The United States national team settled for a 1-1 draw against Jamaica in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying in Kingston on Tuesday.
Timothy Weah tiptoed through the Jamaican defense to open the scoring for the U.S., finishing from a tight angle after an impressive, unassisted run into the hosts’ penalty area.
Jamaica struck back to level the score 1-1 before the 25-minute mark with a superb individual effort from West Ham United striker Michail Antonio, who smashed a shot from well outside the box that left U.S. keeper Zack Steffen no chance.
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Coach Gregg Berhalter made the minimum number of changes for the match with Chris Richards and Gianluca Busio replacing defender Miles Robinson, suspended for a red card, and midfielder Weston McKennie, suspended for yellow card accumulation.
Christian Pulisic was dressed to enter as a sub, as he did Friday against Mexico when his go-ahead goal in the 74th minute propelled the U.S. to a 2-0 win and into first place for the CONCACAF region at the halfway point. McKennie scored the second goal against El Tri.
The crowd at Independence Park — Jamaica’s national stadium with a capacity of 35,000 — was limited because of COVID-19 mandates to 5,000 and the usual raucous atmosphere was lacking until the equalizer.
Jamaica had been no threat until Antonio cut to the inside and ripped a rising shot from 30 yards to the upper right corner over an outstretched Zack Steffen.
Pulisic came on in the 66th minute as the U.S. chased a winner, but neither team could find the back of the net, and Berhalter and company were forced to settle for a point that kept them atop the qualifying table pending the result of Mexico’s match away to Canada later on Tuesday.
The U.S. somehow escaped giving up a second goal in the 53rd minute when Bobby Reid was alone four yards in front of the goal but sailed his attempt out of play.
Jamaica had a goal disallowed in the 84th minute on a header by Damion Lowe, but he was called for fouling defender Walker Zimmerman.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this story.
