Christian Pulisic helped the United States national team reach the semi-finals of the 2019 Gold Cup with a narrow 1-0 win over Curacao in Philadelphia.The USA are one of the host nations of the international tournament for countries in the CONCACAF region and playing in his home state, Pulisic captained the side in their latest win having been used as a substitute in their final group game when qualification for the quarter-finals was already assured. Matt Miazga, who started that group-stage win over Panama, was back on the bench.The deciding goal against a Curacao side who were playing in the knockout stages for the first time in their nation’s history came with 25 minutes played.

Pulisic had seen one shot go wide and had another well-saved in the opening stages and now he supplied his third assist of the tournament. From out wide he evaded his marker to send over a perfect cross for Weston McKennie of Schalke to head in.After that chances were scarce but the USA side were able to hold on to their lead even if their performance did not hit top gear.Their semi-final will be against Jamaica in Nashville on Wednesday, with Haiti playing Mexico in the other semi-final.Jamaica reached the last four with a 1-0 win over Panama. Michael Hector was at the heart of the defence that kept a clean sheet with the winning goal coming with 15 minutes left to play, scored by Darren Mattocks who plays his club football in the MLS.