Last night at Soldier Field in Chicago, the US Men’s National Team (USMNT) struggled against a determined Jamaican squad. But FC Cincinnati’s Brandon Vasquez found a loose ball in the box and pounced on it, sending a shot into the net for a late goal to help the US earn a draw against the Reggae Boyz in the CONCACAF Gold Cup opening game late Saturday night, 1-1.
Superman, Vasquez’s fun alter ego, was an 82’ substitution for US coach B.J. Callaghan, as the US was staring at an opening round loss in their title defense for the Gold Cup. They had previously been defeated once in 44 group stage matches in this competition and a second setback would have most of the soccer world in a tizzy.
Jesus Ferreira crossed the ball from the right side of the box where the Jamaican defender, Dexter Lembikisa, mis-struck his clearance. The ball bounced right to the FCC forward who one-timed into the net to send the surprised and anxious fans into a frenzy.
Starting lineups for USMNT and Reggae Boyz:
Jamaica
Here’s the starting 11 for #Jamaica. Demarai Gray makes his debut for the #ReggaeBoyz after filing his one time switch. pic.twitter.com/E9h2oobZ3O
— Last Word on Soccer (@LastWordSC) June 25, 2023
USA
Our Gold Cup-opening Starting XI 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/MtT2rJJlwr
— U.S. Men's National Soccer Team (@USMNT) June 25, 2023
First Half
Having only been with the national team since last September, the Jamaican coach, Iceland’s iconic Heimir Hallgrimsson, had his team playing well from the outset. And the pressure and speed of the Reggae Boyz attack gave them the early lead.
Boyz Lead, 1-0!
In the 14’ Demarai Gray, a winger from Everton in the English Premier League, dropped in a perfect free kick from far up the right side of the pitch that found his unmarked teammate, Damion Lowe. Lowe crushed a perfect header between the posts and past US Goalie Matt Turner, and Jamaica took an early 1-0 lead.
🇯🇲 Demarai Gray got an assist on his Jamaica debut last night as they drew 1-1 against USAMNT in The Gold Cuppic.twitter.com/suLACvfGYM
— 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗲 𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗲𝘀 (@EvertonNewsFeed) June 25, 2023
Shortly after, Aidan Morris, one of the USA’s midfielders, fouled Jamaica’s Kevon Lambert with a high kick in Turner’s box and Jamaica’s dream beginning could have been devastating to the US.
But the penalty kick, taken by Leon Bailey, sailed low to Turner’s left and he was there to parry the attempt away. Bailey jumped on the rebound but sent his shot wide of an open goal!
🫡 Captain Matt Turner saves that.pic.twitter.com/yBKPByaiJR
— Does Matt Turner save that? (@TurnerSavesThat) June 25, 2023
Prior to the match, Turner was made captain and rewarded his mates with an unbelievable save.
“Big players make big plays, and Matt made a big play there,” interim U.S. coach B.J. Callaghan said afterward. “I think it also shifted the momentum a little bit…”
Second Half
Callaghan and USA Soccer have been criticized for this tournament due to many of their European stars being left off this CONCACAF Gold Cup roster. For long stretches the team seemed to be off in their passes and movement. And when they did string some good play, Jamaica had an answer.
Andre Blake, the long-time goalie for the MLS’s Philadelphia Union, kept the US scoreless with great saves, especially the one in the 71’ to deny US’s Cristian Roldan’s effort in front of the net with an amazing flying leg save!
😤 @PhilaUnion's Andre Blake with the phenomenal save! pic.twitter.com/37HCnlxVod
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 25, 2023
US Levels thanks to Superman!
Photo© GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
Vazquez made it to the pitch as a replacement for John Tolkin. One of the things missing last night was a bigger presence in the forward position. Thus the stage was set.
82' – Final sub:
On: Vazquez
Off: Tolkin pic.twitter.com/cTr12agikR— U.S. Men's National Soccer Team (@USMNT) June 25, 2023
#19 for the US and FCC shared his insights on the win:
“The team stayed connected and fought until the end and we were able to get a goal!”
pic.twitter.com/CKme8SFksl
Brandon Vazquez Goal #GoldCup #USAvJAM— … (@Kantetheg) June 25, 2023
“To be able to score and help the team get a point? I’m super, super happy!”
Jamaica can win this thing!
Don’t believe for a minute that the US doesn’t see Jamaica as a threat. They do. And last night’s performance might just send a warning to North America that Jamaican soccer is ready for the big stage. Callaghan stressed this post match.
“We always knew that this was going to be a strong opponent — it’s a very talented Jamaica team that can hurt you in many different ways…[T]here was a lot of learning moments for us and, at the same time, I think there’s a lot of great responses that we saw tonight.”
What’s next?
The US will now look over last night’s film and make adjustments. Sunday’s play will see Trinidad and Tobago battle Saint Kitts and Nevis. Both squads are in Group A with the US and Jamaica. The Tobago/St Kitts game will be at DVR PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Group B sees Mexico take on Honduras and Haiti tackle Qatar as the Gold Cup continues Sunday’s schedule.
Both of Group B’s games will be played at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.
US plays again Wednesday in St. Louis at CITYPARK.
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