Jamaica will have the herculean task of overturning a one-goal deficit against the United States of America as they hunt a spot in the semi-final of the CONCACAF Nations League.

The Reggae Boyz are in St. Louis, Missouri, for an 8:00 pm assignment with the Americans after losing the first leg 0-1 in Kingston, but coach Steve McClaren remains steadfast that they can pull it off and come away with a rare win.

“I thought we were unfortunate to come away with a defeat, albeit just one goal. But we’re disappointed with the result on Thursday,” said McClaren.

“We felt we did enough to at least draw the game, but we didn’t in the end. But we’re still in the tie and away from home; we’ve been in good form recently,” he added.
McClaren has yet to lead Jamaica to victory at home drawing with Cuba and Honduras but has secured two away wins against Nicaragua and Honduras.

“This will be a completely different game altogether. We know that USA on home soil is a totally different team,” he pointed out.

Jamaica will have to do without West Ham striker Mikhail Antonio once again as he and young striker Kaheim Dixon of Charlon Athletics have passport issues.

Top defender Ethan Pinnock of Brentford City has not recovered in time, while Bobby Decordova-Reid is still out after welcoming a baby boy to his family last week. The Reggae Boyz will also be without Mason Holgate, who picked up a red card in the first leg.

But there is good news as the talented playmaker Ravel Morrison is back in the squad as the Reggae Boyz struggled recently without that creative midfielder.

McClaren is expected to once again start with Shamar Nicholason leading the attack, along with Leon Bailey on the right and Demarai Grey on the left.

He deployed a 3-4-3 formation in the first leg, and the Englishman is expected to thrust his system as he hunts at least two goals to win the tie.

But it will be interesting to see if he will give the holding role to Isaac Hayden of Newcastle United ahead of Coventry City’s Joel Latibeaudiere, as Hayden came on as a substitute in the first leg and wowed the fans and looked a natural fit.

Amari’I Bell of Luton Town, Damion Lowe of Al Okhdood, and Dexter Lembikisa of Wolves should be joined in the backline by Di’shon Bernard of Sheffield on Wednesday. Captain Andre Blake will of course be between the sticks.