The U.S. men’s national team came close to suffering a first Concacaf Gold Cup group stage loss since 2011 on Saturday, but Matt Turner’s key first-half contributions helped the Americans stay alive to earn one point in Chicago.
Turner’s penalty-kick save on Leon Bailey in the first half proved crucial in the USMNT’s 1-1 Group A draw with Jamaica at Soldier Field. The Arsenal goalkeeper made two saves in total, earning SBI USMNT Man of the Match honors in the process.
After Damion Lowe’s early header boosted the Reggae Boyz in front, Turner came up clutch to keep the Americans down by just one goal. Turner dove to his left to punch away Bailey’s penalty kick shot, keeping the Americans from falling down 2-0 before halftime.
The USMNT would use an 88th minute equalizer from Brandon Vazquez to earn one point on home soil. Turner’s key save was crucial in the result, giving the Americans some confidence heading into Wednesday’s showdown with Saint Kitts and Nevis.
Turner edged out James Sands, DeAndre Yedlin, and Vazquez for Man of the Match honors.
What did you think of Turner’s performance? How crucial did you think his penalty kick save was?
Share your thoughts below.
Stadium went crazy with that penalty save!
he was MOTM definitely but what they need are second and third keepers making the same save which we don’t see if he starts all summer.
Turner’s save was thanks to Bailey looking at the right post, then the ball, then the right post and repeat before he took the kick. I am not great at predicting the future, but I was 99% sure Bailey was going to go to the right. Turner read that well!
I thought overall, the US spent too much time on the ball taking 3 or 4 touches when 2 would do and 2 (or more) when 1-touch would be a better choice. The result is Jamaica’s defense could reposition itself and close off any good passing lanes. I thought that occasionally Sonora would play quickly, but too often he dribbled which only served to slow things down. Yedlin was consistent in getting forward and supplying crosses, but the US had no one in the middle who could win the ball against Jamaica,
Coaching: it took too long to insert Vasquez to make something out of those crosses.
The subs: Cowell was energetic and pressured, but was also too slow to play the ball on. Milahilovic did play the ball quickly and that did help the US attack.
Vasquez happened to be in the right place at the right time and I don’t think anyone other than he and Turner really stood out. Turner qualifies mostly because of lack of competition.
I’d give Mihailovic 3rd place but only if I had to give a 3rd place.
I don’t know I thought Cowell did well. Neal was a definite upgrade at CB. Ferreira had a decent game. I would love to see what he is like with Vasquez.
I do think many players were found out.