United_States_v_Jamaica_(2002_FIFA_World_Cup_qualification)
United States v Jamaica (2002 FIFA World Cup qualification)
2001 association football match
The 2002 World Cup qualification's United States v Jamaica on October 7, 2001 was an association football (soccer) match between the United States and Jamaica, with the winner qualifying for the 2002 FIFA World Cup held in South Korea and Japan.[1] The United States won the game 2–1, qualifying for the World Cup that year.
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 The Foxboro Stadium hosted the match | |||||||
| Event | 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification | ||||||
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| Date | October 7, 2001 | ||||||
| Venue | Foxboro Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts | ||||||
| Referee | Rodolfo Sibrian (El Salvador) | ||||||
| Attendance | 40,483 | ||||||
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Costa Rica |
10 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 17 | 7 | +10 | 23 | Qualified to the 2002 FIFA World Cup |
| 2 |  Mexico |
10 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 16 | 9 | +7 | 17 | |
| 3 |  United States |
10 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 11 | 8 | +3 | 17 | |
| 4 |  Honduras |
10 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 17 | 17 | 0 | 14 | |
| 5 |  Jamaica |
10 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 7 | 14 | −7 | 8 | |
| 6 |  Trinidad and Tobago |
10 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 5 | 18 | −13 | 5 |
Leading to the game, both the United States and Jamaica still had some chances to qualify. However, neither two teams were on the top three at the time, with the United States falling behind Mexico by goal differences even though both had 13 points; while Jamaica had a very slim chance to qualify with only 8 points. This match became very important due to the match being their ninth encounter. Jamaica came to this match with a pressure that they had no choice but to win the game, or they would be eliminated.[1] Meanwhile, the U.S. needed to win while hoping that Honduras would fail to Trinidad and Tobago to reclaim a spot in top three.[1] At the time of the match, both teams had shown some level of success in CONCACAF tournaments, but had struggled heavily at the 1998 FIFA World Cup. Jamaica lost 3–1 to Croatia and 5–0 to Argentina before getting a 2–1 win against Japan. The United States lost all of their matches against Germany (2–0), Iran (2–1), and Yugoslavia (1–0) and finished last in the tournament.[citation needed]
The match came after almost a month following the deadly September 11 attacks which claimed 3,000 lives; a win would have been noted for reinvigorating American patriotism.[1]
Summary
The United States and Jamaica marked a minute in memory to the victims of the tragic September 11 attacks. The match eventually started under supervision of the Salvadoran referee. The first half started with a surprising quick attack by the United States, which allowed them to have a free kick after Chris Armas was fouled by veteran Theodore Whitmore on the left side. Claudio Reyna sent a free kick toward the near post. A diving Joe-Max Moore headed the ball past goalkeeper Aaron Lawrence from six yards for an early 1–0 edge, sending fans to celebration. Landon Donovan and Max-Moore had chances to double tally, but failed. The U.S. lead didn't last long, just ten minutes later, Jamie Lawrence took advantage with a passing ball from teammate and poor defending of the U.S. to level it 1–1. After that, the U.S. increased pressure on Jamaica, but a solid defense by the Jamaicans prevented the Americans from regaining the lead, as the first half ended one-all.[citation needed]
The second half saw the U.S. almost had a chance to take the lead again in 47', but Max-Moore was denied by A. Lawrence. Whitmore tried to breakthrough American defense in 52', but his final shot was too light and Brad Friedel didn't face any pressure. Donovan tried his luck with a long-range shot in 57', to no avail. As the deadlock was yet to be broken, the U.S. received a warming new as Stern John delivered a goal for Trinidad and Tobago against Honduras in 61', meant that the U.S. had a chance to win. The U.S. increased pressure from the moment Trinidad and Tobago delivered the Americans an advantage, but it was not until 81' when Tyrone Marshall fouled Donovan in the penalty area. Max-Moore successfully converted it to 2–1, and the U.S. managed to hold it until the end of the game to seal the United States a needed victory, with luck on their side as well as Honduras suffered a shock home loss to Trinidad and Tobago and Costa Rica held Mexico goalless.[1]
Details
     United States
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  Jamaica
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Assistant referees:
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| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Costa Rica (Q) |
9 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 16 | 7 | +9 | 20 | Qualified to the 2002 FIFA World Cup |
| 2 | United States |
9 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 11 | 8 | +3 | 16 | |
| 3 | Mexico |
9 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 13 | 9 | +4 | 14 | |
| 4 |  Honduras |
9 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 17 | 14 | +3 | 14 | |
| 5 | Jamaica (E) |
9 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 13 | −6 | 8 | |
| 6 | Trinidad and Tobago (E) |
9 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 5 | 18 | −13 | 4 |
This win was considered to be significant emotionally to Americans due to the close proximity of the match and the September 11 attacks. However, news coverage of the match was heavily overshadowed by the United States invasion of Afghanistan, which happened on the same day.[1]
The United States eventually reached the 2002 FIFA World Cup, thanked for a goalless draw in Trinidad and Tobago.[2] Meanwhile, Jamaica fell in their final game against Costa Rica at home soil. In the 2002 World Cup, the United States enjoyed its a string of victories totaling to its best performance at the World Cup ever since winning bronze at the 1930 tournament; the US eventually would lose to runners-up Germany in the quarter-finals.[3]
It was also the last soccer game to be held in Foxboro Stadium (that hosted matches of the 1994 FIFA World Cup). In January 2002, the old stadium was demolished following the completion of Gillette Stadium nearby.[4]
- O'Callaghan, Eoin (4 June 2020). "'Man, this isn't MLS': An oral history of USA's quarter-final run in 2002". The Guardian.