The U.S. Men’s National Team captured the 2017 Gold Cup after defeating Jamaica Wednesday night in front of 63,052 in Santa Clara.
The US looked comfortable in the early going, bossing possession but unable to serious threaten the impressive Jamaican defense.
Tragedy struck about twenty minutes in when goalkeeper Andre Blake bravely put himself on the line with a double save and paid the price. Kellyn Acosta’s follow through on a close-range shot smothered by Blake seriously injured his hand, and the Philadelphia Union keeper was unable to continue.
The Americans poked and prodded until the 45th minute, then Jozy Altidore put away a beautiful set piece to give the US the lead, a lead they would relinquish minutes into the second half when Jordan Morris was badly beaten at the far post by Je-Vaughn Watson.