Atlanta (USA): Jamaica’s “Reggae Boyz” delivered defending champion United States a humbling 2-1 defeat on Wednesday, becoming the first Caribbean squad to reach the Gold Cup final by shocking the heavily favored hosts. After Jamaican defenders disrupted US attacks for the first half hour, Darren Mattocks nodded home the first goal in the 31st minute and and Giles Barnes scored on a free kick in the 36th set up by a controversial violation on US goalkeeper Brad Guzan — to put Jamaica ahead 2-0 and signal an epic upset was in the making at the sold-out Georgia Dome.
US captain Michael Bradley answered in the 48th minute but the Americans never managed an equaliser against the stubborn Caribbean backline and lost to a Jamaican side that was 1-13 with eight drawn in their prior matches. “We made history by getting into the final. It shows what this team is capable of,” Barnes said. “We’ve shocked a few people along the way but we’ve not shocked ourselves. We don’t fear anybody. We put out a great team,” he added.
On Sunday in Philadelphia, Jamaica will play for the crown against six-time champion Mexico, which edged Panama 2-1 in the other semifinal of the biennial North American regional football championship. “We cannot have a party now. We still have one more match. Bob Marley comes after the match,” Jamaican coach Winfried Schaefer said.
In Jamaica, the late reggae legend’s music might be playing all day and night until the match.“Just incredible. The feeling right now is just insane. The phone hasn’t stopped. Back in Jamaica there’s got to be a party on. It will be even bigger when we lift the Cup on Sunday,” Barnes said. “The team is disappointed. I cannot complain about the performance. Congrat-ulations to Jamaica on making the final and we have to swallow that pill,” US coach Jurgen Klinsmann said.
