USA defeats the Reggae Boyz 3-1 to advance to the Gold Cup Quarter finals

USA defeated the Reggae Boyz 3-1 to advance to the Quarter finals of the Gold Cup 2005.Both teams in their traditional colors started cautiously. Jamaica had the early possession. In the 5th minute USA wins a corner. Josh Wolff gets the ball in the penalty box and fires a shot that took a deflection pass Ricketts into the back of the net. One minute later Jamaica reacts with Ricardo Fuller winning a foul in the penalty box. A poorly taken penalty by Andy Williams gave USA's Keller an easy save. Reggae Boyz Stewart's strong challenge on Cherundolo gets him a caution and two minutes later Hue gets a yellow card for his challenge on Cherundolo. The Reggae Boyz continue to press for the equalizer with a 25 meter effort by Shelton that rolls wide and a header by Shelton that goes over the crossbar. Shelton again gets in the play just inside the box but swings and totally misses his shot. Midway through the game Jamaica's midfielders Hue and Williams are almost invisible. On the 41st minute Beasley penetrates in the penalty box and scores on Jamaica. The half ends with USA leading by 2 goals to nil.
Encouraged by cheering supporters, Team USA dominated the early stages of the second half and Beasley almost gets a third as the USA continued their steady attack on a now anemic looking Reggae Boyz. In the 56th minute a very slick series of passes gives Andy Williams a breakaway but he is fouled outside the box. An excellent strike by Stephenson beats Keller only to be stopped by the post. 15 min " Ralph replaces Sawyers for Jamaica. Jamaica comes alive again in the 64th minute with a good run and shot from Andy Williams but his shot whizzes just wide. Shelton makes a good run and fires a dangerous ball across the face of the USA goal but Keller saves. As play resumes Jerome Taylor cleans up Beasley with a vicious tackle and immediately gets a red card. Jamaica substitutes Jermaine Johnson for Shelton. USA seems to be able to penetrate at will and Reggae Boyz goalie, Ricketts, is kept very busy. Team USA keeps the pressure on and is rewarded again with another Beasley goal with the assist from Armas. Fuller pulls one back for Jamaica with a quick dribble into the box and easily slipping it pass Keller. Jamaica defense collapses again and gives the USA a penalty just before the end of the game, but it is squandered by an over-confident Landon Donavon. USA wins 3-1 and advances to the semis. More in the Forum.