U.S. head to Gold Cup final after 3-1 win over Jamaica

Jul 3, 2019; Nashville, TN, USA; USA Midfielder Weston McKennie (8) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against Jamaica during the first half of semi-final play in the CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer tournament at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

(Reuters) - The United States will face Mexico in the Gold Cup final after two goals from Christian Pulisic helped the hosts to a 3-1 win over Jamaica on Wednesday.

The home side got the perfect start after eight minutes when Weston McKennie stormed into the box to pick up a cut back from Reggie Cannon and sidefoot home from six meters out.

The teams were withdrawn from the field in Nashville after 15 minutes due to lightning but the one-and-a-half hour delay did little to change the momentum as the United States continued to dictate when play resumed.

Jul 3, 2019; Nashville, TN, USA; the United States midfielder Christian Pulisic (10) celebrates after a goal during the second half against Jamaica during semi-final play in the CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer tournament at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

The United States doubled their lead after 52 minutes when Jamaica goalkeeper Andre Blake could only parry Jordan Morris’s shot and Pulisic pounced on the loose ball to score.

Shamar Nicholson headed Jamaica back into contention in 69 minutes, the goal the first the United States have conceded at the tournament, but Man of the Match Pulisic restored the hosts' two-goal cushion three minutes from time when he was once again alert to a rebound from a Paul Arriola shot.

U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter said his side were not put out of their stride by the weather delay.

Jul 3, 2019; Nashville, TN, USA; Jamaica forward Peter Vassell (16) works against United States midfielder Michael Bradley (4) and defender Aaron Long (23) during the first half in semi-final play in the CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer tournament at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

"It’s part of soccer and the guys dealt with it in a really good way," he said. "It gave us time to look at film and give them encouragement ... We showed a relentless spirit when we came back out tonight."

Jamaica's Blake said his team had given their all.

"The guys did a great job tonight, unfortunately the result didn’t go our way," he added. "I think this is probably our best game all tournament, that happens sometimes."

Jul 3, 2019; Nashville, TN, USA; Jamaica forward Peter Vassell (16) has the ball kicked away by United States defender Aaron Long (23) after getting past midfielder Michael Bradley (4) during the first half in semi-final play in the CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer tournament at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

The defending champions will now play arch rivals Mexico in Sunday’s final at Soldier Field in Chicago.

The two have met in the Gold Cup final five times, with Mexico victorious all but once -- in 2007 when the United States won 2-1, also at Soldier Field.

Jul 3, 2019; Nashville, TN, USA; United States defender Tim Ream (13) heads the ball in the first half against Jamaica during semi-final play in the CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer tournament at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

(Reporting by Andrew Downie; Editing by Peter Rutherford)

Jul 3, 2019; Nashville, TN, USA; Jamaica goalkeeper Andre Blake (1) makes a save on a shot from United States forward Jordan Morris (11) in the first half during semi-final play in the CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer tournament at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Jul 3, 2019; Nashville, TN, USA; United States forward Jordan Morris (11) kicks the ball away from Jamaica defender Kemar Lawrence (20) during the first half during semi-final play in the CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer tournament at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Jul 3, 2019; Nashville, TN, USA; Jamaica defender Kemar Lawrence (20) leaps over Jamaica goalkeeper Andre Blake (1) as he blocks the shot by USA forward Jordan Morris (11) during the first half of semi-final play in the CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer tournament at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

Jul 3, 2019; Nashville, TN, USA; USA goalkeeper Zack Steffen (1) blocks the shoot by Jamaica during the first half of semi-final play in the CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer tournament at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

Jul 3, 2019; Nashville, TN, USA; Jamaica defender Kemar Lawrence (20) battles for the ball with USA defender Reggie Cannon (14) during the first half of semi-final play in the CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer tournament at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports