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Jamaica shocks U.S. in Gold Cup semis

ATLANTA - Jamaica stunned the United States with a pair of first-half goals, one off a blunder by goalkeeper Brad Guzan, and held on for a 2-1 victory in the Gold Cup semifinals Wednesday night that dealt the Americans their biggest upset defeat.

U.S. head coach Jurgen Klinsmann watched as the U.S. team could not score an equalizing goal late in the match. "Obviously the team is disappointed," he said.
U.S. head coach Jurgen Klinsmann watched as the U.S. team could not score an equalizing goal late in the match. "Obviously the team is disappointed," he said.Read more
    by By Paul Newberry, Associated Press, Inquirer
    Published 

ATLANTA - Jamaica stunned the United States with a pair of first-half goals, one off a blunder by goalkeeper Brad Guzan, and held on for a 2-1 victory in the Gold Cup semifinals Wednesday night that dealt the Americans their biggest upset defeat.

Darren Mattocks put the Reggae Boyz ahead with a 31st-minute header directly off a throw-in. Giles Barnes followed five minutes later with a goal on an 18-yard free kick after Guzan was caught going outside the penalty area on a routine throw.

Michael Bradley scored in the 48th minute for the Americans, but it wasn't enough to prevent a stunning setback in front of sold-out crowd at the Georgia Dome. The small contingent of green-and-gold-clad Jamaican fans saluted their underdog team, which became the first Caribbean nation to reach a Gold Cup final. The Reggae Boyz will face Mexico on Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field.

The 34th-ranked Americans, who had played in five straight Gold Cup finals, will face Panama, the loser of Wednesday's second semifinal, in the third-place game on Saturday. They also will meet the Gold Cup winner in a playoff for the region's berth in the 2017 Confederations Cup.

"Obviously the team is disappointed. The fans are disappointed," U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann said. "We wanted to play in the big final Sunday."

The loss marked the first time the United States was eliminated by a CONCACAF team en route to the Gold Cup final.

Suddenly, Jamaica jumped ahead. Kemar Lawrence got everything on a long throw-in, delivering it perfectly into the box. Mattocks, sandwiched between defenders Ventura Alvarado and John Brooks, leaped up for a dazzling header that caught the underside of the crossbar and dropped beyond the goal line.

Minutes later, Guzan's huge blunder set up Jamaica for a commanding lead.

On a routine throw downfield from the edge of the penalty area, Guzan's right arm went over the line when he let go of the ball. That gave the Jamaica a dangerous free kick, and Barnes hooked a shot over the defensive wall and into the right side of the net, while Guzan was covering the opposite side.

Mexico rallies into final

Andres Guardado converted a penalty kick late in the second half to tie the match and another in the first session of extra time, sending Mexico to a come-from-behind 2-1 win against Panama in the second semifinal in Atlanta.

IN PHILADELPHIA

Third-place game

United States vs. Panama

Saturday at 4 p.m.

PPL Park | FS2

Final

Jamaica vs. Mexico

Sunday at 7:30 p.m.

Lincoln Financial Field | FS1

    By Paul Newberry, Associated Press, Inquirer
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