SANTA CLARA, Calif: The United States defeated Jamaica 2-1 in the CONCACAF Gold Cup final to extend their unbeaten run to 14 games ahead of a return of their focus to qualifying for the World Cup finals in Russia next year.

The United States are unbeaten since Bruce Arena replaced Jurgen Klinsmann as coach last November, moving up to third in CONCACAF’s six-team final qualifying round where the top three sides get an automatic berth for Russia.

The fourth placed side will take on a team from the Asian confederation for another place at the finals.

Arena said: “We’ve made progress but we are a long way from qualifying for a World Cup and that’s the objective.”

A free kick from Jozy Altidore provided the US with a 1-0 half-time lead but Je-Vaughn Watson equalised shortly after the interval after a corner.

The US regained command with Clint Dempsey have a header deflected on to a post before Morris Jordan struck an 88th-minute winner.

In the World Cup qualifiers the US return to duty against Costa Rica on September 1 followed by matches against Honduras, Panama, and Trinidad and Tobago.

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