Pochettino called on both players to start against Jamaica on Thursday, and both players came through with standout performances. Pepi scored the opening goal in the fifth minute, and Turner saved a penalty in the 14th minute to help the U.S. secure a victory over the Reggae Boyz, setting up a clear path to advance to the semifinals in March.

Ricardo Pepi scores off a Christian Pulisic pass in the fifth minute, Matt Turner saves a penalty kick and the Americans earn a 1-0 road win in the team’s first competitive match under new coach

The Americans will take a lead to St. Louis for Monday’s second leg after Mauricio Pochettino earned his first competitive win as U.S. coach.