The Reggae Boyz defeated the Americans for the second time in 23 meetings and became the first Caribbean country to reach the final of the biennial regional tournament. They will face Mexico or Panama on Sunday in Philadelphia.
This was no fluke: Jamaica was the superior side in the first half, collecting goals by MLS-based forwards Darren Mattocks and Giles Barnes.
Michael Bradley halved the deficit early in the second half, and Jamaica absorbed hellacious pressure for 15 minutes before regaining their composure.
Jurgen Klinsmann's squad fell short of the title game for the first time since 2003 and was eliminated by a CONCACAF team before the final for the first time. Previously, only guest teams Colombia and Brazil (twice) had knocked the Americans out.
By falling short of the title, the defending champions missed a chance to clinch a berth in the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup in Russia, a dress rehearsal for the World Cup a year later. Now, they will have to win a playoff this fall against the 2015 Gold Cup winners.
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Klinsmann made two changes on the back line: John Brooks, suspended for the 6-0 romp over Cuba in the quarterfinals, returned to central defense and Brad Evans replaced Timmy Chandler at right back. Chandler had left at halftime of the quarterfinal and hadn't practiced fully the past three days.
Mattocks and Je-Vaughn Watson returned from yellow card suspensions, bolstering a Jamaican lineup that had blended attacking bite with defensive organization en route to three consecutive shutout victories.
Under German Coach Winfried Schaefer, the Reggae Boyz were bubbling with confidence and energy.
They turned U.S. giveaways into rapid counterattacks and drew an early free kick on the edge of the penalty area and two corner kicks.
The Americans began to find their way midway through the first half, working combinations on both flanks to infiltrate the penalty area.
At the end of Bradley's charge in the 24th minute, Gyasi Zardes should have done better from 18 yards.
Barnes could've shattered the deadlock moments later but failed to finish a deflected cross from nine yards.
In the 28th minute, Aron Johannsson pressured goalkeeper Ryan Thomson fiddling with a back pass deep in the box and poked the ball almost into the net.
Thompson redeemed himself in the 29th, extending to his left to push away Fabian Johnson's bending bid.
Jamaica went ahead in the 31st minute off, of all things, a throw-in. From the heart of the penalty area, Mattocks beat Brooks to Kemar Lawrence's long throw-in and floated a header toward the back side.
Beyond Brad Guzan's reach, the ball caromed off the right post and bounded along the goal line before kissing the left post and spinning into the net.
Four minutes later, Guzan was called for going beyond the penalty area to punch the ball, resulting in a free kick in a menacing spot.
Barnes lashed the ball over the defensive wall with pace and purpose. Guzan didn't have a prayer. The ball screamed into the top right corner, touching off wild celebrations around Barnes at a corner flag and in front of the Jamaican bench.
The Americans were desperate to answer before intermission. Clint Dempsey roared into the penalty area but was stuffed by the charging Thompson.
The Americans thought they would have a goalkeeping advantage, what with Guzan plying his trade in the Premier League and Thompson serving with the third-division Pittsburgh Riverhounds. But through 45 minutes, Guzan had been beaten twice while Thompson remained cool under duress early and late in the half.
The match turned three minutes after intermission. Thompson cracked, spilling Aron Johannsson's 20-yard bid. Dempsey charged. As he, the goalkeeper and a defender converged, the ball squirted to Bradley for a routine finish.
A torrent of chances then flooded the Jamaican end. Thompson couldn't handle Johnson's free kick, but Johannsson headed the rebound over the crossbar from close distance. Ventura Alvarado's touch deep in the box was smothered.
In the 57th minute, Bradley's searing drive from 25 yards struck Thompson in the chest and hit the left post.
The Reggae Boyz attempted to stem the tide by slowing the pace and keeping possession. The tactic worked, settling nerves and taking the Americans out of their rhythm.
U.S. opportunities continued to flow but not with the same unrelenting regularity. Klinsmann made his moves, inserting Mix Diskerud, a clever midfielder, Alan Gordon, a bruising target man, and DeAndre Yedlin, a swift winger.
The chances evaporated, however, and the Americans ran out of time.
Gold Cup notes: Sunday's final is sold out, CONCACAF announced. A crowd of more than 66,000 is expected, though U.S. elimination will impact the actual turnout. . . . The third-place match is scheduled for Saturday afternoon at the Union's PPL Park in Chester, Pennsylvania.
