/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/64672319/1153583732.jpg.0.jpg)
Christian Pulisic scored Team USA’s second goal against Jamaica late Wednesday evening in a match marred by weather delays.
At first glance, the goal was a merely a tap-in. However, that simple description would be disingenuous and disregard his movement in the build-up. His drive to follow the play and surge into the box was rewarded with a goal, as he was able to position himself in the right place at the right time to pounce on the rebound.
Pulisic’s second goal came from his own driving run down the right, cutting inside (Chelsea loanee Michael Hector) to threaten the Jamaican backline with a cutback cross. He would eventually latch onto the rebound from Paul Arriola’s shot to score.
The match was halted for over an hour due to lightning after just fifteen minutes had been played. Mother nature was the only one able to interrupt the Pulisic show on a warm, stormy night in Nashville, Tennesee. Jamaica wanted to contain Pulisic, too, but the future Ballon D’Or winner new Chelsea signee proved to have more than enough quality to positively impact several key moments for team USA.
Another day, another @cpulisic_10 sick move #JAMvUSA #ThisIsOurs #GoldCup2019 pic.twitter.com/qzu9SEO0cE
— Gold Cup 2019 (@GoldCup) July 4, 2019
Up next for the US Men’s National Team will be the Gold Cup final in Chicago against Mexico on Sunday, July 7th. One of football’s more entertaining rivalries on the international scene, Pulisic (and Miazga, who played the full 90 today as well) will surely be up for the match. The USMNT and Mexico has squared off in the Gold Cup final five times before with Mexico coming out the victors four times. The only time team USA has beat Mexico in the Gold Cup final was in 2007 ... in Chicago. Perhaps the fate of USMNT and Pulisic is “written in the stars.”
Earlier this week, Willian’s Brazil also made a final, beating Argentina 2-0 at the Copa América.
Unfortunately, there will be no Chelsea representation in the Women’s World Cup final, as England (Kirby, Telford, Bright) lost to the USA and Sweden (Andersson) lost to the Netherlands in the semifinals.