USA vs. Jamaica Final Score: Americans Escape Late Scare By Reggae Boyz With Brad Evans Heroics

The United States men’s national team needed a big win in Kingston against Jamaica to improve their current standing in the CONCACAF hexagonal. Jamaica entered the night at the bottom of the rankings, so the opportunity was their for the United States to earn some very important points and get a step closer to earning one of three automatic qualifying bids for the 2014 World Cup in Rio.

If the Americans remain in fourth-place, they will face New Zealand in a playoff for the final qualifying bid.

So how did it all go down on Friday night?

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Over the opening minutes, the United States controlled possession of the ball and were able to get the clearer opportunities. When the thirtieth minute of the first half came, Jozy Altidore got the Yankees on the scoreboard with a clear strike. Funny enough, the goal from Jozy Altidore came at almost the exact same time that the Bruins got their goal in the third period of Game 4 against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The one goal lead for United States held up for the remainder of the first half and in to the second.

Jermaine Jones went down just ten minutes in to the second half after being struck with an unintentional elbow from Jamaican defender Daniel Gordon. Jones walked off the field under his own pressure, but he looked to be in obvious pain after taking the shot to the head. A few minutes later it was announced from the sidelines that Jones had suffered a concussion.

Following the injury, the United States began using long balls to drain the clock while Jamaica was desperately seeking a chance on the offensive end. The Reggae Boyz were unable to put together any threatening possessions until a set play that cost the Americans.

Jermaine Beckford hit the equalizer in the 89th minute  after a header off of The Reggae Boyz caught Tim Howard off guard and hit the back of the net.

After a few corner kicks from Jamaica threatened the United States, Jamaica gave up a corner kick that the Americans took advantage of when Bradley Evans quickly turned and netted the game-winner in stoppage time. He was the most unlikely of heroes, but he saved the Americans from a devastating loss and losing out on two key points in qualifiers.

The United States has two upcoming qualifiers against Panama and Honduras in the coming weeks. They will need to show up with a lot more intensity against higher quality opponents. It wasn’t a great performance by the Americans in Kingston, but they were able to come away with the result they had hoped for.

The late goal by Evans may have saved the Americans chances of clinching a World Cup berth.