America Males’s Nationwide Group will tackle Jamaica in a two-legged CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal this week. The video games are coach Mauricio Pochettino’s first aggressive matches answerable for the USMNT, as his debut matches towards Panama and Mexico have been each friendlies.
Jamaica is a well-recognized foe for the USMNT: the groups have confronted off 33 occasions since 1988. They final met in March of 2024, when the USMNT scored some fortuitous late targets to tug off a 3-1 win.
That victory—and the workforce’s real battle to attain it—sheds some gentle on how the USMNT would possibly fare in its upcoming Jamaica double header. Listed here are the important thing takeaways from the final assembly between the groups.
Joe Scally and Antonee Robinson struggled in protection
The USMNT was broadly anticipated to win this Nations League semifinal, however issues bought off to a difficult begin when left again Greg Leigh gave Jamaica a shock 1-0 lead within the first minute. Leigh’s header was good—there is not any doubt about it—but it surely was the product of two severe errors from the USMNT’s full backs. Robinson erred first, ceding possession to the Reggae Boyz in a harmful space after misplaying the ball, however Scally made the largest mistake of all. He did not mark Leigh on the far put up and gave him loads of area to knock Jamaica’s cross into the again of the online.
Robinson and Scally are an attention-grabbing case. They’re unbelievable gamers after they’re attacking. Each add width and dynamism to the USMNT’s entrance line after they run down their respective flanks. When requested to defend, although, Robinson and Scally typically fail to satisfy the identical customary. They struggled mightily of their final match towards Jamaica, and this double header will probably be a possibility for Pochettino (and USMNT followers) to see in the event that they’ve discovered their lesson.
Gio Reyna made all of the distinction
Reyna is a controversial participant. His unprofessionalism on the 2022 World Cup bought him in bother with then-coach Gregg Berhalter and introduced him down within the estimation of many USMNT followers. However there is not any denying that when Reyna’s on, he is on—and his second-half look towards Jamaica was the change that tipped the match within the USMNT’s favor. His pace, intelligence and unselfishness within the ultimate third opened up dozens of alternatives for the USMNT’s strikers.
Sadly, Reyna suffered a groin damage in coaching and will not be out there to face Jamaica this week. His function must be performed by both Yunus Musah, a central midfielder that Pochettino likes sticking on the far flank, or Brendan Aaronson, a quick-footed winger extra intently matched to Reyna’s profile. The extra these two can mimic Reyna’s actions, the higher the USMNT will fare.
Haji Wright confirmed up in a giant method
Reyna’s second-half introduction wasn’t the one optimistic change for the USMNT: Coventry Metropolis striker Haji Wright’s entrance within the 63rd minute made a giant distinction, too. Wright is a wierd and sometimes inscrutable participant for the USMNT, one able to spectacular targets and spectacular misses in equal measure. You by no means actually know what you are going to get with him, however Wright introduced his finest within the final assembly with Jamaica. His two late targets sealed the match for the USMNT.
Like Reyna, although, Wright injured himself within the run-up to those matches and will not be out there for choice. That signifies that Pochettino wants to search out somebody comparable—large, highly effective and unafraid—to fill his footwear.
Monterrey striker Brandon Vazquez looks like an ideal possibility. He is bought Wright’s physicality and perspective and may pair effectively with the USMNT’s trickier wingers like Aaronson and Malik Tillman. Pochettino would do effectively to offer Vazquez an opportunity.
The USMNT will tackle Jamaica on Thursday, Nov. 14 in Kingston. It’s going to host the Reggae Boyz within the return leg on Monday, Nov. 18 in St. Louis.
