USMNT hope to bounce back vs St. Kitts and Nevis after draw against Jamaica

The United States Men’s National Team got off to a bit of a rocky start at the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup. The USA were very disjointed in their first match against a very strong Jamaica side. Luckily for the USMNT, striker Brandon Vazquez was able to salvage a late equalizing goal. Now with one point after one match, the USA looks for their first win against St. Kitts and Nevis.

USMNT salvage a point against a strong Jamaican side

In the opening match of the Gold Cup, the USMNT was hardly able to show any kind of team chemistry. The XI chosen to start the game had little to no experience playing with one another. It showed in the way that Jamaica was able to get the upper hand in the match in the early stages.

Someone that Philadephia Union fans will recognize scored the opening goal. Jamaican centerback Damion Lowe was able to head home a cross from Demari Gray in the 13th minute to stun the US. Jamaica looked to be cruising just over 10 minutes later it looked like Jamaica would have a second goal.

Aidan Morris chopped down a Jamacain in the box and conceded a penalty. Leon Bailey stepped up to take it, but his attempt was stopped by USA keeper Matt Turner. There was a big rebound that fell to Baily but he sliced his second attempt wide. The USMNT dodged a bullet, but the tides wouldn’t turn until the second half.

In the second half, the USA had some chances but failed to have any real bite to their attack. Luckily, a substitute striker Brandon Vazguez was able to find the back of the net with just minutes left in the game. Another good attack was sprung by the USMNT, which led to a good crossing opportunity. The cross sent in was blocked by a Jamaican defender but fell right to the foot of Vazquez who hammered home the opportunity.

With the late goal, both nations would split points in Group A play. Now they both set their sites on their second match. For the USMNT, that meant preparing for a preliminary qualifier, St. Kitts and Nevis.

Can the USA get their first win vs St. Kitts and Nevis?

It was clear to see that the USMNT side was not used to playing with one another. That is something that will happen when the team calls in an inexperienced squad of what many are calling the B or C-team. However, this team of fringe national team players has the talent to make a run and even win this competition.

While the first match showed just how much room for improvement there is with this squad, the USMNT can go nowhere but up from here. The match against Jamaica could be their toughest of this entire tournament; getting a draw from it could just be the rallying cry that sparks this team on a run to greatness. That spark will need to catch in their next math against St. Kitts and Nevis.

St. Kitts and Nevis has to go through preliminary rounds last week to get into the Gold Cup Group Stage, and their first match of Group A play showed their formidable yet fragile. In their first game against Trinidad and Tobago, St. Kitts and Nevis held their own for almost the entire first half. They let in a goal just before halftime and never recovered, conceding two in the second half as well.

For this upcoming match, the USMNT needs to be quick on the ball, and ruthless with their chances; if they can do this, they will be able to win the match by multiple goals.

USA vs St. Kitts and Nevis; tonight at 10 pm EST

The USMNT’s second match of the 2023 Group stage takes place tonight at 10 pm EST. This inexperienced USA side is looking to build off their dramatic come-from-behind effort against Jamaica where they salvaged a draw. Now the momentum is swinging for this young US side against a team that they are expected to best.

As the USMNT is ready for their match against St. Kitts and Nevis in St. Louis, they will see the opportunity they have in front of them. If this USMNT side can get a much-needed big win in dominating fashion, then they may just swing the momentum in their favor to win the group. This would create a chain reaction that could see them playing their best soccer at the best time at this Gold Cup!