Drama Early in World Cup Qualifying

On This Day in 2004, Late Drama in Kingston as US Escapes Jamaica with Crucial Draw

Following their muddy but successful navigation of the Grenada series and a 1-1 friendly draw against Poland in July, the United States entered the semifinal round of CONCACAF qualifying for the 2006 World Cup. This phase would pit them against Jamaica, El Salvador, and Panama in a home-and-away format, with only the top two teams advancing to the final hexagonal.

Jamaica represented the group's most dangerous opponent. The Reggae Boyz had failed to qualify for the 2002 World Cup and now boasted fifteen players with professional experience under new Brazilian coach Sebastião Lazaroni. More crucially, they would host the Americans at Kingston's National Stadium—"The Office"—where the United States had managed only scoreless draws in three previous qualifying attempts. No American goal had ever been scored on Jamaican soil in a World Cup qualifier.

"It's important that we start qualifying off on the right foot," midfielder Earnie Stewart said before departure. "Jamaica is always a difficult place to play, and their team gets stronger every year."

Bruce Arena assembled nearly his strongest squad despite logistical challenges, with eight European-based players flying directly from club commitments for just two training sessions in Miami before the Wednesday night kickoff.

The scene at National Stadium on August 18 was electric, with 27,000 fans creating a carnival atmosphere as reggae music pounded through the sound system. An Anglican minister's pregame invocation captured the mood: "It's a David and Goliath day," he declared. Jamaica dominated the opening stages, creating dangerous penetrations but failing to finish due to sloppy final passes or resolute American defending. The United States struggled to find rhythm, frequently resorting to ineffective long balls. Claudio Reyna had the best first-half chance but drove his effort wide from inside the penalty area.

The breakthrough came in the 49th minute when Ian Goodison rose above Brian McBride to head home a corner kick, sending the stadium into delirium. Jamaica's first-ever victory over the United States was suddenly within reach. But this American team had developed a reputation for late drama throughout 2004—nine of their sixteen goals that year had come after the 75th minute, including a Carlos Bocanegra 89th-minute equalizer against Poland a little over a month ago. Their mental fortitude under Arena would soon be tested again.

Arena's crucial substitution came in the 60th minute, replacing McBride with Brian Ching—a 22-year-old forward playing in just his third international match and first qualifier. The gamble nearly backfired when Ching immediately headed wide from close range with an open net.

"Thankfully, I got another chance," Ching would later reflect. That redemption arrived in the 89th minute. Cobi Jones, another substitute, crossed from the right as Donovan positioned himself in the box. "Leave it," Donovan called to Ching as the ball ricocheted off two defenders before finding Donovan, who calmly settled it.

"I think everyone thought he was going to shoot it," Ching explained. "He fooled them by passing to me. It was an open goal."

From eight yards, Ching drove his right foot through the ball into the upper corner. The net bulged, and 27,000 Jamaican fans fell silent in disbelief. "I was champing at the bit to get in," said Ching. "We battled hard, and it was a fair result."

The 1-1 draw extended the United States' unbeaten record against Jamaica while marking a historic first—the Americans had finally scored in Jamaica during World Cup qualifying. More importantly, they had demonstrated the championship mentality that defined Arena's tenure. Arena, denied his 50th victory as national team coach, recognized the result's actual value. "That's the real test of a team," he reflected. "It showed a lot of character."

The point positioned the Americans perfectly for their September 4th home match against El Salvador at Gillette Stadium. In a group that also included Panama, the United States remained heavy favorites to advance to the final hexagonal, where three direct World Cup berths to Germany 2006 awaited alongside the region's elite teams.

The equalizer in Jamaica had reinforced this generation's defining characteristic—the ability to find ways to succeed when the pressure was greatest. As they prepared for the challenges ahead, the Americans carried the knowledge that they possessed something previous U.S. teams often lacked: the mentality of champions who never accept defeat until the final whistle sounds.