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Following a pair of friendlies with mixed results, the USA will being it’s competitive campaign under Mauricio Pochettino against Jamaica in the CONCACAF Nations League. The first match will be away from home and getting a positive result will be critical for allowing the Americans to finish strong and dictate the second match back in the states. As far as what to watch for, the new manager wants to see a respectful arrogance from his team. The USA is capable of beating Jamaica on the road so earning that result will tell us where the team is early in Poch’s tenure.
A first-ish choice XI
The roster called into the matches is nearly an ideal one for the USA. Tyler Adams is missing and his presence in midfield will be a loss, but Johnny Cardoso has stepped up and is an able replacement with Gianluca Busio also an option in midfield. Gio Reyna was also left out with Malik Tillman getting another look after a lackluster game against Mexico.
These are not ideal absences but having 9 or 10 out of a top choice XI will give more than enough for Poch to field a team that should emerge as winners against Jamaica.
Can set pieces be a factor?
Long a staple of USMNT scoring prowess, goals from set pieces have been a challenge in recent years for the team. Christian Pulisic has emerged as the chosen deliverer of dead ball service for AC Milan and has contributed to goals for his club. In general, scoring for the national team has been lacking in general, but there’s an opportunity for the team to at least change that from set pieces. There’s skill to scoring off of them, but much less so in terms of technical ability.
What the American team lacks in that area can be made up for by being aggressive on corners and free kicks. Pulisic has shown he can put a great ball into good situations, his teammates need to step up and turn them into goals going forward. Brandon Vazquez, should he start, is a big target in the box and Cade Cowell is certainly a strong presence who could potentially cause problems for Jamaica’s defenders.
Road tactics
It’s difficult to draw many conclusions from the friendly against Mexico in terms of what to expect from Pochettino on the road for the USA. The limited roster and way that Mexico dominated a B team from the USA won’t be replicated in Jamaica. Still, with two bites at the apple to advance to the semi-finals, Poch has some options as far as what he will do with his team tactically.
It seems like a priority away from home, and just in general as he moves forward with the USMNT, will be establishing consistent defensive performances. Michail Antonio and Leon Bailey are talented and threatening attackers who Poch will be familiar with from the Premier League. Shutting down the two main scoring options for Jamaica will be a priority and allow the USA to dictate the match more effectively.