USMNT Shows Grit and Glory: Pepi’s Brilliance Leads to Historic Jamaica Victory
In a thrilling display of tactical prowess and determination, the United States Men’s National Team secured a crucial 1-0 victory against Jamaica in the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal first leg. On November 14, 2024, the match at Kingston’s National Stadium demonstrated the team’s evolving identity under new manager Mauricio Pochettino.
Ricardo Pepi, the young PSV Eindhoven striker, proved his worth with a stunning fifth-minute goal that ultimately decided the contest. The 21-year-old striker, who had been vocal about his readiness to start, backed up his words with actions, becoming just the fourth player in USMNT history to score 12 goals before turning 22—joining the elite company of Landon Donovan, Jozy Altidore, and Christian Pulisic.
“We were here to fight. We knew it would be tough,” Pepi told reporters after the match. “But we got the result, and now it’s time to finish the job at home.”
The goal came from a brilliant piece of teamwork, with Pulisic threading a clever pass to Pepi, who finished with precision off the far post. This marked Pulisic’s 75th cap for the national team, making him the 33rd player to reach this milestone.
The visitors encountered some difficulties during the match. Matt Turner, the U.S. goalkeeper, faced a dramatic moment when he conceded a penalty in the first half. However, he made amends with a crucial save from Demarai Gray’s spot-kick, maintaining the clean sheet and adding to his impressive record of three penalty saves in a U.S. jersey.
The defensive unit, led by captain Tim Ream, showed remarkable resilience. Ream and Mark McKenzie made several vital blocks, while Yunus Musah’s 66th-minute tackle on Mason Holgate near the U.S. goal proved to be a game-saving intervention.
The starting lineup, averaging 25 years and 328 days, demonstrated the depth of talent at Pochettino’s disposal. The team showed impressive maturity in handling the physical nature of the game, particularly in protecting Pulisic from heavy challenges while maintaining their discipline.
Notable absences included Brenden Aaronson (flu-like symptoms), Aidan Morris (knee sprain), and Tim Weah (suspension). Despite these setbacks, the team’s depth shone through, with the starting XI averaging 38 caps and 22 appearances in official competition.
The victory marks a significant milestone in the U.S. team’s road record, which had been relatively modest at 3-6-5 since 2020. It also positions them favorably for the return leg in St. Louis, where they’ll look to secure their place in the Nations League semifinals.
Looking ahead to the 2026 World Cup cycle, these competitive matches hold special significance. With limited opportunities for meaningful games, the Nations League provides valuable experience for Pochettino to implement his vision and build team chemistry.
The USMNT’s record against Jamaica now stands at 20 wins, 3 losses, and 10 draws in 33 meetings, though this marks their first victory in Kingston since June 2013. The return leg in St. Louis promises to be another intense battle, as history shows that 24 of the 33 matches between these teams have been decided by a goal or less.
As Turner aptly put it after the match, “We’ve got to keep building and move forward.” With this victory, the USMNT has taken a significant step toward both the Nations League semifinals and their longer-term goals under Pochettino’s leadership.