KINGSTON, Jamaica – The United States beat 10-man Jamaica 1-0 in Thursday’s first leg of their Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal at the National Stadium in Kingston.

A fifth-minute goal from Ricardo Pepi was the difference between the teams that will meet in the return leg on Monday in the USA.

The Reggae Boyz finished with 10 men after Mason Holgate was sent off in the 86th minute after picking up a second yellow card in what was the first loss for coach Steve McClaren.

The Americans who were playing their first competitive game under new coach Mauricio Pochettino took advantage of a slow starting Jamaican team who allowed the PSV Eindhoven player space on the right hand side and he fired into the far corner of the goal.

Jamaica had several chances to at least draw level but missed them, the best of which came via a penalty kick in the 14th minute after US goalkeeper Matt Turner took down Shamar Nicholson in the box after the big Jamaican striker had powered his way through the defence. However, Demarai Gray’s spot kick was saved by Turner.

It was a better second half for the Jamaicans as they managed to get behind the US defenders but despite their best efforts, came up short.
-Paul A Reid