Brandon Vazquez grabbed a late equalizer as the USMNT’s de facto B-team battled to earn a 1-1 draw with Jamaica in the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup opener on Saturday.
[ MORE: Gregg Berhalter named USMNT head coach again ]
The defending American champions will conclude group play with games against St. Kitts and Nevis (June 28) and Trinidad and Tobago (July 2).
The USMNT went down in the 13th minute, as Everton winger and new Reggae Boy Demarai Gray marked his debut with an assist. Gray floated a long free kick towards the near post, where Damion Lowe rose above the rest to bury a header past Matt Turner and give Jamaica a 1-0 lead.
[ MORE: Premier League Summer Series coming to USA in 2023 ]
Things almost went from bad to worse for the USMNT in the 27th minute, when Aidan Morris booted an opposing player in the stomach in a failed attempt to clear the ball. The foul resulted in a penalty kick being awarded to Jamaica, but Matt Turner, who wore the captain’s armband on his birthday on Saturday, denied Leon Bailey to keep it a one-goal game.
After 60 minutes, Turner’s save paid off in a big way. The move started with Jesus Ferreira lifting a cross to the back post where it headed, but not away. The ball fell to Brandon Vazquez in a small pocket of space, and the FC Cincinnati striker smashed it home just six minutes after coming off the bench.
Stars of the show
Latest USMNT news
The upcoming schedule of the USMNT – Gold Cup, friends 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup: Schedule, groups for the USMNT, Mexico, Canada Kevin Paredes of the USMNT, 12 Premier League players on the Golden Boy list
USMNT vs. Jamaica, final score: 1-1
13th minute – Damion Lowe heads in a free kick to give Jamaica an early lead
29th minute – Matt Turner saves Leon Bailey’s penalty kick to keep the USMNT alive
88th minute – Brandon Vazquez was in the right place at the right time to make it 1-1
How to watch USMNT vs Jamaica live, stream link and start time
Kickoff: 10 pm ET, Saturday
TV channel, streaming in English: FS1
TV channel, streaming in Spanish: Univision
USMNT Schedule – 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup
against Jamaica**** — June 24, 9:30 pm ET — Chicago, Illinois
against St. Kitts and Nevis**** — June 28, 9:30 pm ET — St. Louis, Missouri
against Trinidad and Tobago**** — July 2, 7pm ET — Charlotte, North Carolina
USMNT grabs late equalizer against Jamaica in Gold Cup opener originally appeared on NBCSports.com
