One day, the senior Reggae Boyz may eventually compete in the Concacaf Nations League title final, but not yet.

The Jamaicans, who had done everything right until nearly the end of stoppage time, were defeated 3-1 in extra time by the United States in the competition’s semi-finals on Thursday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Greg Leigh scored a spectacular header at the far post in the first minute of play to put Jamaica ahead, but an own goal by Corey Burke in the 90+6 minute allowed the Americans to tie the game in the final play.

Haji Wright then punished the Jamaicans by scoring two goals in each half of extra time. He scored for the defending champions in the 96th and 109th minutes, with Gio Reyna providing both assists.

The Reggae Boyz couldn’t have hoped for a better start to the game than when Bobby Reid’s wonderful cross found the head of Leigh, eliciting great euphoria among Jamaican supporters, staff, and players. Although the United States dominated the proceedings, the Jamaicans held their own, remaining disciplined in all aspects to conclude the first half with a 1-0 lead.

The Americans were expected to come out on the resumption of the attack, and they did. They had multiple set-piece opportunities but were unable to find a way past the Jamaicans.

In the 50th minute, the United States could have tied the game if Malik Tillman had latched on to Reyna’s through pass inside the box. Christian Pulisic and Reyna made multiple attempts to find the back of the net for the Americans, but the Reggae Boyz, led by Captain Andre Blake, stood firm to defend their crown.

Ricardo Pepi should have scored for the Americans, but his close-range attempt in the 90th minute was saved by Blake, who was quite active throughout the game. The Reggae Boyz had their own chances, with Renaldo Cephas going one on one with an American defender in the 63rd minute but sending his shot over the crossbar.

When it appeared that all was over and the Jamaicans could begin to celebrate as history was being made, the Americans’ corner kick caught Burke off guard, and he headed into his own net, spoiling what could have been the largest party in Jamaican football history.

The Americans didn’t take long in the first half of extra time to punish the Jamaicans, as Wright, who got a through pass from Reyna, cut to his left and scored superbly, stabbing the Jamaicans where it hurt the most, with only six minutes played in the half.

The Jamaicans took the reins in the second half of the extra time, with a couple of shots on the Americans’ goal, but none of the attackers were successful.

Wight then put the game to bed when he was allowed to pause and turn before leading the United States to victory over Jamaica.

The United States will play either Mexico or Panama in Sunday’s final. That match was yet to start at press time.