Having debuted as new USMNT head coach last month in a pair of friendlies, Mauricio Pochettino now gets his first taste of competitive CONCACAF action as the U.S. men meet Jamaica in the first of their two-legged Nations League quarterfinal matchup.

Pochettino will have minimal time to get the United States ready to perform its best on home soil in the 2026 World Cup, and that preparation remains the chief goal of the next 18 months.

Yet the USMNT will also look to defend its status as the sole title winner of the CONCACAF Nations League, having hoisted the trophy in each of the first three iterations of the competition thus far.

Jamaica have been a constant thorn in the side of the United States over the years, especially in Kingston where the U.S. has been made to work on a consistent basis in recent matches. They have won three of their last five trips to the Caribbean nation, with all three of those victories coming via a tense finish that featured key late goals.

MORE: A complete guide to betting on soccer in the United States

Jamaica vs. USA prediction, odds

With most of the best USMNT players back and available for selection, Mauricio Pochettino will have a good chance of unleashing the hounds on the Reggae Boyz in this first leg.

Road matches in CONCACAF are always a dicey affair, as poor pitch condition and negative tactics can drag matches down, but the U.S. should manage to secure a solid advantage before going back home to St. Louis for the decider.

MORE: How to watch & stream Jamaica vs. USA

Jamaica vs. USA match facts

• Date: Thursday, November 14, 2024
• Kickoff Time: 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT
• Location: Independence Park (Kingston, Jamaica)
• Referee: Juan Calderon (CRC)
• Last meeting: USA 3-1 Jamaica (Mar. 21, 2024 | CONCACAF Nations League)

Jamaica vs. USA best bet

• Pick: Both teams to score — Yes
• Odds: +100 (BetMGM)

While Jamaica are likely to try and sit back and defend, their counter-attack has been extremely effective against the United States in the recent past.

Taking the over would be a bold move, and probably unadvisable, but both teams have scored in each of the last three meetings between these two sides (two of which are 1-1 draws), and four of the last six across all competitions. Especially if an aging Tim Ream starts at the back for the United States, Jamaica could be a good bet to find the net at least once.

Jamaica vs. USA prop bet

• Pick: Christian Pulisic anytime goal scorer
• Odds: +210 (BetMGM)

These odds are, quite frankly, astonishing. For a player in exceptional form in a national team game without both Folarin Balogun and Josh Sargent available, Christian Pulisic is probably the most likely of any player on the pitch to find the net.

Pulisic has scored a goal in eight of his 18 matches across all competitions this season for club and country, plus an assist in four others (he has just one game with a goal and assist in the same match). While the goal scoring form has cooled a bit in recent weeks, he still looks a positive impact in the attacking third, especially for the United States having bagged an important goal off the bench against New Zealand in September.

• Pick: Ricardo Pepi anytime goal scorer
• Odds: +200 (BetMGM)

While Ricardo Pepi has often been more of a creator than finisher for the United States, known for his pressing more than his finishing on the national team level, he’s in great goal scoring form for his club PSV, bagging seven goals in Eredivisie play this season despite playing largely a super-sub role.

When in the starting lineup for PSV this season, he’s struck for five goals across the three games when given a spot in the XI.

The 21-year-old also has history against Jamaica, scored a brace against the Reggae Boyz in just his second international appearance back in 2021, and could be in line for another good performance.