On This Day in 2019, Lightning and Redemption: How the US Survived the Storm to Reach the Gold Cup Final
The chants began before the final whistle had even sounded at Nissan Stadium. "We want Mexico! We want Mexico!" thundered from the throats of 28,473 supporters who had endured a 90-minute weather delay to witness the United States Men's National Team in the Gold Cup semifinal. What they had seen was more than just a ticket to Sunday's final in Chicago—it was validation that the partnership between Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie could carry American soccer back to relevance.
The semifinal represented a collision between ambition and expectation, between a Jamaica side that had upset the Americans just a month earlier in a Washington D.C. friendly and a United States team desperate to prove that their quarterfinal struggles against Curaçao were an aberration rather than a harbinger. The Reggae Boyz arrived in Nashville with legitimate confidence, having reached the previous two Gold Cup finals and possessing the recent psychological advantage of that 1-0 June victory over a depleted American roster.
For Gregg Berhalter, the match presented an opportunity to demonstrate tactical flexibility while maintaining the core principles that had guided his team through the tournament's early stages. His lineup shuffle reflected both pragmatism and evolution—Jozy Altidore and Reggie Cannon earned starts alongside Jordan Morris and Matt Miazga, creating a formation designed to exploit Jamaica's defensive vulnerabilities while maintaining the creative axis between Pulisic and McKennie that had proven so decisive against Curaçao.
The historical context added layers of complexity to the encounter. Jamaica had eliminated the United States in the 2015 semifinals before falling to them in the 2017 final, creating a rivalry that transcended regional politics to become genuinely competitive. More immediately, the specter of that June friendly loomed large—a match where Jamaica's clinical finishing had exposed American defensive frailties and raised questions about Berhalter's ability to adapt his tactical approach to different styles of opposition.
The early minutes of the July 3 semifinal suggested those concerns were misplaced. McKennie, continuing his evolution into the dynamic box-to-box midfielder Berhalter envisioned, announced his intentions with a ninth-minute goal that perfectly encapsulated the American tactical approach. Michael Bradley's expansive passing found Reggie Cannon wide on the flank, whose precise cross located Altidore at the edge of the six-yard box. The veteran striker, back to goal, laid off a simple touch to the charging McKennie. The finish was emphatic—a low drive past Andre Blake's outstretched right hand into the far corner. It was McKennie's third international goal and second in consecutive matches, but more importantly, it validated the tactical understanding that had been developing between him and his teammates throughout the tournament.
"He's a really big, dominant presence," Pulisic had said of his midfield partner before the match. "He's really good at winning balls. He wins everything. He's also good with the ball, whereas I'm not as much of a ball winner but more of a creator and dribbler. I think we've worked really well together."
The partnership would be tested in ways none of them anticipated. Just seven minutes after McKennie's opener, lightning illuminated the Nashville sky, forcing both teams off the field for what would become a 90-minute weather delay that threatened to disrupt the rhythm and momentum the Americans had worked so hard to establish. The interruption represented more than just a meteorological inconvenience—it was a test of mental resilience and tactical adaptability that would define the remainder of the match.
"I haven't really dealt with something like that since like youth soccer," Pulisic admitted afterward. "It was strange. We tried to keep ourselves going, and in the end, everything worked out."
When play resumed, it was clear that the delay had affected both teams differently. The Americans returned with renewed purpose and tactical clarity, while Jamaica seemed to have lost the defensive organization that had kept them competitive in the tournament's early rounds. The second half belonged to Pulisic in ways that demonstrated why he had become the focal point of American attacking ambitions. His first goal, in the 52nd minute, showcased the predatory instincts that had made him the youngest American to score in World Cup qualifying. McKennie's precise through ball found Morris in space on the right flank, whose shot was well-saved by Blake but poorly handled, allowing Pulisic to arrive unmarked and tap home the rebound from close range.
Jamaica's response came through Shamar Nicholson, whose 69th-minute header from Leon Bailey's cross provided a moment of genuine concern for American supporters. The goal ended a 482-minute scoreless streak that had become a source of pride for Berhalter's defensively organized team. More importantly, it represented the first real test of American resolve under pressure, the first moment when the team's mental fortitude would be genuinely examined.
"I'm really disappointed that we conceded a goal in this tournament, but it's a learning moment and something that, looking back on it now, I'm glad we did because the guys had to dig deep," Berhalter reflected afterward.
The American response was immediate and decisive. Pulisic's second goal, three minutes from time, came from another rebound situation that highlighted both his positioning and his composure in crucial moments. Paul Arriola's shot from the left side was well-saved by Blake, but once again, Pulisic was perfectly positioned to capitalize on the loose ball, firing low into the left side of the goal to restore the two-goal advantage.
For McKennie, the victory represented personal vindication and collective achievement. His post-match comments captured the growing confidence within the American camp: "It's definitely going to be a fun game. I think the fans want it. You heard them saying, 'We Want Mexico!' I think we want it. I think we're ready for it, looking forward to it."
Three days later, at Soldier Field in Chicago, those lessons from earlier in the tournament would be put to the test against Mexico in a final that would determine not just the Gold Cup champion but also the trajectory of American soccer for the next generation. The Mexican team that awaited them had reached the final despite missing key players like Javier Hernández, Carlos Vela, and Hirving Lozano; however, they brought the tactical discipline and big-game experience that had made them CONCACAF's most successful team.
The final would prove to be a different kind of examination entirely. Jonathan dos Santos' 73rd-minute goal gave Mexico a 1-0 victory that secured their record-extending eighth Gold Cup title. The Americans had their chances—Pulisic's early run was denied by a brilliant save from Guillermo Ochoa, while Altidore missed a clear opportunity when through on goal. In the second half, Jordan Morris powered a header on target only to see Andres Guardado clear it off the line, while McKennie's follow-up was blocked by a sea of bodies.
The defeat was painful but not devastating. The United States had reached their second consecutive Gold Cup final, demonstrating the progress made under Berhalter's guidance. More importantly, the tournament had established Pulisic and McKennie as the foundation upon which American soccer's future would be built. Their partnership had produced crucial goals in both knockout rounds, validating the tactical approach that would carry the team through World Cup qualifying and beyond.
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