SANTA CLARA, California — It was another case of so near but yet so far as Jamaica suffered a 1-2 loss to the United States of America in the CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament final here inside Levi’s Stadium last night.

Jozy Altidore on the stroke of half-time gave the hosts the lead, but Je-Vaughn Watson replied for Jamaica five minutes after the restart, and just when the game appeared headed for extra-time, Jordan Morris popped up on top of the penalty box to slam home for the Americans with just one minute of normal time remaining.

Victory gave the Americans their sixth hold of the title, one behind Mexico, with Canada — the only other winner of the competition which completed its 14th edition yesterday.

The Americans, who had refreshed their squad with six players at the end of the preliminary stage, looked the stronger team throughout and dominated possessional play.

And in their first serious attempt on goal, Jamaican Captain Andre Blake proved his status as the outstanding goalkeeper of the tournament when he pulled off yet another brilliant double save, but it cost Jamaica and robbed the 63,032 spectators inside the venue of his talent as the inspirational skipper was forced off the field with what appeared a finger injury.

It was 19 minutes on the clock when he palmed away a screaming drive from Altidore, who had been given time and space to shoot. The outstanding Blake put his body on the line to smother the follow-up effort from Darlington Nagbe when he got hurt. He later won the Golden Glove award.

The hosts took the lead in the 45th minute when striker Altidore curled home a peach of a free kick from 28 yards centre of goal after Romario Williams had fouled US Captain Michael Bradley.

The strike gave substitute goalkeeper Dwayne Miller no chance.

Jamaica got back into the game when Watson slammed home at the back post from a Kemar Lawrence right-sided corner.

But as the game progressed the Americans got stronger and started to get in behind the Jamaican back line with more frequency, and their territorial dominance finally paid rich dividends when Morris booted home.

The Americans receive US$1 million, the gold trophy and gold medals, while the Reggae Boyz, for the second consecutive tournament, walked away with US$500,000 and silver medals.

Teams:

Jamaica – Andre Blake (Dwayne Miller 23rd), Damion Lowe, Ladale Richie (Kevon Lambert 87th), Alvas Powell, Oniel Fisher, Darren Mattocks (Cory Burke 90th+), Je-Vaughn Watson, Owayne Gordon, Kemar Lawrence, Jermaine Taylor, Romario Williams.

Subs not used: Rosario Harriott, Sergio Campbell, Shaun Francis, Ewan Grandison, Michael Binns, Shamar Nicholson, Jermaine Johnson, Ricardo Morris, Damion Hyatt

Booked: Mattocks (32nd), Richie (57th),

USA – Tim Howard, Jorge Villafana, Omar Gonzalez, Matt Besler, Jordan Morris, Graham Zusi, Paul Arriola (Gyasi Zradez 76th), Kellyn Acosta (Clint Dempsey 55th), Darlington Nagbe (Dax McCarty 90th+), Michael Bradley, Jozy Altidore.

Subs not used: Matt Miazga, Chris Pontius, Joe Corona, Bill Hamid, Eric Lichaj, Justin Morrow, Juan Agudelo, Matt Hedges, Jesse Gonzalez

Booked: Acosta (37th), Zusi (76th), Howard (90th+)

Referee: Walter Lopez (Guatemala)

Assistant Referees: Gerson Lopez (Guatemala), Hermenerito Leal (Guatemala)

Fourth Official: Ricardo Montero (Costa Rica)

Match Commissioner: Cheney Joseph (Grenada)