Pulisic helps US defeat Jamaica in Gold Cup semi

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Christian Pulisic ensured the CONCACAF Gold Cup final will have the marquee matchup it’s lacked since 2011: United States vs. Mexico.

Pulisic had two goals in the second half and Weston Mckennie scored for a second straight game, leading the U.S. over Jamaica 3-1 in Wednesday night’s semifinal.

The Nissan Stadium crowd of 28,473 was chanting “We Want Mexico!” in the closing minutes.

“It’s definitely going to be a fun game,” Mckennie said. “I think the fans want it. You heard them saying, ‘We Want Mexico!’ I think we want it. I think we’re ready for it, looking forward to it.”

The Americans face El Tri at Chicago on Sunday night.

The U.S. is 6-4 in Gold Cup finals, but only 1-4 against Mexico with a win in 2007 and losses United States midfielder Christian Pulisic celebrates after scoring during Wednesday’s Gold Cup semifinal against Jamaica.

in 1993, ‘98, ‘09 and ‘11. The defending champion Americans have won a team record 10 straight Gold Cup matches.

“We’ve already started preparing, already started watching them the last couple of days,” U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter said.

Mckennie put the U.S. ahead in the ninth minute with his third international goal. The game was halted in the 16th minute for 1 hour, 28 minutes because of a lightning storm.

Pulisic made it 2-0 in the 52nd minute and Shamar Nicholson cut the deficit in the 69th. Pulisic got his second goal in the 87th, giving the 20-year-old 13 goals in 30 international appearances. Nine of Pulisic’s 13 international goals have come in competitive matches.

Nicholson’s goal was the first against the U.S. in the tournament and ended a 482-minute scoreless streak by the American defense.