Last-second equalizer, Wright brace rally USA past Jamaica

ARLINGTON, Texas – The United States scored in the final seconds of regular time and then got a Haji Wright brace in extra time to rally past Jamaica 3-1 in the semifinals of the 2023-24 Concacaf Nations League Finals on Thursday evening at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

The Reggae Boyz were on the verge of securing a place in Sunday’s Final, but an own goal deep in second half stoppage time forced the extra time period, in which the reigning champions pulled through with two goals from Wright.

Jamaica could not have asked for a better start, as they took a 1-0 lead after just 31 seconds when Bobby Reid floated a cross deep in the U.S. area and Leigh soared high in the air at the back post, smacking a header home for the goal. It was the fastest goal scored in CNL Finals history.

The U.S. tried to respond but found it very difficult trying to break down the Jamaican defense. The first good look at a goal came in the 21’ on a counterattack led by Folarin Balogun, who slid a pass over to Christian Pulisic, but the shot was blocked.

The Reggae Boyz were very comfortable absorbing pressure from the U.S., whose only other chance before halftime was Malik Tillman pushing a shot wide.

The U.S. looked to equalize to start the second stanza, but it was Jamaica who nearly got the next goal on two separate occasions when Renaldo Cephas was denied by U.S. GK Matt Turner and then Kasey Palmer shot over the crossbar with Turner out of position.

The final 20 minutes saw Jamaica stoutly defend, denying the U.S. at every turn. The U.S. would get one final crack before the full-time whistle, as a corner kick taken by Pulisic was headed by Miles Robinson, with the ball then deflecting off the head of Jamaica’s Cory Burke and into the Jamaican net for the dramatic 1-1 equalizer.

The last-second score sparked the U.S. in extra time and they would take a 2-1 lead in the 95’ when Gio Reyna slipped a pass into Wright, who fought off a defender and scored.

Those two hooked up again in the 109’, with Reyna playing into Wright, who spun and fired into net to complete the 3-1 scoreline.