USA vs. Jamaica score, result as brace for USMNT star Pulisic toasts Reggae Boyz in Nations League quarterfinal

Kyle Bonn

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USA vs. Jamaica score, result as brace for USMNT star Pulisic toasts Reggae Boyz in Nations League quarterfinal image

Fans may have felt a shift in the fortunes of the U.S. men’s national team in the St. Louis rain on Monday night.

Up by a slim 1-0 aggregate margin in their two-legged CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal matchup against Jamaica after a hard-fought win in Kingston on Thursday, things hadn’t quite clicked into gear just yet under new head coach Mauricio Pochettino.

Then, in the wet Missouri weather, Pochettino’s Ferrari not only engaged the drive shaft, but activated the NOS and fired the afterburners.

A Christian Pulisic brace led the way for a delicious 4-2 victory that saw the USMNT put forth its best 60 minutes under the new head man by a longshot. Producing an hour of delicious passing, exceptional off-ball movement, and wonderful fluidity, the U.S. looked to have fully grasped Pochettino’s philosophies.

MORE: Details on the 2024/25 Nations League semifinals, including potential opponents for USMNT

Pulisic’s first-half brace was supported by a third from Ricardo Pepi to leave the U.S. with a three-goal advantage at the halftime break.

They lost their sharpness as the halftime went on, leading to an impressive pair of goals by Demarai Gray to give Jamaica something to fly back home with. Yet with Tim Weah adding a U.S. fourth in between, it was too little too late to match the electric combination play of the home side.

With improvement towards 2026 World Cup on home soil still the ultimate goal, they’ll look to put forth this same type of performance against a more well-established opponent as they advance to the semifinals of the Nations League, with their opponent still to be determined.

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The Sporting News followed the USA vs. Jamaica match live, providing score updates, commentary and highlights as they happened.

USA vs. Jamaica final score

 AggregateScoreGoal scorers
USA54Pulisic (13', 33'),
Pepi (42'),
Weah (56')
Jamaica22D. Gray (54', 68')

Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT
Location: CityPark (St. Louis, MO)
Referee: Mario Escobar (GUA)

Starting lineups:

USA (4-2-3-1, right to left): 1. Turner (GK) — 22. Scally, 4. McKenzie, 13. Ream, 5. A. Robinson — 8. McKennie (Busio, 69'), 18. Tessman — 6. Musah (Zendejas, 88'), 10. Pulisic (Aaronson, 69'), 21. Weah (Cowell, 77') — 9. Pepi (Vazquez, 77').

Jamaica (5-4-1, right to left): 1. Blake (GK) — 12. T. Gray (Leigh, 60'), 17. Lowe (Anderson, 73'), 6. Bernard, 14. Hayden, 4. A. Bell — 7. Bailey (R. Williams, 73'), 18. Magee (King, 46'), 15. Latibeaudiere, 10. D. Gray — 11. Nicholson (Cephas, 60').

MORE: Find out how to stream the USA vs. Jamaica match LIVE

USA vs. Jamaica live updates, highlights from Nations League quarterfinal

FULLTIME: USA 4-2 Jamaica

The two consolation goals for Demarai Gray won't do much to dampen the USMNT spirits, as the hosts put forth a thumping performance in an emphatic victory. Christian Pulisic makes the difference with his first-half brace, while Ricardo Pepi and Tim Weah finish it off.

Tanner Tessmann, Antonee Robinson, Weston McKennie, and Yunus Musah all logged really strong performances themselves, while Joe Scally and Brandon Vazquez are the only ones to walk away from this one wishing they'd shown more. Add in no injuries, and it's an overwhelmingly successful evening in St. Louis for Mauricio Pochettino and company.

90th min: Chance, USA! A gorgeous entry feed from the left by Cade Cowell puts Brandon Vazquez clean through on goal, only needing to beat the goalkeeper to give the U.S. a deserved fifth, but yet again he fires wide of the net. It's been extremely poor from Vazquez in both matches this international break.

88th min: One more substitution for the USMNT as Yunus Musah is replaced on the right wing by Alejandro Zendejas.

82nd min: Chance, USA! Brandon Vazquez comes close again as a turnover high up the pitch sees him clean through on goal, but he fires it wide left of the net.

79th min: Cade Cowell makes an instant impact off the bench, delivering a wonderful outside-of-the-foot cross for a streaking Brandon Vazquez, but it's just out of his reach at the far post.

77th min: Ricardo Pepi is the next to be brought off by Mauricio Pochettino, with Brandon Vazquez installed up front in his place. Vazquez missed a pair of wide-open chances off the bench in Kingston, and will look to log a performance that gives Pochettino a better idea of his finishing abilities.

Cade Cowell also enters to replace Tim Weah, who was outstanding in his inverted winger role.

72nd min: Yunus Musah cooks his defender down the right flank and delivers a perfect cross on a platter for Ricardo Pepi, but the PSV man lashes wildly at it and whiffs badly.

Jamaica make another two changes as Romario Williams replaces Leon Bailey and Karoy Anderson takes over for Damion Lowe.

68th min: GOAL! JAMAICA! The Reggae Boyz have another as Demarai Gray has his second of the night. Joe Scally is gobbled up by substitute Renaldo Cephas one-on-one down the Jamaica left, and while Matt Turner makes a fantastic save on the initial shot, he parries it right into the path of Gray who finishes easily into the open net.

Immediately, Christian Pulisic is brought off to protect him from further harm, replaced by Brenden Aaronson. Weston McKennie is also withdrawn with Gianluca Busio entering.

61st min: Tim Weah is hungry for another as he catches Andre Blake off guard with a shot from distance that forces the Jamaica goalkeeper to scramble across his net and dive to poke the ball out of play for a corner. Christian Pulisic takes and delivers a dangerous looping ball to the far post that the U.S. just quite can't get on the end of.

Jamaica make another two changes, as Renaldo Cephas and Greg Leigh come on to replace Shamar Nicholson and Tayvon Gray.

56th min: GOAL! USA! TIM WEAH ROOFS ONE AND THE LEAD IS RESTORED! It's an absolutely THUMPING finish from the Juventus winger, as he pulverizes the ball with the outside of his boot into the top corner at the end of another beautiful move.

In the middle of it, Christian Pulisic was fouled outside the top of the penalty area and the referee played advantage. The U.S. superstar shouldn't be risked any further amidst a physical match in bad weather.

54th min: GOAL! JAMAICA! Demarai Gray pulls one back for Jamaica and it's not quite over just yet! It's a beautiful finish from Gray, who missed a penalty in the first leg but puts Jamaica on the board with a sensational strike on the half-volley.

51st min: Chance, Jamaica! Matt Turner makes an incredible save on Shamar Nicholson who is clean through on goal! The flag goes up in the end to nullify the chance, but Turner won't have known that as he dives full-stretch to his left!

49th min: Joel Latibeaudiere gives Christian Pulisic a thump to the ribs which leaves the USMNT goal scorer in a heap on the turf. CP eventually rises back to his feet, but not before he has some frustrated words with the Reggae Boyz. Given how Jamaica targeted Pulisic in the first leg, Mauricio Pochettino should think about withdrawing the Milan man soon.

2nd half kickoff: In the 15 minutes since the halftime whistle, St. Louis has been engulfed in driving wind and rain that makes it almost impossible to hear Mauricio Pochettino in his interview on TNT. Our thoughts are with the individual holding the umbrella for the USMNT coach as he struggles mightily to keep it from flying away.

Jamaica have made a halftime change, as Tyreek Magee is replaced in midfield by Richard King. No changes for the U.S. yet, but you have to imagine at some point Mauricio Pochettino will protect his most important players from further harm.

HALFTIME: USA 3-0 Jamaica

A truly sensational 45 minutes from the hosts, who looked utterly brilliant from start to finish. Mauricio Pochettino has this team firing on all cylinders, as their possessional buildup featured some of the more impressive off-ball movement USMNT fans will remember watching.

Christian Pulisic is the star of the show with his two goals, but the real top performer was Antonee Robinson playing an inverted full-back role tucking into midfield. Give Weston McKennie a gold star for his two assists as well, while Tim Weah looks electric playing on the left wing. There wasn't a single U.S. player who struggled in that first half, as everyone appeared to be perfectly in sync.

Jamaica, meanwhile, are in a world of hurt. The Reggae Boys are well and truly sunk, as Steve McClaren's many lineup changes have looked to their detriment rather than their benefit. The halftime whistle couldn't come soon enough for the visitors, as rain begins to fall in St. Louis.

42nd min: GOAL! USA! Ricardo Pepi has a third for the USMNT on the night to put an end to any doubt of the final aggregate scoreline! It's all too easy for the U.S. as Pepi gets in space at the top of the penalty area and slots the ball inside the right post past a diving Andre Blake!

33rd min: GOAL! USA! Christian Pulisic has a second for the United States to put them in full control of the aggregate scoreline!

This one comes via a truly fortunate deflection as it clips off Di'Shon Bernard and finds the back of the net! The move is deserving of a goal, as Weston McKennie's cross from the right is dummied through by Tanner Tessmann right to the feet of Pulisic. Will it stand as a Pulisic goal, or will it go down as an own goal? For now, CP has a brace, as it does look the initial was on target...just.

32nd min: Yunus Musah begins a USMNT counter-attack with a delicious pass out wide left, but the move peters out at the final ball as Tim Weah's vertical feed is just too overcooked for a streaking Ricardo Pepi. The hosts look so incisive tonight!

24th min: Chance, USA! Ricardo Pepi forces a save by Andre Blake!

23rd min: Jamaica have had precious little possession or attacking movement, but they force Matt Turner into his first save as a long ball is played ahead to Shamar Nicholson who manages to poke a shot on target under defensive pressure from Mark McKenzie, but it's easily stopped at the near post.

The U.S. will have to watch that exactly play moving forward. Jamaica's most dangerous attacking moments in the first leg came on long balls over the top as well.

13th min: GOAL! USA! Christian Pulisic scores a truly wonderful opener!

As spectacular as the U.S. movement and passing has been tonight, the goal comes off a pair of long balls, with Tim Weah switching play and Weston McKennie delivering a lovely ball to the feet of Pulisic who finishes with a one-touch poke past the charging goalkeeper!

12th min: The most obvious tactical quirk from Mauricio Pochettino tonight involves the USMNT left flank, where Tim Weah is playing a left wing-back position while Antonee Robinson is given the freedom to duck into midfield. It's super weird to see, but has worked like a charm so far. Jamaica don't know what to do with either player's movement.

9th min: Tim Weah gets in another excellent shooting position, but the bounce of the ball makes the chance much more difficult than anticipated. Weah attempts to half-volley the ball on frame, but it's blocked by a defender in the line of the shot.

The U.S. has been utterly fantastic so far. Jamaica are back on their heels and under heavy pressure, as the hosts completely dominate possession and look incisive.

3rd min: Chance, USA! Oh. My. Goodness. The U.S. very nearly just scored one of the most electric goals you'll ever see, but it's not to be!

Christian Pulisic crops up on the left edge and plays Tim Weah with his back to goal. Weah brilliantly backheels the ball to Antonee Robinson who then plays a one-two and releases Weah through on goal. The Juventus man barrels forward splitting the defenders and surging into the penalty area, before finishing with his right...but it smacks the post and caroms along the face of goal and out! SO unlucky!

Kickoff: They're under way in St. Louis, a city where the U.S. men have thrashed opponents in the past. They'll hope for more of the same tonight against a shorthanded Jamaica.

Antonee Robinson is the latest USMNT player to reach an appearance milestone, earning his 50th cap for the national team tonight.

USA vs. Jamaica: Pre-match commentary, analysis, more

15 mins to kickoff: A reminder of the stakes tonight: If the U.S. win or draw, they advance to the CONCACAF Nations League semifinals.

If the USMNT lose 1-0, the match will advance to extra-time and, if necessary, penalties. If Jamaica emerge victorious by any other scoreline, they would advance either on aggregate or on the goals scored tiebreaker.

The semifinal opponent for whoever advances is yet to be determined, as the bracket is redrawn for the final four remaining nations. Panama lead Costa Rica 1-0 on aggregate, with kickoff at 9 p.m. ET tonight, while Canada lead Suriname 1-0 and Honduras lead Mexico 2-0 (!!) in both of tomorrow's games.

30 mins to kickoff: The Jamaica XI features a number of changes as Steve McClaren surprisingly shuffles the deck significantly after the 1-0 defeat at home. With Mason Holgate suspended and Ethan Pinnock still out injured, Dexter Lembikisa and Greg Leigh were dropped as Tayvon Gray, Di'Shon Bernard, Tyreek Magee, and Isaac Hayden all enter the XI.

One player who keeps his starting role is striker Shamar Nicholson. Even if McClaren wanted to make a change up front, he couldn't as Michail Antonio is unavailable after embarrassingly losing his passport and failing to make the trip. Yikes.

45 mins to kickoff: We have the USMNT starting lineup, and while the personnel in the XI presents no surprises, the deployment of each player comes as a bit of a shock — and we get this from the U.S. Soccer release, which helpfully places each individual in the 4-2-3-1 formation.

Most surprisingly is Tim Weah earning the start on the left wing, as he has almost exclusively played on the right through his club and international career. That has displaced Christian Pulisic who moves into the middle as a No. 10, with Yunus Musah retaining his position on the right wing and Weston McKennie moved back into the midfield pivot alongside Tanner Tessmann. Fascinating stuff, we'll see how it plays out.

1 hour to kickoff: We're still waiting on lineups to be announced, so until then, enjoy these absolutely FIRE U.S. Soccer jackets the players are sporting tonight. I hope they make these available for purchase!

1 hour 15 mins to kick: One thing to watch as we get close to lineups being released is how Yunus Musah is (or isn't) deployed. He has been inconsistent at best out on the wing, both at the club and international levels, but he has been played there repeatedly by multiple coaches including Pochettino at every stop.

With Tim Weah back from suspension, Musah is unlikely to be used out there again tonight. So will Pochettino turn to Musah in midfield, where he has been at his best for the USMNT, or will he see the bench with Tanner Tessmann, Weston McKennie, or Malik Tillman preferred instead?

1 hour 30 mins to kick: Mauricio Pochettino said in his pre-match press conference that players in MLS will have the same opportunity to make the USMNT roster than players contracted to European clubs and playing abroad. While it's a diplomatic answer for him to give that doesn't throw MLS under the bus, it's not necessarily the honest truth.

It's likely that Pochettino feels differently, given that he is a career Big 5 European League coach. Tim Ream is essentially the only player on the current roster that is playing for an MLS club and has leeway to start in the USMNT lineup, and that could change if he continues to struggle. Otherwise, the entire main core of the U.S. roster is European-based, and that seems likely to remain the case.

1 hour 45 mins to kick: Johnny Cardoso has already returned to Spain where his club Real Betis will do tests on his muscle injury. There are reports that he could miss two to three weeks with the injury.

2 hours to kickoff: Christian Pulisic has been the most in-form USMNT player at the club level this season, and he is one of the few reasons an otherwise inconsistent AC Milan have remained afloat in the Serie A and Champions League thus far. He is the club's leading goal scorer, which has apparently attracted some significant interest.

According to Italian publication Calciomercato, Liverpool could make a play for Pulisic in January to bring him back to the Premier League, with a potential valuation of €60 million ($63.4m).

Would AC Milan give him up given how important he has been to the Italian club thus far? We'll see, but that kind of money would be hard to turn down in an otherwise barren transfer market.

USA vs. Jamaica kickoff time

This UEFA Nations League quarterfinal second leg kicks off from Allianz Arena on Monday, November 18 at 7 p.m. local time in St. Louis, MO. Here's how that time translates across some of the major territories around North America:

 DateKickoff time
Eastern TimeMon, Nov. 188 p.m. ET
Central TimeMon, Nov. 187 p.m. CT
Mountain TimeMon, Nov. 186 p.m. MT
Pacific TimeMon, Nov. 185 p.m. PT

USA vs. Jamaica lineups, team news, starting 11

Chris Richards has been out with a hamstring injury for the last month, missing the October international break, but has returned to the roster here after being on the bench against Fulham on the weekend. Haji Wright appeared to roll his ankle badly in Coventry City's 2-2 draw with Sunderland on Saturday and was left off the roster after being seen on crutches following the match. Folarin Balogun and Josh Sargent are both missing with injuries, leaving the attacking ranks thinned a bit.

Tyler Adams finally made his first start of the season for Bournemouth on Saturday, having missed the early portion of the campaign, but the USMNT coaching staff do not wish to risk an injury-prone player until he proves he can handle a full load of matches for club and country. Johnny Cardoso has returned to Real Betis after suffering a "mild muscle injury" in the opener. Aidan Morris withdrew from the USMNT squad after suffering a knee injury in training prior to the first match.

MORE: A full look at the USMNT roster for the November matches against Jamaica

Sergino Dest continues to recover from his ACL tear just before the summer and isn't expected back until at least the start of 2025. Gio Reyna picked up a muscle injury in training during the September international break and has not yet returned for Borussia Dortmund, while oft-injured Josh Sargent has once again gone down, this time with a groin injury, and will be out until 2025 after needing surgery.

Tim Weah is back after being suspended for the first match stemming from his red card in the Copa America but fascinatingly deployed on the left wing, which moved Christian Pulisic to the No. 10 role.

USA starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Turner (GK) — Scally, McKenzie, Ream, A. Robinson — Tessman, McKennie — Musah, Pulisic, Weah — Pepi.

USA subs: Kochen (GK), Schulte (GK), Steffen (GK), Trusty, M. Robinson, Richards, Zendejas, Aaronson, Busio, M. Tillman, Cowell, Vazquez.

The Jamaica national team roster comes with no surprises, as all main stars are included. The big news for Jamaica was the return of Leon Bailey, who had been at odds with the federation and not been called in since being left off the Copa America roster. The Aston Villa man is back for this month's fixtures with new head coach Steve McClaren now in charge.

Not appearing is veteran Bobby Decordova-Reid who has failed to secure a starting spot in his first season with Leicester City. Michail Antonio remains a key figure up front for Jamaica despite just one goal and one assist for West Ham this season, but did not start in the first leg, with Shamar Nicholson deployed instead.

Brentford defender Ethan Pinnock picked up a knee injury just before the international break, according to McClaren, and his status for this match is uncertain after missing the first leg. They are also without Mason Holgate who was suspended for the return leg after being sent off late in the match last week, and Michail Antonio was unable to make the trip after losing his passport.

Jamaica starting lineup (5-4-1): Blake (GK) — T. Gray Lowe, Bernard, Hayden, A. Bell — Bailey, Magee, Latibeaudiere, D. Gray — Nicholson.

Jamaica subs: Waite (GK), S. Davis (GK), Leigh, Palmer, King, Anderson, Williams, Bennett, Lembikisa, Cephas, Morrison.

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Kyle Bonn

Kyle Bonn Photo

Kyle Bonn, is a Syracuse University broadcast journalism graduate with over a decade of experience covering soccer globally. Kyle specializes in soccer tactics and betting, with a degree in data analytics. Kyle also does TV broadcasts for Wake Forest soccer, and has had previous stops with NBC Soccer and IMG College. When not covering the game, he has long enjoyed loyalty to the New York Giants, Yankees, and Fulham. Kyle enjoys playing racquetball and video games when not watching or covering sports.