The United States earned a narrow first-leg win away from home against Jamaica in the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal.
Scorers: Pepi 5′
It was the perfect start for Mauricio Pochettino’s side as Ricardo Pepi was played in behind by Christian Pulisic before slotting home from an acute angle.
The Stars and Stripes looked slick in the final third and perhaps should have found a second when Pulisic blazed a close-range over the bar after a stunning team move.
But they were seemingly undone when a defensive laps caused Matt Turner to come rushing out of his goal and bring down an onrushing Jamaican player, forcing the referee to award the hosts a penalty.
Turner made up for his error however, making a huge save on former Everton man Demarai Gray to keep the U.S. ahead.
Jamaica pushed to pull themselves back into the affair late in the second-half, and may have had a case for second penalty-kick when Tim Ream appeared to handle the ball on the line.
But any late fightback was quelled when Mason Holgate saw his second yellow card on the night and was sent off in the dying minutes.
The second-leg showdown will take place Monday evening in St. Louis.
