Jamaica stuns Mexico — reaches Gold Cup final
Kemar Lawrence scored on a 24-yard free kick in the 88th minute, and Jamaica reached the CONCACAF Gold Cup final with a 1-0 upset victory over Mexico at the Rose Bowl on Sunday night.
Jamaica will face the United States on Wednesday night at Levi’s Stadium. The Reggae Boyz are seeking their first championship in soccer’s North and Central American and Caribbean region.
Jamaica goalkeeper Andre Blake kept the game scoreless with a series of saves while Mexico dominated possession despite missing most its top players.
Lawrence’s late strike froze goalkeeper Jesus Corona. The ball rose past a five-man wall and curled into the left corner just below the bar for the New York Red Bulls defender’s third career international goal and first in three years.
Blake made two brilliant saves in succession in the 12th minute, diving twice to stop close-range chances by Jesus Duenas and Erick Torres.
Mexico hadn’t trailed in the tournament before the late goal, but El Tri also hadn’t been impressive — no player scored more than one goal.
Jamaica reached the final for the second straight Gold Cup tournament, but this stunning upset in Pasadena ranks among its biggest international wins. Mexico has won seven Gold Cup titles, the U.S. five and Canada one.
Mexico failed to advance to the Gold Cup final for just the second time in the past six tournaments.
The crowd was dominated by Mexico fans, but the Rose Bowl was less than half full, with 42,393 fans. The absence of Chicharito Hernandez and other top Mexican players, combined with El Tri’s poor performances in this Gold Cup to date, might have kept many of their usual faithful at home.
Though teams were allowed to make up to six substitutions for the knockout rounds, El Tri coach Juan Carlos Osorio said he was blocked by Mexico’s clubs.
Osorio served the fifth game of a six-match FIFA ban for his conduct toward officials during the Confederations Cup. Quakes fall in Seattle: Cristian Roldan scored twice in less than two minutes in the second half and newly acquired Kelvin Leerdam got his first MLS goal, leading the Sounders past the visiting Earthquakes 3-0.
All three goals came in a span of 11 minutes for the Sounders (8-7-6), who won their second straight and are on a four-game unbeaten streak (3-0-1).
The Quakes (7-9-5) lost their third straight. Timbers 2, Whitecaps 1: Sebastian Blanco scored early in the second half and undermanned Portland beat host Vancouver to snap a six-game winless streak.
Jeremy Ebobisse set up the winner and also scored to give Portland (8-8-6) an early lead in the 14th minute. Andrew Jacobson leveled it for Vancouver (8-8-3) in the 45th before Blanco’s winner in the 49th.
The Timbers have players out because of injuries, suspensions and the Gold Cup.