Jamaica Stuns U.S., 2-1, In Gold Cup Semifinals
ATLANTA (AP) — 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.
Darren Mattocks put the Reggae Boyz ahead with 31st-minute header 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, ranked 76th in the world but now advancing to the Gold Cup final for the first time to face Mexico or Panama.
The Americans, who had played in five straight Gold Cup finals, will face 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.
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