U.S. midfielder Christian Pulisic, in red, moves the ball past Jamaica’s Michael Hector (3) and Devon Williams during the first half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup semifinal Wednesday night in Nashville.NASHVILLE – Christian Pulisic ensured the CONCACAF Gold Cup final will have the marquee matchup the biennial men’s soccer tournament has lacked since 2011: Mexico versus the United States.
Pulisic had two goals in the second half and Weston McKennie scored for a second straight game, leading the Americans over Jamaica 3-1 in Wednesday night’s weather-delayed semifinal at Nissan Stadium.
Many in the crowd of 28,473 chanted “We Want Mexico!” in the closing minutes. Mexico beat Haiti 1-0 in extra time Tuesday in Glendale, Arizona, reaching the final despite a roster missing Javier Hernandez, Miguel Layun, Hirving Lozano and Carlos Vela.
“We know Mexico’s a great team,” Pulisic said. “I think it’s going to be a great game. I’m so excited for it.”
Said McKennie: “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.”