Pepi goal lifts US over Jamaica 1-0 in CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal first leg
Ricardo Pepi scored from Christian Pulisic’s pass in the fifth minute, Matt Turner saved a penalty kick and the United States won 1-0 at Jamaica in a CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal first leg, the Americans’ first competitive match under coach Mauricio Pochettino
Ricardo Pepi put the United States in good position to advance to the CONCACAF Nations League semifinals, scoring an early goal for a 1-0, first-leg win against Jamaica at Kingston on Thursday night in coach Mauricio Pochettino's first competitive match.
“We were here to fight. We knew it was going to be difficult,” Pepi said. “At the end of the day we got the result and now it's time to go and take care of it at home.”
The second leg of the total-goals quarterfinal is Monday in St. Louis, and the winner advances to a March 20 semifinal at Inglewood, California. The United States won the first three editions of the tournament.
“In a difficult situation, they competed really well,” Pochettino said. “Of course, we need to improve in all the areas.”
