COUVA, Trinidad & Tobago – The finish of the U.S.’s 2-1 victory over Jamaica in the CONCACAF Women’s Under-20 Championship match could not have been wilder or more dramatic.

Only a minute after allowing the Reggae Girlz to register the equalizing goal, the Americans found a way to win and book a spot in the competition’s semifinals.

Second-half substitute Jaelin Howell scored in the 89th minute to snap 1-1 draw at Ato Boldon Stadium.

The result boosted the U.S. (2-0-0, 6 points) into the final four along with group-leader Mexico (2-0-0, 6), 2-0 winners over Nicaragua in the opening game of the doubleheader.

A late surge helped the Jamaicans knot things up in the 88th minute.

Olufolasade Adamolekun sent a long free kick from the left flank to the far post. Jody Brown headed the ball across the goalmouth to Jadyn Matthews, who knocked the ball in from point-blank range past goalkeeper Amanda McGlynn.

It was a rare goal surrendered by the U.S. in the U-20 qualifying competition, the 15th in 40 matches.

Barely a minute later, the U.S. found the game-winner. Howell put home a left-wing feed by Sophia Smith past goalkeeper Sydney Schneider from four yards.

Smith, who took six shots in the first half, lifted the U.S. into a 1-0 lead in the 42nd minute as she fired a 20-yard free kick over a defensive wall into the right corner.

Had it not been for Schneider, Jamaica would have not had an opportunity to equalize. She was spectacular, producing several saves to keep the Jamaicans within striking distance.

The Americans complete group play against Mexico while Nicaragua faces Jamaica.

Scoring Summary:

USA – Sophia Smith                                          42nd minute
JAM – Jadyn Matthews (Jody Brown)               88
USA – Jaelin Howell (Sophia Smith)                 89

Lineups:
USA: 12-Amanda McGlynn; 4-Naomi Girma; 13-Tara McKeown, 5-Isabel Rodriguez, 6-Zoe Morse; 8-Brianna Pinto, 15-Viviana Villacorta, 9-Savannah DeMelo (capt.) (18-Jaelin Howell, 65); 16-Kelsey Turnbow (2-Ashley Sanchez, 45), 3-Sophia Smith, 20-Civana Kuhlmann (11-Abigail Kim, 77)
Subs not used: 1-Laurel Ivory, 7-Taryn Torres, 10-Samantha Coffey, 14-Karina Rodriguez, 17-Kiara Pickett
Head coach: Jitka Klimkova

JAM: 1-Sydney Schneider (c); 3-Chyanne Dennis, 2-Madiya Harriott, 6-Gabrielle Gayle, 15-Jayden Matthews; 16-Ebony Clarke (9-Olufolasade Adamolekun, 55), 14-Mireya Grey (20-Shayla Smart, 87), 19-Alyssa Julien, 10-Jody Brown, 11-Giselle Washington; 7-Marlee Fray (17-Jazmin Grant, 71)
Subs not used: 4-Nevillgail Able, 5-Kevena Reid, 8-Jayda Pelaia-Hylton, 12-Erin Mikalsen, 13-Yazmeen Jamieson, 18-Emily Caza
Head coach: Lorne Donaldson

Stats Summary: USA / JAM
Shots: 27 / 9
Shots on Goal: 10 / 4
Saves: 3 / 8
Corner Kicks: 7 / 2
Fouls: 10 / 14
Offside: 1 / 1

Misconduct Summary:
None

Officials: 
Referee: Carol-Anne Chenard (CAN)
Assistant Referee 1: Chantel Boudreau (CAN)
Assistant Referee 2:  Shirley Perello (HON)
4th Official: Marion Leon (SLV)

ussoccer.com Woman of the Match: Sophia Smith

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.