USA 1-1 Jamaica: Brandon Vazquez scores late equalizer as USMNT avoid defeat in Gold Cup opener in Chicago after Matt Turner saved a penalty
- The USMNT struggled on Saturday as it named a new-look starting lineup
- But Brandon Vazquez salvaged a point with a late finish from close range
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USA’s Gold Cup title defense began with a 1-1 tie against Jamaica in Chicago on Saturday night.
Jamaica took the lead in the 13th minute through Damion Lowe, as Reggae Boyz debutant Demarai Gray whipped in a free kick for the defender to head home.
When USA midfielder Aidan Morris conceded a penalty later in the half, Leon Bailey had a chance to give the visitors a 2-0 lead.
But the Aston Villa winger badly fluffed his lines, sending his penalty at a perfect height for birthday boy Matt Turner to save before putting a rebound wide as well.
‘For us, he just comes up in a big moment,’ interim coach BJ Callaghan said of Turner on FOX after the game. ‘And that’s what you expect from big players.’
Damion Lowe celebrates after scoring a header for Jamaica and giving them a 1-0 lead
Leon Bailey had a chance to give the Reggae Boyz a 2-0 lead from the spot in the 29th minute
But his attempt was easily saved by Matt Turner, before Bailey missed a rebound as well
Brandon Vazquez gave the USMNT a late equalizer with a close-range finish in the 88th minute
That sequence seemed to re-energize the crowd at Chicago’s Soldier Field, but it would be a while longer before the USA found an equalizer.
Brandon Vazquez pounced on a bad clearance in the 88th minute to give the USA a point and the striker – now cap-tied to the USA (he was also eligible for Mexico) – is not the only player who impressed off the bench.
In fact, Callaghan praised nearly every sub after the match, including Cristian Roldan, Djordje Mihailovic and teenage center-back Jalen Neal, who replaced an injured Aaron Long at halftime.
Cade Cowell also injected energy into the match after his introduction, and it was his cross from the left wing that set up Roldan for a golden chance roughly six yards out, which Jamaica’s keeper Andre Blake saved in the 71st minute.
Similar to the team’s 2021 Gold Cup run, the USA selected an almost entirely new squad following their Nations League triumph.
Of the starting lineup on Saturday, Turner was the only player to also start the Nations League Final last week vs. Canada, while Alex Zendejas and Alan Sonora were also in the squad for that tournament.
The USMNT will face Saint Kitts and Nevis next on Wednesday, before wrapping up the group stage vs. Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday.
To see how the action unfolded, read our live blog of the game.
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