Kingston, Jamaica – The USMNT draw Jamaica after the USMNT played through an emotional 90 minutes and then some on Friday night against Mexico, they traveled down to Kingston to take on the Reggae Boyz, a team fighting to get themselves back in the Qualifying picture. Despite the USMNT early lead through Tim Weah, Michael Antonio’s wonder-strike gave Jamaica a draw, in a match they surely should’ve won.
USMNT draw Jamaica
When the final whistle blew in Kingston, there should have been a collective sigh of relief from the USMNT. Frustration can set in later, but in that moment, they officially escaped with a result they didn’t really earn. The word “earn” implies something positive happened to get the result. In this case, escape is the much better verb to describe what happened.
Michael Antonio’s goal left jaws dropped and really no fault to be levied against the USMNT.
MICHAIL ANTONIO. THERE WAS NO STOPPING THAT. 😳
His second goal in three appearances for Jamaica 🇯🇲 pic.twitter.com/r6uK1XUCkZ
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) November 16, 2021
In the second half, a really poor Chris Richards clearance saw the ball land at Bobby Reid’s feet inside the six. With the entire goal to shoot at he instead launched it over the cross bar. In the 85th minute, Damion Lowe’s fairly won header over Walker Zimmerman was headed into the goal, but before the ball was in, the head referee whistled what he deemed was a foul on Lowe to win that header over Zimmerman. Replay shows the USMNT was very happy VAR didn’t exist.
Should this goal have stood? Or was that push off/hold down of Zimmerman worthy of a foul for you? #JAMvUSA | 1-1 | #USMNT pic.twitter.com/us7sxcyIyl
— Last Word on Soccer (@LastWordSC) November 16, 2021
Regardless, the USMNT escaped after what was yet another low energy performance on the road in CONCACAF. In the 4 road matches the USMNT have played so far, we’re talking about one good half of soccer out of 8. To their luck, it has only resulted in one loss so far. It probably should’ve been two tonight.
The next qualifying window takes place at the end of January which will see the USMNT host El Salvador and travel to Canada. Prior to the rest of the window’s matches, the USMNT still sits in first in the CONCACAF standings.
