Gold Cup Final: Jozy Altidore’s free-kick goal gives USA 1-0 early lead

The USMNT are looking to win the Gold Cup Final over Jamaica and so far, so good. Before the end of the first half, Jozy Altidore scores on a free kick.

The United States were heading into the Gold Cup Final with heavy expectations of winning, especially with the surprise elimination of Mexico in the Gold Cup semifinal.

The situation got a little easier for the USMNT when Jamaica’s goalkeeper, Andre Blake, went down early in the first half after being kicked in the hand.

22 minutes in, Jamaica had to use their backup goalkeeper, Dwayne Miller, who wasn’t nearly as experienced as the starter. The United States were knocking on the door and eventually got a golden opportunity on a free kick right outside the box.

Jozy Altidore and Michael Bradley huddled for a quick second and the USA didn’t use any form of trickery. No. 27 for the United States took a quick two steps and was able to bend it over the defenders and past the goalkeeper.

Miller put a hand on it, but it wasn’t enough, as it hit the crossbar and managed to find the back of the net. It sent the Levi’s Stadium crowd into oblivion, as the United States went up 1-0 on Jamaica at the 44th minute.

Next: Gold Cup final: 5 players to watch

With that goal, Altidore scored the 39th goal of his career and the second of this CONCACAF Gold Cup. Heading into halftime, it was good for the United States to switch the pressure onto Jamaica and force them to come out more aggressive.

Already using a substitute on their goalie and in hostile conditions, Jamaica might be in unfamiliar territory. Let’s see how Jamaica and their young group will react in the second half, as they try to find the equalizing goal. They didn’t get any opportunities in the first half, but as we all know, it just takes one. For now, it’s 1-0 USA off of Altidore’s right foot.