The U. S. Men's National Team takes on Jamaica on Thursday in the semifinal of the CONCACAF Nations League, the second appearance in the semis for the Americans.
The USMNT has a stellar record against Jamaica, winning 19 and drawing 10 of its 32 meetings with the Reggae Boyz. Jamaica, however, hasn't lost to the USMNT since 2021. The teams last faced each other in June, when they played to a 1-1 draw in the Gold Cup in Chicago.
Here's what we're keeping an eye on as the teams meet again in Nations League play:
Missing superstars: Jamaica is fielding a weakened team due to injuries, disciplinary suspensions and fatigue. Premier League stars Michail Antonio (West Ham) and Leon Bailey (Aston Villa) are not available for selection.
Jamaica will be missing some serious star power in the Concacaf Nations League semifinal vs. USMNT pic.twitter.com/TVkYYD4WXQ
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) March 20, 2024
But the USMNT isn't looking its best, either. Striker Josh Sargent (Norwich City) and midfielder Luca de la Torre (Celta Vigo) pulled out of this match because of injuries.
Meanwhile, USMNT captain Tyler Adams is expected to return from his year-long ACL injury, but he is not at full fitness and isn't likely to play a full 90 minutes.
ROSTER NEWS: Brenden Aaronson and Haji Wright have been added to the#USMNT roster for the 2024 Concacaf Nations League Finals.
— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) March 17, 2024
They replace Luca de la Torre (right
quadriceps strain) and Josh Sargent (right ankle irritation).
Wishing Luca and Josh a speedy recovery. pic.twitter.com/ktF024lb2J
The USMNT's Italian contingent: Christian Pulisic (AC Milan), Yunus Musah (AC Milan) and Weston McKennie (Juventus) have lit up Italy's Serie A this season with their energy and verve. All three struggled in the shadows at previous clubs and appear to have found their way in Italy.
"I think they respect me here," Pulisic said of Italy, per goal.com. "I think in general, in Europe, the perception of Americans has come a long way from where I started."
FOUR STRAIGHT GAMES WITH A GOAL FOR CHRISTIAN PULISIC
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) March 17, 2024
RAHHHH pic.twitter.com/zyV7ASDssO
It's been a long time since Pulisic, Musah and McKennie have come together for the USMNT. The match against Jamaica is an excellent opportunity for them to show coach Gregg Berhalter how far they've come.
Record-setting play: The Nations League is a relatively new competition, having been introduced in 2018 to give CONCACAF's members more opportunities to play teams near their levels.
The Nations League ensures that teams such as Guadeloupe and Grenada face each other instead of playing, say, the more powerful USMNT or Mexico. So, small teams can improve over time and bigger teams can test themselves against reliably strong opposition.
UEFA, Europe's continental soccer authority, set up a similar competition to achieve the same goals.
The USMNT has won the first two iterations of the Nations League. If it defeats Jamaica on Thursday in Arlington, Texas, it will move on to its third consecutive final.
If it wins that final, it will become the only team on the planet to rack up three consecutive Nations League trophies.
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