There was drama surrounding the United States men's national team as coach Bob Bradley decided to bench Landon Donovan, but none of that seemed to matter after the U.S. moved within two wins of winning the Gold Cup.
Jermaine Jones scored the first goal, Clint Dempsey added to the total and Donovan eventually got back on his coach's good side as the Americans advanced to the semifinals with a 2-0 over Jamaica Sunday afternoon at RFK Stadium.
The U.S. will play either Panama or Salvadore Wednesday in Houston.
Jones put the Americans on the board in the 49th minute with a shot from outside the box that took a mean deflection off a Jamaican defender into the back of the net. It was his first goal of the Gold Cup for the U.S., which improved to 3-0-1 in the tournament.
Dempsey broke out of a strange slump 31 minutes later to all but end the game, scoring off a nice assist from Juan Agudelo, who replaced the injured Jozy Altidore early in the first half. Dempsey, who missed a couple easy goals in the previous game, easily beat goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts.
The Reggae Boyz had their best opportunity to score in the opening minutes, but U.S. keeper Tim Howard made an incredible save on an attempt by Ryan Johnson, who missed from just four yards out. The rebound was booted over the net.
Altidore came out with a hamstring injury early in the first half after attempting to get position on a ball over the top. Agudelo, who had lost his starting job up front following his team's loss to Panama in its second Group C game, looked solid in his place as the lone U.S. striker.
In a disciplinary decision by Bradley, Donovan was on the bench to open the game. The 29-year-old midfielder had left the team to attend his sister's wedding on Saturday but did not return to the D.C. area until around 7 a.m. ET on Sunday. Dempsey also left the team to attend a wedding in Texas but was back last night.
Sacha Kljestan and Alejandro Bedoya started in favor of Donovan and Chris Wondolowski, who didn't even make it on the bench after starting against Guadeloupe. Freddy Adu made the bench for the first time in the tournament but didn't play.
Donovan entered the game in the 66th minute to a loud roar from the crowd.
Jamaica played with 10 men for the closing minutes after Jermaine Taylor tripped up Jones in the 66th minute.
Jermaine Jones scored the first goal, Clint Dempsey added to the total and Donovan eventually got back on his coach's good side as the Americans advanced to the semifinals with a 2-0 over Jamaica Sunday afternoon at RFK Stadium.
The U.S. will play either Panama or Salvadore Wednesday in Houston.
Jones put the Americans on the board in the 49th minute with a shot from outside the box that took a mean deflection off a Jamaican defender into the back of the net. It was his first goal of the Gold Cup for the U.S., which improved to 3-0-1 in the tournament.
Dempsey broke out of a strange slump 31 minutes later to all but end the game, scoring off a nice assist from Juan Agudelo, who replaced the injured Jozy Altidore early in the first half. Dempsey, who missed a couple easy goals in the previous game, easily beat goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts.
Altidore came out with a hamstring injury early in the first half after attempting to get position on a ball over the top. Agudelo, who had lost his starting job up front following his team's loss to Panama in its second Group C game, looked solid in his place as the lone U.S. striker.
In a disciplinary decision by Bradley, Donovan was on the bench to open the game. The 29-year-old midfielder had left the team to attend his sister's wedding on Saturday but did not return to the D.C. area until around 7 a.m. ET on Sunday. Dempsey also left the team to attend a wedding in Texas but was back last night.
Sacha Kljestan and Alejandro Bedoya started in favor of Donovan and Chris Wondolowski, who didn't even make it on the bench after starting against Guadeloupe. Freddy Adu made the bench for the first time in the tournament but didn't play.
Donovan entered the game in the 66th minute to a loud roar from the crowd.
Jamaica played with 10 men for the closing minutes after Jermaine Taylor tripped up Jones in the 66th minute.
