Haji Wright Uplifts USMNT Fans as 2 Late Goals Seal Nations League Win vs. Jamaica

It wasn't pretty, but a win is a win.

The United States needed needed every last second—and then extra time after that—to beat Jamaica 3-1 in Thursday night's CONCACAF Nations League semifinal.

Despite dominating possession, with 78 percent over the duration of the match, it was only a Cory Burke own-goal in the final minute of second-half stoppage time that kept the United States alive.

The Americans didn't wait to see their fate decided in penalties, as Haji Wright scored a brace in extra time to wrap things up and send the USMNT to the final.

That changed the narrative on the night. This was trending toward an angst-ridden airing of grievances on social media as the United State's attack sputtered and struggled to break down Jamaica's deep block for most of the match.

As you might imagine, the spears were sharpened and pointed toward manager Gregg Berhalter:

But an own goal and Wright's brace provided a reprieve, and USMNT supporters seemed happy to have some positivity to focus on, even if the victory didn't completely erase what was still a disappointing performance:

This could have been a much different evening after the Americans gave up a goal just 30 seconds into the game—and on a throw-in, no less.

That began a 90-minute slog, as the United States dominated possession but just couldn't seem to break down Jamaica's deep block. No amount of substitutions or tactical tweaks seemed to help. And all of that, on home soil at Arlington's AT&T Stadium, despite Jamaican being far less than full strength.

In the end, the match was salvaged and the United States are off to the final against either Mexico or Panama. But alarm bells surely are ringing around this team at the moment. Another performance like this one won't cut it in the final.

The United States were wasteful against Jamaica. If that's a trend, the disappointment that was so close to manifesting on Thursday night will come to fruition.