Brad Evans scored the game-winning goal in stoppage time — turning and shooting while falling backward in the penalty area — to lift the United States men’s national team to a stunning 2-1 World Cup qualifying victory over Jamaica on Friday night.
Evans’ goal was the latest winner in U.S. World Cup qualifying round history, and came less than three minutes after the Jamaicans had tied the game on a header from Jermaine Beckford in the 89th minute. Then, it looked as if the Americans would have to settle for a draw, which would have been a deflating result after leading for most of the game. But in the second minute of stoppage time, U.S. midfielder Michael Bradley found Evans wide open in the middle of the penalty area, and the Seattle Sounders midfielder turned and deposited it in the top right corner for the win.
Jozy Altidore opened the scoring in the 30th minute, giving the Americans a 1-0 lead on a header via Graham Zusi‘s cross from the right side.
The victory puts the U.S. in a three-way tie for first place in the CONCACAF World Cup qualifying standings with Costa Rica and Mexico. The Americans have six games remaining in their World Cup qualifying schedule, with their next game coming Tuesday against Panama in Seattle. The top three teams in the standings advance to next year’s World Cup in Brazil, while the fourth team advances to a one-game playoff against New Zealand.
Check out Evans’ heroics from Friday in the video below.
