USMNT were saved by Brandon Vazquez’s 88th-minute goal which earned them a 1-1 draw against Jamaica in Gold Cup opener.
The US men’s team faced 63rd-ranked Jamaica on Saturday night as Vazquez helped them to salvage a point in the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
However, the USMNT came back when Jesús Ferreira’s cross hit off defender Dexter Lembikisa to Vazquez, who scored with a right-foot shot from 7 yards for his second international goal.
It was Lowe’s third international goal in 53 international appearances for Jamaica as he beat Matt Turner with a header from 8 yards after Demarai Gray’s free kick.
Lowe was played onside when Matt Miazga dropped back on the restart by Gray who made his debut for Jamaica after switching allegiance from England.
The Americans’ next match is a Wednesday match in St. Louis with 139th-ranked St. Kitts and Nevis who will start their campaign on Sunday against 104 ranked Trinidad and Tobago.
The USMNT which fielded a mostly junior team, had 15 wins in 16 previous Gold Cup openers, they managed a 1-1 draw against Panama in 2015.
The U.S. has 38 wins, five draws, and one loss in the group stage – a 2-1 defeat to Panama in 2011.
Matt Turner, who played on his 29th birthday, was the only U.S. player who was a regular at last year’s World Cup.
The keeper dived in to save a 29th-minute penalty kick by Leon Bailey, who put the rebound wide with his weaker right foot.
The penalty was given when Aidan Morris knocked down Kevon Lambert following a throw-in in the box.
Andre Blake also deflected Jordan Morris’ open shot in first-half stoppage time with his right arm, then blocked Cristian Roldan’s 71st-minute effort with a leg.
B.J. Callaghan, USMNT interim coach, picked eight players from the Major League Soccer.
Alan Soñora and Aiden Morris played their first competitive matches for the U.S., tying the dual nationals to the American team.
CONCACAF Gold Cup
The CONCACAF Gold Cup is the main association football competition of the men’s national football teams governed by CONCACAF, determining the continental champion of North America, Central America, and the Caribbean.
The Gold Cup is held every two years.
The tournament succeeded the CONCACAF Championship (1963–1989), with its inaugural edition being held in 1991.
North American Football Union’s members Canada, United States and Mexico are the only three nations to have won the tournament.
