Matthew Hoppe's 1st goal lifts USA over Jamaica into Gold Cup semifinals

Associated Press
Monday, July 26, 2021 3:55 p.m. | Monday, July 26, 2021 3:55 p.m.

4080979_web1_4080979-4583155458d446aa94e94f37920894d2

Jamaica goalkeeper Andre Blake is unable to stop a header by United States forward Matthew Hoppe, center right, for a score as defender Oniel Fisher (8) looks on late in the second half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinals soccer match in Arlington, Texas.

4080979_web1_4080979-d7e53d06014e46d39f5d698560835ab4

Jamaica forward Cory Burke (9) and defender Liam Moore (6) help goalkeeper Andre Blake (1) against a shot by the United States in the first half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinals soccer match, Sunday, July 25, 2021, in Arlington, Texas.

4080979_web1_4080979-ee6861c4159143eca6c89b734b95c01a

Fans wave American and Jamaican flags during team warmups before a 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinals soccer match, Sunday, July 25, 2021, in Arlington, Texas.

4080979_web1_4080979-b77aea71f6924afa86f518743290d7f0

United States midfielder Sebastian Lletget (17) clears the ball away from Jamaica forward Bobby Reid (10) in the first half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinals soccer match, Sunday, July 25, 2021, in Arlington, Texas.

4080979_web1_4080979-8d370f856a1c4a9d8b1ade4600c23c97

Jamaica forward Cory Burke (9) is issued a yellow card by referee Cesar Ramos, right center, as Daniel Johnson (16) and Bobby Reid (10) look on in the first half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinals soccer match, Sunday, July 25, 2021, in Arlington, Texas.

4080979_web1_4080979-aeade79b0e5a4c2ba2eb8aa141449fc0

Jamaica defender Kemar Lawrence (20) is knocked down by United States defender Shaq Moore, top, as the two compete for control of the ball in the second half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinals soccer match, Sunday, July 25, 2021, in Arlington, Texas.

ARLINGTON, Texas — Matthew Hoppe scored his first international goal on a header in the 83rd minute and the United States beat Jamaica 1-0 Sunday night to reach the semifinals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Hoppe, making his second international appearance, nodded home a cross from Cristian Roldan from just inside the 6-yard box, and the U.S. eliminated the 45th-ranked Reggae Boyz for the third straight Gold Cup.

The 20th-ranked U.S. will face Qatar, an invited guest ahead of its hosting next year’s World Cup, on Thursday in Austin, Texas. It will be the 11th consecutive Gold Cup semifinal for the Americans, who last won in 2017 when they beat Jamaica in the final.

HOPPE GIVES THE @USMNT THE LEAD IN THE 83RD MINUTE! ??? pic.twitter.com/RTdinsbzGZ

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 26, 2021

Goalkeeper Matt Turner had his third shutout in four matches.

U.S. Gregg Berhalter, using a mostly junior varsity roster, started just three players who see substantial playing time when first-choice players are on hand: Kellyn Acosta, Sebastian Lletget and Paul Arriola.

Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams, Sergiño Dest, Zack Steffen and Josh Sargent were among the regulars who skipped the tournament for vacation followed by European preseasons.

In the opening game of the doubleheader, No. 70 Canada beat 50th-ranked Costa Rica 2-0 to reach its first Gold Cup semifinal since 2007, when it lost 2-1 to the U.S.

With the win tonight, we'll face ?? in the #GoldCup21 Semifinals on Thursday, July 29 @Q2Stadium in Austin! pic.twitter.com/N86dDSnchI

— U.S. Soccer MNT (@USMNT) July 26, 2021

Junior Hoilett scored in the 18th minute, his 13th international goal and second of the tournament, and Stephen Eustáquio added his third goal of the tournament in the 69th after the ball rebounded off Francisco Calvo and into his path.

Canada will play defending champion Mexico on Thursday in Houston.