USMNT interim head coach B.J. Callaghan was pleased with his side's efforts in their 1-1 draw against Jamaica and knows that the goals will soon come in the 2023 Gold Cup.
The USMNT were expected to overcome Jamaica in the first game of the 2023 Gold Cup, especially playing on their home turf at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. But Jamaica's defense, mainly goalkeeper Andre Blake and center-back Damion Lowe, kept the US at bay and held them to one score.
On the other side, the USMNT starting lineup featured a very different set of players when compared to the lineup that conquered the Nations League - except for goalkeeper Matt Turner. The US failed to start the game with the same quality and intensity as Jamaica, but found their footing as the game wore on the second half due to it being their first game together in the tournament.
Turner, who plays for Arsenal in the Premier League, faced Aston Villa's Leon Bailey 12 yards away from the penalty spot and stood tall to make a vital save to keep his country in the game. It was Turner's 29th birthday, and he put on a clinic of goalkeeping excellence like Jamaica's Blake.
While some of Turner's teammates that featured in the Nations League triumph headed back overseas to get ready for preseason with their clubs, Turner did the opposite. "He's a player that came to us and wanted to play both tournaments," Callaghan stated.
"His commitment to this team, the commitment to the craft – and then I always say big players make big plays," Callaghan asserted. "And Matt made a big play there where I think it also shifted the momentum a little bit with that. So those are what we expect. That was his moment to step up, and it's the same thing we preach to all of the guys, that when your number is called, you're going to be expected to step up."
Turner wasn't the only one to receive applause from Callaghan. FC Dallas' Jesus Ferreira was key to the US' goal that leveled the game, proving that he deserves a place in the starting XI.
"Jesus was able to find the game in different ways, and as he continues to mature in our group, he can find the spaces, he can come low, link up play, he's able to run behind," Callaghan continued. "Additionally, I thought that he led the front line defensively in coming back and helping win second balls; he did a really good job with that. So proud of his performance.
"Normally we take a little bit of time to get going. But this is also a very good US team. We lacked the killer instinct. We needed to score that second goal. We had the chances. … Hopefully as the tournament goes on, we’ll get fitter."
The Stars and Stripes will look to get back on track in their quest for their second consecutive Gold Cup when they take on St. Kitts and Nevis, who are playing in the competition for the first time ever, on June 28.
This article was originally published on 90min as B.J. Callaghan praises "very good" USMNT squad despite 1-1 draw with Jamaica.
