USMNT Defeats Jamaica 1-0 in Quarterfinal

In the first leg of the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal, the United States men's national team secured a 1-0 victory over Jamaica, thanks to Ricardo Pepi's early goal in the fifth minute. Pepi, who stepped in for the injured Folarin Balogun, converted a precise pass from Christian Pulisic, marking a significant moment in his career as he became one of the youngest players to score 12 goals for the U.S. The match was characterized by intense pressure from Jamaica, but U.S. goalkeeper Matt Turner made a crucial save on a penalty kick, preserving the lead. The victory is a positive start for new head coach Mauricio Pochettino, who aims to guide the team towards the 2026 World Cup. The second leg is set for Monday in St. Louis, where the U.S. can clinch a semifinal spot with a draw or win.