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Haji Wright Scores Brace As US Beats Jamaica 3-1 To Reach CONCACAF Nations League Final
The United States emerged victorious over Jamaica in CONCACAF Nations League semi-final with a 3-1 win in extra time, thanks to the heroics of substituted striker Haji Wright.
The match, held at the AT&T Stadium in Texas, displayed Wright’s talent as he scored two crucial goals to secure the defending champions a spot in the final against Mexico.
Wright, who recently made headlines with a late winner for Coventry City in the English FA Cup was a last-minute addition to the US squad, replacing the injured Josh Sargent. His impact on the game was immediate, coming on as a substitute in the 63rd minute and_ making a significant impact on the outcome of the match.
Despite Jamaica taking an early lead with a goal from Greg Leigh in the opening minute, the US fought back and_ eventually equalized in stoppage time through a controversial goal from Miles Robinson.
The first goal came in the 96th minute of extra time when Wright capitalized on a precise pass from fellow substitute Gio Reyna to beat Jamaica’s goalkeeper. He then sealed the victory with his second goal in the 109th minute, courtesy of another excellent assist from Reyna. Wright’s performance displays his resilience and_ determination on the field.
Haji Wright’s exceptional performance earned him the well-deserved title of Man of the Match. Despite facing initial setbacks, the winger’s journey to success was not without its challenges. During the post-match press conference, Coach Berhalter revealed the interesting sequence of events that led to Wright’s pivotal role in the match. Berhalter shared that he initially informed Wright that he was not part of the team’s plans. However, it was a subsequent call that changed the course of events. In the press conference, Berhalter recounted the conversation, stating, “I called him, and_ he mentioned he was at the airport with his entire family, agent, and_ girlfriend who had organized the trip. It was quite a situation. I told Haji, ‘I’ll give you 10 minutes.'”
Berhalter added, “I know you have your parents, the bags are packed, and_ you’re at the airport, but just think about it for 10 minutes and_ give me a callback.” In exactly 10 minutes, Wright called with the message ‘I’m in‘, and_ for the coach, this sealed the deal regarding his mentality, and_ there was no looking back. As the USMNT takes on neighbors Mexico in 2 days, all eyes will be on the Coventry City star.
