USMNT Advances to 2024 CONCACAF Nations League Final.
Arlington, Texas (March 21, 2024) – The U.S. Men’s National Team advanced to the 2024 Concacaf Nations League Final in exciting fashion, taking advantage of a second-half stoppage own goal and a Haji Wright brace in extra time to earn a third-straight appearance in the tournament’s title game.
In a nail-biting finish in regular time, team USA kept firing the ball into the Jamaica goal zone, narrowly missing several opportunities and being unable to score from corner kicks.
The U.S. at last found its breakthrough in dramatic fashion, with what appeared to be its very last opportunity of regulation time. After Haji Wright’s cleared cross earned the U.S. a corner, Pulisic delivered an in-swinging ball that found the head of Miles Robinson. Robinson skimmed a header towards the center of the six-yard box and his attempt was deflected just enough by Jamaican forward Cory Burke to skirt past goalie Blake for the last gasp equalizer.
Wright scored the go-ahead goal in the 97th minute during the first period of extra time. Gio Reyna picked up a loose ball just inside the Jamaica half, saw Wright darting through the center of the Jamaican defense, and weighted an inch-perfect, no-look pass to the Coventry City man into the 18-yard box. Wright ran onto the ball, took a touch to his left, and fired the U.S. into the lead. It was Wright’s first goal for the U.S. since scoring in the 2022 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 against Netherlands.
Wright made it a brace in the 109th minute, again on an assist from Reyna. Reyna once again scooped up a loose ball, this time 30 yards from the Jamaica net, and took out a pair of defenders with a through-ball to Wright running in on the left. Wright’s first touch was long, but he collected, turned, and beat Blake to his left to give the U.S. a 3-1 advantage.
The USMNT will now meet the winner of the Mexico-Panama semifinal in the Nations League Final on Sunday, March 24 at 9:15 p.m. ET, with the Third Place Match taking place just prior. Both matches will be shown live on Paramount+ and Univision.
