Watch: Jordan Morris’ Late Goal Lifts U.S. To 2-1 Win Vs Jamaica In Gold Cup Final

by Pablo MenaJuly 27, 2017, 11:59 amDaily Digest, News, Z-Home Slider >

Jordan Morris scored in the 88th minute on Wednesday night to propel the U.S. Men’s National Team to a 2-1 victory over Jamaica in the CONCACAF Gold Cup Final at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

USMNT Jamaica Gold Cup Final SCORES

The 22-year-old Seattle Sounders forward netted after taking an assist from Clint Dempsey. Gyasi Zardes raced down the right sideline and crossed into the middle of the box, where the ball was only partially cleared. Dempsey managed to knock it down with his heel — following a Jamaican defender’s header deflection — right into the path of an onrushing Morris, who fired a shot through a crowd of Jamaican defenders and into goalkeeper Dwayne Miller’s top right corner. Morris also scored in the U.S.’s final group stage victory against Martinique.

Two minutes before that goal, a free-kick from Dempsey bounced off the Jamaica wall and deflected off Morris in the box. The ball then fell to Matt Besler, who fired a shot that Miller saved.

The U.S. has now won six Gold Cup titles: only Mexico has won the tournament more times (seven), while Canada has won once. The game also marked the second straight time Jamaica finished as runner-up in the Gold Cup, after the country lost to Mexico in the 2015 tournament.

The Americans’ captain Michael Bradley won the Golden Boot despite playing only three of the six games.

The U.S. dominated possession for most of the match (73 percent, according to ESPN). Bradley was fouled about 30 yards from goal just before halftime after a nice buildup through midfield. On the ensuing free-kick in the 45th minute, Jozy Altidore curled fantastic shot over Jamaica’s wall and inside Miller’s top left corner to give the U.S. a 1-0 lead at the break. The goal marked Altidore’s 39th career international goal, fourth all-time in the Gold Cup and third against Jamaica.

Jamaica equalized four minutes after halftime when the visitors capitalized on a dead ball situation after earning a corner kick. On that play, Kemar Lawrence fired a perfect strike to the back post, and Je-Vaughn Watson beat Morris to connect with a volley and make it 1-1.

Tim Howard made two saves for the U.S. to earn his 61st victory.

Manager Bruce Arena is now the only head coach to lead the USMNT to three Gold Cup titles, having previously guided the Americans to trophies in 2002 and 2005. Arena’s all-time record against Jamaica is 6-0-5.

The USA is 15-2-8 all-time vs. Jamaica and 12-1-3 at home.

The Americans next play Costa Rica at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey on Sept. 1 for the first game of the final round of 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifying, and then travel to face Honduras on Sept. 5 before playing Panama and Trinidad & Tobago in October.

SANTA CLARA, CA – JULY 26: #8 Jordan Morris of the United States celebrates scoring a goal against the Jamaica during the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup Final at Levi’s Stadium on July 26, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)