Jamaica vs. USA result: USMNT escapes with a draw after Jamaica goal disallowed

Win at home and pick up points on the road. That’s the formula to qualify for the World Cup from the CONCACAF region and the U.S. national team did what it had to do in coming away with a lackluster 1-1 draw against Jamaica in Kingston.

The Americans were fortunate not to have finished on the losing end after a Jamaican goal six minutes from time was disallowed. The referee ruled that Jamaica’s Damion Lowe held down U.S. defender Walker Zimmerman when he went up for his header on a corner kick.

The USA will take the point, which comes on the heels of a 2-0 win over rivals Mexico on Friday. The result has the Americans in good position ahead of the final two rounds of matches in January and March 2022.

MORE: How the USA can qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar

The Americans broke through first in Kingston on a solo run by Tim Weah, who was one of the best players against Mexico. He finished off a penetrating run down the left side of the Jamaican box by lifting the ball over the shoulder of Jamaican ‘keeper Andre Blake and an early 11th-minute lead.

Jamaica responded to the USA’s solo effort with one of their own as star forward Michail Antonio fired a long-distance blast that easily beat U.S. goalkeeper Zack Steffen and tucked in under the crossbar.

The Jamaicans were desperate for three points from this game to make up ground in the standings. And the Reggae Boyz will be disappointed by a penalty that wasn’t called in the first half on a Chris Richards arm deflection in the box, though the arm was tucked in.

But it wasn’t just about the officials. Jamaica’s Bobby Reid also missed an incredible 53rd-minute chance inside the six-yard box that he’ll want to have back.

The result keeps the USA on track to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. It returns in January with two home games (vs. El Salvador and vs. Honduras) and a road match against Canada. The picture is bleak for Jamaica, which has plenty of ground to make up before the rest of the results are in on Matchday 8.

MORE: World Cup qualifying standings & results

Goals:USA — Timothy Weah — 11th min.JAM — Michail Antonio — 22nd min.

(All times Eastern)

84th min.: Jamaica scores but it's disallowed by the referee! A header on a corner by Damion Lowe hits the back of the net, but the referee rules that Lowe held Walker Zimmerman down when he went up for it. Replays show that was a really questionable call.

83rd min.: Neither team really panicking yet to get a goal. Jamaica's got to turn it up at some point.

78th min.: SUBS - USA brings on Jesus Ferreira and Paul Arriola for Ricardo Pepi and Brenden Aaronson as the Americans look to nick a goal to win it.

74th min.: Now it's Ravel Morrison unleashing a shot for Jamaica. Those subs are bringing an energy to the Reggae Boyz. They need these three points.

73rd min.: What a chance for Jamaica! Michail Antonio gets the ball past a charging Zack Steffen, but there are no teammates following the play and the USA clears.

68th min.: SUBS - Triple sub for Jamaica. Junior Flemming, Ravel Morrison and Anthony Grant are in for Bobby Reid, Lamar Walker and Je-Vaughn Watson.

66th min.: SUBS - Christian Pulisic and Kellyn Acosta come into the match for Tim Weah and Yunus Musah. Perhaps Pulisic and Acosta can bring some quality to the game, which has been brutally poor.

53rd min.: What a miss by Jamaica's Bobby Reid. A poor Antonee Robinson clearance falls to Reid who was alone in the six-yard box and he blasts it high of the goal with Zack Steffen closing the angle. Incredible miss.

52nd min.: USA's turn for a shot outside the box. Gianluca Busio in an advanced position blasts a right-footed shot that just misses the crossbar.

51st min.: The fan atmosphere is not a factor in Kingston. Only 5,000 fans were allowed and it doesn't feel like there are 5,000 there. All you hear are horns.

48th min.: It's Jamaica with the first chance of the second half. After a set piece the ball pops out to Leigh, who rips a left-footed shot that high of the target.

46th min.: Second half underway. Jamaica left back Kemar Lawrence has to come out of the game with Greg Leigh replacing him. No changes for the USA.

40th min.: Speaking of VAR -- Jamaica right back Javain Brown goes flying in with a two-footed lunge on U.S. captain Tyler Adams and he takes him out. If there were VAR, that'd be a red card.

38th min.: Leon Bailey kept in check by USA's Antonee Robinson down the attacking right. Jamaica earns a corner, but nothing comes of it. Half-hearted appeal for a Jamaica penalty after a ball was whipped into the box, but the referee isn't going for it. Replays show it came off Chris Richards's shoulder. No hand ball. Reminder: No VAR in CONCACAF.

34th min.: Teams playing between penalty boxes and with the odd foul. It's telling that this match has been defined by two solo efforts. Not much build-up from either team.

22nd min.: What a goal by Michail Antonio! If you're a U.S. fan or goalkeeper Zack Steffen, you tip your cap to the West Ham man with a blast from 30 yards out that he blasted under the bar. What power behind that one.

21st min.: USMNT waste a free kick out to the left. Gianluca Busio with the ball straight out of play.

16th min.: Two big saves on point-blank shots by Jamaica goalkeeper Andre Blake! That U.S. goal has shifted the momentum in the USA's favor for the moment.

11th min.: Goal USA! Out of nowhere a moment of brilliance from Timothy Weah who made a penetrating solo run down the left and lifted the ball over the shoulder of Andre Blake from a tough angle. What you might not know about Weah: His mom is Jamaican.

10th min.: No rhythm to this game. No sustained possession. Sloppy and choppy start to this for both teams.

8th min.: First yellow of the match and of course it's Je-Vaughn Watson. Wild challenge on Gianluca Busio.

1st min.: We're off. USA pinned in its own half to start the match. Chris Richards is the left center back, with Walker Zimmerman in his customary right center back spot.

3:53 p.m.: Young lineup. But can it get the job done?