The US Males’s Nationwide Crew 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 in opposition to Panama and Mexico have been each friendlies.
Jamaica is a well-known 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 objectives to tug off a 3-1 win.
That victory—and the staff’s real wrestle to realize it—sheds some gentle on how the USMNT may fare in its upcoming Jamaica double header. Listed below are the important thing takeaways from the final assembly between the groups.
Joe Scally and Antonee Robinson struggled in protection
The USMNT was extensively anticipated to win this Nations League semifinal, however issues acquired off to a tough begin when left again Greg Leigh gave Jamaica a shock 1-0 lead within the first minute. Leigh’s header was sensible—there is not any doubt about it—nevertheless it 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 submit 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 implausible gamers once they’re attacking. Each add width and dynamism to the USMNT’s entrance line once they run down their respective flanks. When requested to defend, although, Robinson and Scally usually fail to fulfill the identical normal. They struggled mightily of their final match in opposition to Jamaica, and this double header can 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 acquired 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 in opposition to 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 accessible to face Jamaica this week. His position should 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 carefully 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 constructive 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 objectives 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 objectives sealed the match for the USMNT.
Like Reyna, although, Wright injured himself within the run-up to those matches and will not be accessible for choice. That implies that Pochettino wants to seek out somebody related—huge, highly effective and unafraid—to fill his footwear.
Monterrey striker Brandon Vazquez looks like an incredible choice. He is acquired Wright’s physicality and angle and will pair properly with the USMNT’s trickier wingers like Aaronson and Malik Tillman. Pochettino would do properly to present Vazquez an opportunity.
The USMNT will tackle Jamaica on Thursday, Nov. 14 in Kingston. It’ll host the Reggae Boyz within the return leg on Monday, Nov. 18 in St. Louis.
