JAMAICA’S Reggae Boyz made their way into the final with a hard-fought 2-1 win over the United States of America last night in the semifinal of the CONCACAF Gold Cup at the Georgia Dome, Atlanta.Goals from Darren Mattocks and Giles Barnes gave Reggae Boyz a 2-0 lead over defending champions United States at halftime.
Mattocks struck in the 31st minute to give Jamaica the lead and Barnes, who plays for Houston Dynamo in the Major League Soccer, added a second five minutes later.
In the second half the Reggae Boys did not let up or did they become complacent as they held on until the regulation time whistle to win 2-1.
USA’s Michael Bradley made it a one-possession game in the 47th minute but it was not enough to keep Jamaica out of the final. Up to press time, Mexico were set to battle Panama for a spot in the final.
Jamaica are playing in only their third ever Gold Cup semi-final, following appearances in the 1993 and 1998 editions of the tournament.