Jamaica will be hunting a spot in the semi-finals of the CONCACAF Nations League when they host the United States of America (USA) in the first leg at the National Stadium on Thursday, November 14. 

The Reggae Boyz topped their round of 16 group while the Americans got a bye as one of four top-seeded teams in the region. 

This will be an acid test for head coach Steve McClaren who took charge of the Jamaican team in July 2024, and has led the Boyz to victories against Cuba, Nicaragua and Honduras twice.

“So is this the game we’re really looking forward to,” said McClaren, following another training session on Wednesday.

“The main goal was to get out of the group and… get to this stage, which gives us an opportunity to play against a big team and there’s no bigger team than the USA, with a new coach, world-class coach, and good players,” said McClaren.

The Americans will be coached by Mauricio Pochettino pitting two coaches from England and Argentina battling in CONCACAF. “This is a step up and a test really for how far we’ve come and where we need to get to. So, we’re looking forward to that.” McClaren pointed out.

Jamaica will be missing striker Mikhail Antonio of West Ham who is suspended on yellow cards, while defender Ethan Pinnock of Brentford City, is also missing having picked up a hip injury in his last match for his club and is having to have scans.

Meanwhile, midfielder Bobby Decordova-Reid of Leicester City was granted permission to welcome his newborn baby boy.

Jamaica will welcome back Aston Villa winger Leon Bailey along with Shamar Nicholson who has three goals for Spartak Moscow. It will be interesting to see if McClaren gives Nicholason the striker role ahead of Romario Williams who was the man of the match against Honduras.

Newcastle’s Isaac Hayden should make his debut as the holding midfielder and Mason Holgate of West Brom should have his second start for the Reggae Boyz.

“CONCACAF is different. Isaac will find that out. You know, playing Honduras, playing Nicaragua, playing Cuba, now USA will be totally different,” said McClaren.

Jamaica’s record against the Americans is not the best winning just three of the 33 meetings. The Americans have won 20 with 10 drawn games.

Both teams will face each other for the second time in the Nations League. The first was on March 21, 2024, in the semifinal with the Americans winning 3-1.

“We have to make sure that we have the belief, the confidence and bravery especially. And when I looked at the last game it was very close. The only thing, I was talking to Meron (Gordon) and people who were involved, players involved in that, yes, was good, but we needed to keep the ball better because all the chances were for the USA was transitions when Jamaica get the ball away,” McClaren noted.

The Reggae Boyz will be depending once again on Andre Blake dubbed the ‘Human Wall’ who has a clean sheet in 50 per cent of the games with 45 saves in the Nations League and he will have to be at his best to thwart the Americans.

The Jamaican team will be selected from:

• Goalkeepers: Andre Blake, Jahmali Waite, Shaquan Davis.
• Defenders: Dexter Lembikisa, Tavern Gray, Damion Lowe, Mason Holgate, Richard King, Di’shon Bernard, Amari’i Bell, Greg Leigh.
• Midfielders: Joel Latibeaudiere, Isaac Hayden, Karoy Anderson, Kasey Palmer, Tyreek Magee.
• Forwards: Leon Bailey, Kaheim Dixon, Shamar Nicholson, Romario Williams, Demarai Gray, Renaldo Cephas, Michail Antonio.

Meanwhile, the USA are the defending Nations League champions having won the 2019-2020, 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 editions and will be hard to beat over two legs.

They will be depending on the likes of goalkeeper Matt Turner, along with top scorers Weston McKenzie, Jordon Morris, Giovanni Reyna, Sergino Dest and Christian Pulisic.