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The USMNT advanced to the CONCACAF Nations League final with a 3-1 overtime victory over Jamaica on Thursday night.
Greg Leigh scored 30 seconds in for the 57th-ranked Reggae Boyz, and the No. 13 Americans were on the verge of losing their third straight game.
Instead, they eventually equalized deep into stoppage time when Miles Robinson’s header was deflected by Jamaican Corey Burke into his own net.
Wright then scored in the sixth and 19th minutes of overtime as the United States tried to win the Nations League for the third time in a row on Sunday.
Both of Wright’s goals were scored by Gio Reyna, who came on early in the second half after being limited to 42 minutes in four substitute appearances for Nottingham Forest since his loan from Borussia Dortmund in January.
The disappointing performances come just three months before the United States host the Copa America and offer a worrying glimpse into their chances of success.
Haji Wright scored twice for the USMNT as they advanced to the Nations League final
Wright came off the bench to pull the USMNT in front after scoring a late equalizer.
Jamaica took a shock lead after just 30 seconds thanks to Gregory Leigh after some poor defending
This unconvincing victory comes just three months before the United States hosts the Copa America.
Four minutes of second-half stoppage time were originally called, then five later, and the clock was at 5:25 when Christian Pulisic’s corner at the near post was headed in by Robinson.
THE ball deflected by Jamaican striker Burke and former goalkeeper Andre Blakethe Americans’ last goal since Ricardo Clark scored in the seventh minute of stoppage time to beat Venezuela 1-0 in a 2012 exhibition.
Wright, whose extra-time goal last weekend sent Coventry City into the FA Cup semi-finals, was a late injury substitute on the roster and had not played for the United States since the World Cup 2022.
He came on in the 63rd minute and scored after the ball was knocked away by Pulisic. Reyna collected the ball just past the center circle by Reyna and sent a through ball to Wright, who cut left to create space and got past Blake.
Then, Reyna collected a ball from Keroy Anderson and made another incisive pass through the defense. Wright turned to control the ball and scored from 8 yards out for his fourth goal in eight international matches.
Leigh put Jamaica ahead after a throw-in deflected by Antonee Robinson to Fulham teammate Bobby De Cordova-Reid, who fired the ball past Chris Richards and across the goal.
Leigh was unmarked by Joe Scally and headed the ball between goalkeeper Matt Turner and the post for his first goal in 13 international appearances.
Scally started at right-back in place of Sergino Dest, who was suspended following his red card for an argument with the referee against Trinidad and Tobago in November.
Cory Burke (9) reacts after deflecting the ball into his own net to give the Americans hope
Gio Reyna came off the bench and shined, providing assists for both of Wright’s goals
There was a sparse crowd for the first half at AT&T Stadium, where Mexico played the second game of the doubleheader.
While the United States wore new red, white and blue uniforms, defender Robinson was the only American starter in Major League Soccer.
Tyler Adams came in at No. 63 in his first appearance since the 2022 World Cup after recovering from a torn right hamstring that required surgery twice.
Limited to limited playing time as he regains fitness, Adams complained to coach Gregg Berhalter when he was sent off 10 minutes into overtime.
Jamaica was missing many of its best players. Michail Antonio, Leon Bailey and Trivante Stewart were not with the team and Demarai Gray and Shamari Nicholson were suspended.