgate received his second yellow card for an incident involving Brandon Vázquez. Christian Pulisic played a key role in setting up the goal, receiving a pass from Johnny Cardoso and assisting Ricardo Pepi, who found the back of the net for his 12th international goal.
Matt Turner's standout performance included saving a penalty kick from Jamaica, showcasing his skills in goalkeeping. Despite some setbacks, the United States maintained their lead and secured the crucial victory.
Coach Pochettino made significant changes to the starting lineup, with players like Weston McKennie, Tanner Tessmann, and Pepi making notable contributions to the team's performance. The match also saw some intense moments, with yellow cards being issued to several players from both teams.
Looking ahead, the United States will aim to build on this victory in the upcoming second leg of the series. Aidan Morris will be absent due to injury, while Tim Weah continues to serve a suspension. Jamaica, led by former England manager Steve McClaren, will regroup for the next match after a challenging Copa America campaign.
