USA 1-1 Jamaica: Brandon Vazquez scores late equalizer as USMNT avoid defeat in Chicago Gold Cup opener after Matt Turner saves penalty
- The US had a hard time on Saturday when they named a new-looking starting lineup
- But Brandon Vazquez saved a point with a late close range finish
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The defense of the US Gold Cup title began on Saturday night with a 1-1 draw against Jamaica in Chicago.
Jamaica took the lead through Damion Lowe in the 13th minute, when Reggae Boyz debutant Demarai Gray netted in a free kick for the defender.
When American midfielder Aidan Morris conceded a penalty later at half-time, Leon Bailey had a chance to put the visitors ahead 2-0.
But the Aston Villa winger dropped his lines badly and sent his penalty kick at a perfect height for year-old Matt Turner to save before also firing a rebound wide.
“For us, he just comes at an important time,” interim coach BJ Callaghan said of Turner on FOX after the game. ‘And you expect that from big players.’
Damion Lowe celebrates after a header for Jamaica and a 1-0 lead
Leon Bailey had a chance to put the Reggae Boyz ahead 2-0 from the spot in the 29th minute
But his effort was easily saved by Matt Turner before Bailey also missed a rebound
Brandon Vazquez gave the USMNT a late equalizer with a close-range finish in the 88th minute
That sequence seemed to revitalize the crowd at Soldier Field in Chicago, but it would be some time before the US found the tying run.
Brandon Vazquez pounced on a bad clearance in the 88th minute to give the USA a point and the striker – now tied with the USA (he was also eligible for Mexico) – isn’t the only player to impress from the bench.
In fact, Callaghan praised almost every substitute after the game, including Cristian Roldan, Djordje Mihailovic and centre-back Jalen Neal, who replaced the injured Aaron Long at half-time.
Cade Cowell also injected energy into the game after his introduction, and it was his cross from the left wing that gave Roldan a golden opportunity from about six yards out, which Jamaica’s keeper Andre Blake saved in the 71st minute.
Similar to the team’s 2021 Gold Cup run, the USA selected an almost all-new squad after their Nations League victory.
From Saturday’s starting lineup, Turner was the lone player to also start in last week’s Nations League Final vs. Canada, while Alex Zendejas and Alan Sonora were also part of the roster for that tournament.
The USMNT will face Saint Kitts and Nevis on Wednesday before concluding the group stage against Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday.