It's only the fourth of 14 World Cup qualifiers that will be played by the U.S. men's national team, but Thursday's home game against Jamaica is a big one. Costly points dropped at home cost the USA a spot in the 2018 FIFA World Cup, and after drawing Canada 1-1 in Nashville, Tenn., last month, the Americans need all three points against Jamaica in Austin, Texas, on Thursday.
The Reggae Boyz are short-handed and in last place in the eight-team CONCACAF World Cup qualifying standings with a lone point — only the top three book a ticket to Qatar in 2022 and the fourth-place team gets to play in a play-in series — but they will still prove a challenge. Jamaica has always played the USA tough and it held the Americans scoreless until the 83rd minute in their recent Gold Cup quarterfinal.
Plus, the USMNT will be missing three key players — Christian Pulisic (ankle), Gio Reyna (hamstring) and John Books (back) — because of injury, and it's a young squad that's still finding its way. All eyes will be on 18-year-old striker Ricardo Pepi, who has fans buzzing after his exploits last month; young defender Chris Richards, who is expected to fill in for Brooks; and Weston McKennie, who is back from last month's suspension and is starting.
Sporting News will be following the event live and providing score updates, commentary and highlights as they happen.
MORE on USMNT:
- Three players to fill the shoes of Pulisic & Reyna
- DeCourcy: Berhalter has no real choice for his No. 1 'keeper
- USMNT's best striker is obvious now
USA vs. Jamaica live score
| 1H | 2H | Final | |
| USA | — | — | — |
| Jamaica | — | — | — |
Goals: None
USA vs. Jamaica updates & highlights
Standings and results: Updated World Cup qualifying table
(All times Eastern)
6:09 p.m.: Bus is almost at the stadium.
A motorcade-led bus has arrived on Burnet. #USMNT pic.twitter.com/2EVfo8S8gN
— Eric Goodman (@Goodman) October 7, 2021
USA vs. Jamaica: Lineups
It will create plenty of chatter if U.S. manager Gregg Berhalter opts for Zack Steffen over Matt Turner at goalkeeper, and we'll see if he gives Pepi a second straight start. If Yunus Musah is not thrown right into the starting XI after needing a follow-up COVID-19 test, it should be Kellyn Acosta or Sebastian Lletget in central midfield.
USA projected starting lineup (4-3-3, left to right): Matt Turner-GK — Antonee Robinson, Chris Richards, Miles Robinson, Sergino Dest — Kellyn Acosta, Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie — Brenden Aaronson, Ricardo Pepi, Tim Weah
USA projected subs: Zack Steffen-GK, Sean Johnson-GK, Shaq Moore, DeAndre Yedlin, George Bello, Mark McKenzie, Walker Zimmerman, Gianluca Busio, Luca de la Torre, Sebastian Lletget, Cristian Roldan, Yunus Musah, Paul Arriola, Gyasi Zardes, Matthew Hoppe
As mentioned, the Reggae Boyz are short-handed. According to local reports, they will be missing three England-based players because of injury: Ethan Pinnock (Brentford), Liam Moore (Reading) and Daniel Johnson (Preston North End). That's on top of Leon Bailey (Aston Villa) and Michail Antonio (West Ham) already being out. But Jamaica is still optimistic. "We have enough quality in the squad to beat these Americans," assistant coach Paul Hall told the Jamaica Observer.
Jamaica projected starting lineup (4-4-2, left to right): Andre Blake-GK — Kemar Lawrence, Damion Lowe, Adrian Mariappa, Alvas Powell — Junior Flemmings, Devon "Speedy" Williams, Jevaughn Watson, Andre Gray — Shamar Nicholson, Bobby Reid
Jamaica projected subs: Dillon Barnes-GK, Jeadine White-GK, Javain Brown, Oniel Fisher, Jamoi Topey, Tyreek Magee, Javon East, Jamal Lowe, Kemar Roofe
How to watch USA vs. Jamaica
- Date: Thursday, Oct. 7
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- TV channel: ESPN2
- Spanish-language TV: Univision, TUDN
- Streaming: fuboTV, ESPN+
The World Cup qualifier between the USA and Jamaica will be televised in English (ESPN2) and Spanish (Univision, TUDN). Those networks are available to be streamed on fuboTV, which offers a free seven-day trial for new users.
The match will be held at a sold-out Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas. It will be the first USMNT match at the venue, which opened in June. The U.S. women’s national team played the first match at the venue.
USA vs. Jamaica: Betting odds & prediction
Odds courtesy of DraftKings
Pick: USA -1.25 Asian Handicap (-140)
The USMNT is the clear favorite to win the match and the only question is how many goals the Americans will score. The Jamaicans will play defense-first and when they're on their game and goalkeeper Andre Blake is having a blinder, they can stymie the best teams (see the opening match vs. Mexico). They’ve also capitulated in other matches.
Even with a decimated Jamaica squad, it's best to steer away from goal totals. Because the sides are unplayable, the focus turns to the spreads market. Seeking some insurance in case Jamaica has one of those games, the recommended play is the USA -1.25 Asian Handicap, which gives you back half your bet if the USA only wins by a goal.
Prediction: USA 3, Jamaica 1
- Moneyline: USA -330/Draw +425/Jamaica +750
- Spread: USA -1.5 (+100)/Jamaica +1.5 (-120)
- O/U 2.5 total goals: Over -130/Under +105
- Both teams to score: Yes +120/No -160