CONCACAF Gold Cup semi-finals: USA face surprise package Jamaica

Reigning CONCACAF Gold Cup champions the USA are closing in on a successful defence of their crown, but this summer’s surprise package Jamaica stand in the way of Jurgen Klinsmann’s men in the first semi-final.

The Stars and Stripes are obvious favourites to topple the Jamaicans, who are set to feature in their first ever Gold Cup semi-final, with the holders 19/5 with Coral to secure victory in 90 minutes and both teams to score.

Klinsmann’s side managed to progress from the group stages in a less-than-impressive manner but produced the emphatic thrashing many were expecting in their quarter-final clash with Cuba, impressively drubbing them 6-0.

The Americans showed stuttering form against Honduras, Haiti and Panama, but clinically dispatched Cuba to set-up a tie with Jamaica, with the USA’s German coach claiming he wanted a vast improvement last time out.

“We wanted them [his team] to take it really seriously,” Klinsmann stated.

“We didn’t want to waste anything. We didn’t want to fool around and kind of show off or anything like that. I made it very clear, if there’s somebody on the field that takes it lightly, we’re going to take him off after 10 minutes.”

The demanding coach will hope for much of the same against a Jamaican side that will be up for the fight in their maiden semi-final appearance, and are 7/1 to cause a shock by winning in 90 minutes.

Although, the holders will be confident of securing a second successive final outing with in-form forward Clint Dempsey back to his best at international level.