US men take on Jamaica
Associated Press
WASHINGTON
Now that the knockout games are here, the United States is ready to put a disappointing CONCACAF Gold Cup group stage behind.
The U.S. lost to Panama and came out of Group C in second place, setting up a quarterfinal match with Jamaica at RFK Stadium today.
Panama will take on El Salvador in the second match in the quarterfinal doubleheader.
“I think the team is still doing well in the tournament,” U.S. captain Carlos Bocanegra said. “Our original goal was to get to the knockout stages. OK, it didn’t come exactly as we wanted, we had the loss against Panama and everyone was disappointed. But we gave ourselves a great opportunity still in the knockout stages and our ultimate goal is to win this tournament.”
The U.S. started the tournament beating Canada 2-0, then came the 2-1 defeat to Panama — the first ever U.S. loss in Gold Cup group play. The U.S. clinched the quarterfinal berth with a 1-0 win against Guadeloupe.
“I think we came through group play feeling good we were tested, that certain things came to light, and now we’re excited and ready to go,” U.S. coach Bob Bradley said.
Jamaica had no trouble earning its berth. The Reggae Boyz have won all three of their games in the tournament without allowing a single goal.
The U.S. has been without two key players as it has prepared for the quarterfinal. Midfielders Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey were excused from the team’s training sessions to attend their sisters’ weddings.