USA's Jordan Morris (right) eludes Ladale Richie of Jamaica during their international friendly on February 3, 2017, in Chattanooga, Tennessee. (Photo: John Dorton/isiphotos.com)
CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee – Jordan Morris scored the only goal as the United States earned a 1-0 win over visiting Jamaica in an international friendly on Friday night at Finley Stadium. It marked the first victory of Bruce Arena's second tenure in charge of the Americans, who improved to 14W-8D-2L all-time against the Reggae Boyz.
After a first half that saw the host come close to scoring on at least three occasions, Morris netted the game-winner in the 59th minute. A clever combination with Benny Feilhaber saw the Seattle Sounders star beat substitute goalkeeper Ryan Thompson with his right foot from seven-yards out.
The host had at least three chances to score before 40 minutes passed, including Sebastian Lletget’s curling effort from the right side of the box that went wide of the left post in the 39th minute. A minute earlier, starting Jamaica goalkeeper Andre Blake raced out of his goal box to thwart a Morris effort.
The U.S. is preparing for the resumption of the final round of CONCACAF qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup on March 24, when it hosts Honduras in San Jose, California. Jamaica is getting ready for its 2016/17 Scotiabank CFU Men’s Caribbean Cup semifinal against French Guiana on June 22 in Martinique.
NOTES: Bruce Arena is now 72-30-30 all-time as U.S. head coach … FC Dallas star Walker Zimmerman earned his first U.S. cap.
International Friendly
February 3, 2017: Finley Stadium – Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA (Att: 17,903)
USA-Jamaica 1-0 (0-0)
Jordan Morris 58’
USA: Luis Robles (David Bingham 46’); Graham Zusi (Brad Evans 68’), Steve Birnbaum, Walker Zimmerman, Jorge Villafaña (DaMarcus Beasley 86’); Dax McCarty (Darlington Nagbe 63’), Chris Pontius (Alejandro Bedoya 74’), Benny Feilhaber (Michael Bradley 62’), Sebastian Lletget, Jordan Morris, Juan Agudelo. Head Coach: Bruce Arena
Jamaica: Andre Blake (Ryan Thompson 46’); Damion Lowe, Alvas Powell, Sergio Campbell (Ladale Richie 61’), Oniel Fisher, Ewan Grandison (Rosario Harriott 78’), Romario Williams (Jourdain Fletcher 83’), Cory Burke (Shamar Nicholson 83’), Michael Binns, Je-Vaughn Watson, Owayne Gordon (Omar Holness 56’). Head Coach: Theodore Whitmore
R: Jafeth Perea (Panama); AR1: Daniel Williamson (Panama); AR2: Alejandro Camarena (Panama); 4th: Jose Kellys (Panama)
