An early goal from Ricardo Pepi gave the United States the win, who struggled to keep score, especially in the second half.
Trainer for Argentina Mauricio Pochettino Last Thursday he achieved his first victory in an official game as a coach United States of America by beating Jamaica 0-1 in the first round of the quarter-finals of the Concacaf League of Nations.
A goal from Ricardo Pepi in the 5th minute was enough for the USA to win at National Stadium Independence Kingston Park.
Ricardo Pepi celebrates the goal with his teammates. Photos by Brad Smith/ISI/USSF/Getty Images for the USSF
The second game will be played this Monday at the Energizer Park of St. Louis (Missouri, USA).
The USA has won the trophy in the three editions of the Concacaf Nations League that have taken place so far.
Although this was Pochettino’s first official game, the coach made his debut on the US bench with two friends in October: they beat Panama 2-0 and lost to Mexico with the same result.
Tonight’s winning goal for the Stars and Stripes team came thanks to a well screened pass from Christian Pulisic, who received a Child who sent the ball into the net with a tight cross.
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Another of the names of the game for USA was goalkeeper Matt Turner, who saved a penalty kick in the first half to give his team a 0-1 lead.
The worst news was the injury of Johnny Cardoso, since the Betis player, who started tonight with USA, had to leave the field in the 21st minute and be replaced by Malik Tillman.
Jamaica ended up with ten men when Mason Holgate was sent off in the 86th minute.
Pochettino was announced on September 10 as coach, replacing Gregg Berhalter and will lead the North American team towards the main event in 2026, when the USA organizes the World Cup together with Mexico and Canada.
What strategies might Mauricio Pochettino implement to improve the U.S. men’s national soccer team?
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Soccer Expert
Time.news Editor: Welcome to our special segment on soccer insights! Today, we’re diving into the recent achievements of the United States men’s national team and their new coach, Mauricio Pochettino. Joining us is soccer expert, Dr. Mia Rodriguez. Welcome, Dr. Rodriguez!
Dr. Mia Rodriguez: Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to discuss the evolving landscape of U.S. soccer, especially with such exciting developments.
Time.news Editor: Let’s start with the big news: the U.S. team’s win against Jamaica in the Concacaf League of Nations. What did you think of Ricardo Pepi’s early goal securing the 1-0 victory?
Dr. Mia Rodriguez: That goal from Pepi was crucial! Scoring so early in the match not only set the tone but also provided the team with a psychological advantage. It allowed them to dictate the pace of the game, even if they struggled to finish in the second half.
Time.news Editor: Indeed, it seems like maintaining that early momentum was challenging. What do you attribute the U.S. team’s struggles in the latter part of the game to?
Dr. Mia Rodriguez: Several factors could be at play. Firstly, game fatigue can set in, especially if the team doesn’t have the depth in their squad to rotate players. Additionally, Jamaica put in a solid effort, pressing higher, which made it difficult for the U.S. to maintain possession. It’s something they’ll need to work on moving forward.
Time.news Editor: Speaking of moving forward, this was Mauricio Pochettino’s first official game as the U.S. coach. What are your thoughts on his impact so far?
Dr. Mia Rodriguez: Pochettino brings a wealth of experience from top leagues in Europe. His tactical awareness and focus on high pressing will likely transform U.S. soccer positively. However, establishing his style takes time, and his success will depend on how quickly the players adapt and buy into his philosophy.
Time.news Editor: This victory also marks a good start for Pochettino after his debut with two friendly wins in October. How important do you think it is for a new coach to start with positive results?
Dr. Mia Rodriguez: It’s tremendously important. Early victories help build confidence among the players and can sway public and fan opinion in favor of the coach. It can set a foundation for the team’s performance in competitive matches, like the upcoming game against Jamaica and beyond.
Time.news Editor: Speaking of the next match, the U.S. will be playing at Energizer Park in St. Louis this Monday. What should we expect from this game?
Dr. Mia Rodriguez: Expect an intense crowd and a team more determined to build on their recent success. The U.S. will aim to solidify their dominance in the Concacaf Nations League, having already won the trophy in all previous editions. They’ll likely want to refine their game and exploit any weaknesses they perceive in the Jamaican side.
Time.news Editor: Great insights! Before we wrap up, what are the key takeaways you think we should keep an eye on as this tournament progresses?
Dr. Mia Rodriguez: I think it’s crucial to watch how the U.S. develops under Pochettino, particularly in terms of their tactical structure and depth of the squad. Additionally, the performance of emerging stars like Pepi will be pivotal as they grow into their roles. It’s an exciting time for U.S. soccer, and I believe they could make a strong impact in this tournament.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Dr. Rodriguez, for your valuable analysis today! We appreciate your insights and look forward to seeing how the U.S. team performs in the coming matches.
Dr. Mia Rodriguez: Thank you for having me! It’s always exciting to talk about soccer, and I can’t wait to see how things unfold.
Time.news Editor: And that concludes our segment! Stay tuned for more updates on the U.S. national team and all things soccer.