Jamaica edges U.S. on CU17 penalty
Nicholas Nelson (pictured) celebrates after converting the penalty kick that gave Jamaica a 1-0 win over the USA in the CONCACAF Under-17 Championship on March 11, 2015, in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. (Photo: Mexsport)
SAN PEDRO SULA, Honduras -- Nicholas Nelson converted a penalty kick in the 57th minute to boost Jamaica to a 1-0 victory over the United States in the final Group A match for both at the 2015 CONCACAF Under-17 Championship on Wednesday night.
Had the Americans won, they would have clinched a spot in the FIFA U-17 World Cup.
The historic win boosted the Reggae Boyz (3-1-1, 10 points) over the U.S. (3-1-1, 10 points) into the group lead on the strength of the head-to-head result. Host Honduras (2-2-0, 8 points) can end the evening on top of the table, though, with a win over Guatemala (1-1-2, 4 points) in the final game of a tripleheader at the Estadio Francisco Morazan.
The USA enjoyed the better of play in the opening half, but were kept at bay by goalkeeper Jahmali Waite, who thwarted Alejandro Zendejas in the fourth minute and Joshua Perez shortly before the break.
Jamaica was awarded a penalty after U.S. defender Hugo Arrellano was called for a handball in the box off a right-wing cross. As a result, the team captain was awarded his second yellow card of the tournament and will miss the one-game playoff for a spot at Chile 2015.
Nelson converted his kick from the spot, firing his shot into the lower right corner as goalkeeper William Pulisic dived the other way.
The Jamaicans clearly grew stronger in confidence and momentum shifted in their direction. They were more solid on defense, consistently cutting down the passing lanes and frustrating the Americans through four minutes of stoppage time.
The U.S., Jamaica and Honduras have booked spots for at least Sunday's playoff stage, but won’t know their opposition until the completion of Group B play on Thursday evening. Mexico, Costa Rica and Canada have already clinched the trio of berths from that group.