US oust Jamaica to reach Gold Cup semis on Hoppe’s first international goal

Matthew Hoppe scored his first international goal on a header in the 83rd minute and the United States beat Jamaica 1-0 Sunday night to reach the semi-finals of the Concacaf Gold Cup.

Hoppe, making his second international appearance, nodded home a cross from Cristian Roldan from just inside the six-yard box, and the US eliminated the 45th-ranked Reggae Boyz for the third straight Gold Cup.

The 20th-ranked US will face Qatar, an invited guest ahead of their hosting next year’s World Cup, on Thursday in Austin, Texas. It will be the 11th consecutive Gold Cup semifinal for the Americans, who last won in 2017 when they beat Jamaica in the final.

Goalkeeper Matt Turner had his third shutout in four matches.

US coach Gregg Berhalter, using a mostly junior varsity roster, started just three players who see substantial playing time when first-choice players are on hand: Kellyn Acosta, Sebastian Lletget and Paul Arriola.

Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams, Sergino Dest, Zack Steffen and Josh Sargent were among the regulars who skipped the tournament for

vacation followed by European preseasons.

In the opening game of the doubleheader, No 70 Canada beat 50th-ranked Costa Rica 1-0 to reach their first Gold Cup semi-final since 2007, when they lost 2-1 to the US.

Junior Hoilett scored in the 18th minute, his 13th international goal and second of the tournament, and Stephen Eustaquio added his third goal of the tournament in the 69th after the ball rebounded off Francisco Calvo and into his path.

Canada will play defending champion Mexico in Houston on Thursday.