Jamaica were knocked out of the 2024/25 CONCACAF Nations League A crashing 2-4 to the United States of America (USA) at City Park in St Louis, Missouri losing the tie 5-2 on aggregate.

American talisman Christian Pulisic gave the USA a 13th-minute lead then an own goal by Di’Shon Bernard doubled the advantage in the 33^rd minute. Ricardo Pepi made it 3-0 before Timothy Weah, whose mother is Jamaican made it 4-0 in minute 56.

Demarai Gray scored two second-half goals in the 53^rd and 68^th and brought some respectability to the scoreline. for Jamaica.

But it was the end of the road for Steve McClaren and his Reggae Boyz as their run in the CONCACAF Nations League came to an end.

While the Americans book their spot in the semi-finals and by extension the Gold Cup, Jamaica will now enter into a playoff to reach the Gold Cup.

It was a dominant display by the USA from start to finish and their intentions were clear with Weah hitting the upright after shrugging off Damion Lowe in the fourth minute.

So, it was no surprise when Pulisic latched onto a Weston McKenzie pass over the top and side-footed home ahead of the advancing Andre Blake in goal who misjudged his effort to leave his line.

Pulisic, Weah and Anthony Johnson were terrorizing the Jamaican backline and Pulisic was again on the end of a McKenzie pass. This time, his right foot shot which was off target, took a wicked deflection off Di’Shorn Bernard, deceived Blake and effectively killed off Jamaica’s hope.

Ricardo Pepi who scored the winner in Kingston, could not be kept off the scoresheet and he made it 3-0 in the 42^nd minute with a low right-footed shot that eluded the outstretched left hand of Blake.

At half time, the tie was good as over with the Americans leading 4-0 on aggregate but the Reggae Boyz restarted the second half in a more positive manner and Demarai Gray reduced the deficit for Jamaica volleying home an Isaac Hayden cross. 

But any hopes Jamaica had of a comeback were quickly put to bed as Weah controlled a pass from Yunus Musah and unleashed a powerful right-footed shot that flew past Blake in the roof of the net. It brought back memories of his father George Weah who won the Ballon D’Or in 1995 and was FIFA Player of the Year in 1996.

But Gray popped up again turning home his second goal after substitute Renaldo Cephas’ shot was parried into his path by US goalkeeper Matt Turner. Cephas with his pace was causing all sorts of problems for the Americans and it left the Jamaican faithful wondering why he was not given the start.

The Americans had 16 shots with six on target while the Reggae Boyz had nine shots with six on target. The USA dominated possession with 68 per cent to Jamaica’s 32 and they made 691 passes with an accuracy of 92 percent. Jamaica made 339 passes with an 84 per cent accuracy.