Agence France Presse/ Los Angeles
Jamaica is out to end North America's stranglehold on the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) Gold Cup when it takes on the favored United States Wednesday in the final at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
The arrival of Bruce Arena's men in the title match of the regional championship for North and Central America is no surprise.
Even though they were denied a berth by the Jamaicans with a semifinal loss in 2015, they are homing in on a sixth title in the regional championship for the North and Central America and the Caribbean.
Since the Gold Cup was instituted in 1991, Mexico has won seven titles, the United States five and Canada one - in 2000.
But Jamaica is knocking on the door again.
It stunned defending champion Mexico in the semifinals to become the only team besides the US or El Tri to reach back to back finals.
"That's a cycle we want to break," Jamaican coach Theodore Whitmore said of the US-Mexico dominance in the event and the region.
"That's what we, as staff and players, discuss. It's always Mexico-US. We want to be in that top group.
"We want to be a team, a country that someone can talk about. And that's what we're working toward."
Inspired work in goal by captain Andre Blake - and a stunning game winning free kick by Kemar Lawrence in the 1-0 semifinal win againts Mexico - has brought the Caribbean country back in the final.
The Reggae Boyz were well organized defensively and played with composure againts an inexperienced Mexican side, which also had to make do without coach Juan Carlos Osorio as he served a six game FIFA ban for comments about officials at last month's Confederations Cup in Russia.
Jamaica has allowed only two goals across five matches so far.
"We have a bit of youth and experience and that's been taking us through the tournament," Whitmore said. "I think we have a solid back five, including Andre Blake - very organized."
"There are areas of the field that still need to improve , but it's working, obviously, in a tournament. And we have to play according to the tournament to get a result."
Like Mexico, the US brought a young, untried squad into the group stage, but Arena called on the old guard for the knockout rounds and they have not disappointed.
Clint Dempsey equaled the US record with his 57th international goal in the team's 2-0 semifinal victory over Costa Rica.
He could surpass the mark set by Landon Donovan with a goal againts Jamaica.
The US is unbeaten in 13 matches since Arena returned to the helm, replacing Germany's Jurgen Klinsmann who was sacked after a 4-0 loss to Costa Rica in World Cup qualifying.
Costa Rica coach Oscar Ramirez said Arena's return had re energized the USA.
"With Klinsmann there was a certain tension, perhaps because several had problems with him," Ramirez said. "I think Bruce has restored their level."
Jamaica is out to end North America's stranglehold on the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) Gold Cup when it takes on the favored United States Wednesday in the final at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
The arrival of Bruce Arena's men in the title match of the regional championship for North and Central America is no surprise.
Even though they were denied a berth by the Jamaicans with a semifinal loss in 2015, they are homing in on a sixth title in the regional championship for the North and Central America and the Caribbean.
Since the Gold Cup was instituted in 1991, Mexico has won seven titles, the United States five and Canada one - in 2000.
But Jamaica is knocking on the door again.
It stunned defending champion Mexico in the semifinals to become the only team besides the US or El Tri to reach back to back finals.
"That's a cycle we want to break," Jamaican coach Theodore Whitmore said of the US-Mexico dominance in the event and the region.
"That's what we, as staff and players, discuss. It's always Mexico-US. We want to be in that top group.
"We want to be a team, a country that someone can talk about. And that's what we're working toward."
Inspired work in goal by captain Andre Blake - and a stunning game winning free kick by Kemar Lawrence in the 1-0 semifinal win againts Mexico - has brought the Caribbean country back in the final.
The Reggae Boyz were well organized defensively and played with composure againts an inexperienced Mexican side, which also had to make do without coach Juan Carlos Osorio as he served a six game FIFA ban for comments about officials at last month's Confederations Cup in Russia.
Jamaica has allowed only two goals across five matches so far.
"We have a bit of youth and experience and that's been taking us through the tournament," Whitmore said. "I think we have a solid back five, including Andre Blake - very organized."
"There are areas of the field that still need to improve , but it's working, obviously, in a tournament. And we have to play according to the tournament to get a result."
Like Mexico, the US brought a young, untried squad into the group stage, but Arena called on the old guard for the knockout rounds and they have not disappointed.
Clint Dempsey equaled the US record with his 57th international goal in the team's 2-0 semifinal victory over Costa Rica.
He could surpass the mark set by Landon Donovan with a goal againts Jamaica.
The US is unbeaten in 13 matches since Arena returned to the helm, replacing Germany's Jurgen Klinsmann who was sacked after a 4-0 loss to Costa Rica in World Cup qualifying.
Costa Rica coach Oscar Ramirez said Arena's return had re energized the USA.
"With Klinsmann there was a certain tension, perhaps because several had problems with him," Ramirez said. "I think Bruce has restored their level."
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