America 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 towards Panama and Mexico have been each friendlies.
Jamaica is a well-known foe for the USMNT: the groups have confronted off 33 instances 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 crew’s real battle to attain it—sheds some gentle on how the USMNT may 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 extensively 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 most important mistake of all. He did not mark Leigh on the far submit and gave him loads of house to knock Jamaica’s cross into the again of the web.
Robinson and Scally are an attention-grabbing case. They’re improbable 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 normal. They struggled mightily of their final match towards Jamaica, and this double header shall 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 hassle 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 remaining third opened up dozens of alternatives for the USMNT’s strikers.
Sadly, Reyna suffered a groin harm in coaching and will not be accessible to face Jamaica this week. His function 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 an enormous 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 an enormous distinction, too. Wright is an odd and infrequently 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—large, highly effective and unafraid—to fill his sneakers.
Monterrey striker Brandon Vazquez looks like an ideal possibility. He is bought Wright’s physicality and angle and will pair nicely with the USMNT’s trickier wingers like Aaronson and Malik Tillman. Pochettino would do nicely 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.