The United States men’s soccer team claimed a 4-2 win over Jamaica in their CONCACAF Nations League quarter-final second leg on Monday
Christian Pulisic became the latest high-profile sportsman to imitate Donald Trump’s renowned campaign-trail dance after scoring the opening goal for the United States men’s football team in their CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal match against Jamaica on Monday.
The goal came from a brilliant assist by Juventus player Weston McKennie, who picked up the ball on the right wing and delivered a defence-splitting pass to Pulisic at the edge of the penalty box. With just one touch, Pulisic fired the ball into the net in the 13th minute, doubling USMNT’s lead on aggregate.
The 26-year-old former Chelsea star celebrated his goal by throwing one arm in the air and performing the dance that Trump made famous during his re-election campaign. Trump went on to defeat Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris the following day, having secured enough electoral votes and winning the popular vote as well.
Further goals in the match ensured the result was as certain as possible. By half-time, Pulisic had added a second goal after 33 minutes, followed by Ricardo Pepi’s 42nd-minute goal, making it 3-0 on the night and 4-0 on aggregate. Pepi was also the sole scorer in the first leg of the quarter-final held at the National Stadium Independence Park, in Kingston.
The game eventually finished 4-2 on the night with the United States comfortably coming out on top on aggregate despite Demarai Gray’s double for Jamaica. But it was Pulisic’s celebration which was among the biggest talking points.
It is just the latest in a series of Trump-inspired celebrations that US athletes have been showcasing during pivotal moments in recent games. On Sunday, Brock Bowers, the tight end for the Las Vegas Raiders, caught a 23-yard touchdown pass from Gardner Minshew in the third quarter, bringing Vegas back into the game against the Miami Dolphins.
In celebration, Bowers replicated Trump’s iconic dance in the end zone. Bowers revealed to USA Today reporter Safid Deen that he was inspired by the UFC fight he watched the previous night.
“I’ve seen everyone do it. I watched the UFC fight … and Jon Jones did it. I like watching UFC so I saw it, and thought it was cool,” Bowers said.
Jones had defeated former UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic with a brutal spinning back kick to the body in the main event of UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, retaining his UFC heavyweight title.
With Trump himself in attendance, alongside Robert Kennedy Jr and Mike Johnson, Jones performed the Trump dance during his post-fight victory speech. The win over Miocic extended Jones’ professional MMA record to 28 wins (11 KOs and 7 Subs) against one defeat via disqualification.
