The U.S. fell to Jamaica 2-1 last night at the Office in Kingston, marking the first World Cup qualifier they have ever dropped on Jamaican soil.
Clint Dempsey – whose fitness and status had been in question due to his protracted transfer saga from Fulham to Tottenham – scored the fastest World Cup qualifying goal in American history, tallying after just 36 seconds. But they coughed up consecutive set piece goals to suffer the Group A semifinal round loss.
Now the U.S. fell to 1-1-1 with four points in the group, while Jamaica vaulted into sole possession of first place with a 2-0-1 mark and seven points. The U.S. had tied its previous four qualifiers in Jamaica.
Dempsey is fourth in U.S. history in goals (28) and scores in World Cup qualifiers (eight), after he pounced on a deflection and slotted it home.
But the U.S. surrendered two set piece scores, the first after midfielder Kyle Beckerman’s foul near the top of the box gave away a free kick. Jamaica’s Randolph Austin’s low shot deflected off Beckerman’s right foot in the wall and in for a 23rd-minute equalizer.
Then, after a Maurice Edu foul, Jamaican striker Luton Shelton hit free kick past keeper Tim Howard and off the post for the winner.
(Shelton, who is Jamaica’s all-time leading scorer, once had interest in playing for the MetroStars, but the club never reciprocated).
The U.S. hosts Jamaica at a sold-out Columbus Crew Stadium on Tuesday (8 p.m., ESPN2, ESPN3 and Galavision).