Jamaica and USA will square off at Independence Park on Friday in the first leg of their CONCACAF Nations League quarter-final tie.
The visitors enter the competition at this stage thanks to their seeding, while the hosts topped Group B to progress to the knockout rounds.
Match preview
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Jamaica return to action on Friday aiming to build on their impressive CONCACAF Nations League group campaign in their quarter-final first leg, having advanced with an unbeaten record across September and October.
Under the new management of Steve McClaren and in search of a first-ever piece of continental silverware, the Reggae Boyz finished top of Group B with eight points from their four matches, firstly drawing with Cuba before picking up 2-1 and 2-0 away wins over Honduras and Nicaragua respectively.
A home meeting with second-placed Honduras then followed in the final round of fixtures last month, and McClaren’s men kept hold of top spot by seeing out a goalless draw in Kingston.
That meant they head into the latest round of international games with an unbeaten record under McClaren, and Jamaica will now bid to take a lead in their two-legged tie with a first victory over Friday’s opponents since June 2019.
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Their visitors, meanwhile, travel to Independence Park aiming to continue that five-year unbeaten streak against the Reggae Boyz which has spanned seven games, including five victories.
Indeed, USA last met Jamaica in the last edition of the CONCACAF Nations League in March and prevailed in the semi-finals with a 3-1 victory after extra time, thanks to a late Cory Burke own goal to level the scores before Haji Wright netted a decisive brace in the additional half-hour.
The Stars and Stripes went on to succeed in the following final, lifting the Nations League title for the third time thanks to a 2-0 triumph over Mexico courtesy of goals from Tyler Adams and Giovanni Reyna.
Then following a disappointing Copa America showing across June and July, USMNT turned to Mauricio Pochettino in September, and the former Tottenham Hotspur, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea boss experienced a mixed start in a pair of friendlies, overseeing a 2-0 victory over Panama last month before they lost by the same scoreline at the hands of Mexico.
Now heading into their first competitive action under the new manager, USA will bid to extend their fine record against Jamaica and take a lead into next week’s home leg in their bid to again reach the final four and prevail in the CONCACAF Nations League.
Jamaica CONCACAF Nations League form:
Jamaica form (all competitions):
USA form (all competitions):
Team News
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Steve McClaren should field a similar Jamaica starting XI to the one which featured in the goalless draw with Honduras in their final group game last month, with West Ham United forward Michail Antonio bound to again lead the line in a 4-2-3-1 setup.
Bobby De Cordova-Reid should come in from the start in support, though, likely joining Tyreek Magee and Demarai Gray, while Joel Latibeaudiere could again join Kasey Palmer in the engine room.
Despite competition from Di’Shon Bernard, Mason Holgate should again get the nod alongside Brentford’s Ethan Pinnock at the heart of a back four.
USA are without Norwich City striker Josh Sargent due to an injury, while Haji Wright has not been called up to Mauricio Pochettino’s latest squad, but they still have plenty of quality in their ranks.
In Sargent’s absence, Ricardo Pepi should come back in to lead the line from the outset, likely with support from Juventus’ Timothy Weah and AC Milan’s Christian Pulisic, who has netted 31 goals in 74 international caps.
Aidan Morris will hope to continue in the midfield but may have to settle for a substitute appearance behind Brenden Aaronson, Weston McKennie and Yunus Musah.
Jamaica possible starting lineup:
Blake; Lembikisa, Holgate, Pinnock, Leigh; Latibeaudiere, Palmer; De Cordova-Reid, Magee, Gray; Antonio
USA possible starting lineup:
Turner; Scally, Ream, Richards, Robinson; Musah, McKennie; Pulisic, Aaronson, Weah; Pepi
We say: Jamaica 1-2 USA
USA face a tough test on Friday against a Jamaica side rejuvenated under the management of Steve McClaren, but Mauricio Pochettino’s side should have the quality throughout their ranks to prevail on the day and take a lead into their quarter-final home leg.
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