Concacaf Nations League Ja vs. USA

"Dimmi" is now playing in the Saudi Arabian league and his down turn for the national team has coincided with his move to the Gulf Region.

In reply to JoeGrine

Predictions

The USA enters the match as favorites, given their strong home record and recent performances.

However, Jamaica has shown resilience, which could pose a significant challenge, especially with their home support in the first leg.

Boyz 2 US 1

In reply to XDFIX

With your prediction, Jamaica advances. We haven't had much success in the USA so let's see.........

In reply to JoeGrine

I am tracking your reviews:

USA vs. Reggae Boyz First Leg Review

Jamaica was expected to at least hold the U.S. to a draw in their first-leg match, but unfortunately, the result was a great disappointment not only for the Boyz but also for the fans.

The U.S. struck the first blow by winning the match 1 nil.

Below is how one fan reviews the match.

1. The team is coming together; they just need to play more games together. This should make our approach less robotic and ungainly.
2. Add Ravel Morrison, Reiss Nelson, Lewis Baker, and hopefully Mason Greenwood, and we will arrive at the best we can be.
3. The coach asked Jamaica to high-press a top CONCACAF team, and they mostly did a good job.
4. The field was atrocious and extremely soggy near corner flags and other spots.
5. The referee missed a penalty for Jamaica. With VAR in operation, could Bailey (who rushed to take the resulting corner and a senior out player) have protested and delayed the second corner to bring more attention to the need to look at the VAR?

RATINGS:

GK: BLAKE (7) - made an important save to preserve the deficit at one goal. He still needs to work with ball distribution using his feet.
LB: BELL (6)—decent showing. I'm not sold on him as our preferred left-back (I prefer Leigh). The coach blundered by having both players on the pitch simultaneously.
CB: LOWE (6.5) - good in defense, picked up his obligatory yellow card. He attempted fourteen passes out of the back and connected on two!!!!!!
RB: HOLGATE (5.5) - a more refined enforcer than Lowe and a "hot head." He needs to be more measured with his going-forward inclinations.
WML: LEIGH (6) - was decent in attack and defending. He played a bit higher (due to Bell's inclusion) than usual.
AM: PALMER (5) - struggles to make the basic passes one would expect from an attacking midfielder. A liability in defense, the ball watches a lot.
DM: LATIBUDIERRE (6) - skillful performance but clearly not a top-quality defensive midfielder. He better understands the coach's system, hence the start.
WMR: LEMBIKISA (6.5) for me, our standout defender. He combined well going forward.
LW: GREY (4.5) - this is not the same player who starred on debut for Jamaica. His game is totally out of sorts.
F: NICHOLSON (6.5) - had an admirable game utilizing his size and pace to good effect.
RW: BAILEY (5.5) - but for a wonderful release pass to Cephas and a curling corner kick, he continued his marginal play in the national colors.

SUBSTITUTES:

LW: CEPHAS (6.5) - he added life to the team and created problems for the defense with his speed. He needs to make quick passes to open players.
CDM: HAYDEN (5.5) - He showed himself to be a good reader of the game with his subtle positioning, which caused the USA to redirect its forward movements.
AM: MAGEE (did not significantly impose himself on the game. He is not ready for this level; however, he belongs in the team's long-term plan.
F: WILLIAMS - did little in his 15 minutes to warrant a grade.

USA vs. Reggae Boyz Preview

The upcoming match between the USA and Jamaica, known as the "Reggae Boyz," is set to be an exciting clash in the CONCACAF Nations League Quarter-Finals. Here's a preview of what to expect:

Match Details

• Date: November 18, 2024
• Time: 8:00 PM EST
• Venue: CityPark, St. Louis, Missouri
• Broadcast: TNT, TruTV, Universo, Max, Peacock, and Fútbol de Primera Radio

Team Form

• USA: The U.S. Men's National Team (USMNT) is coming off a 1-0 victory in the first leg of the quarter-final held in Kingston. Under new head coach Mauricio Pochettino, the team has shown resilience and a strong defensive record.
• Jamaica: The Reggae Boyz have had an impressive run in the group stage, finishing top of Group B with an unbeaten record.

They are determined to secure their first-ever piece of continental silverware under the management of Steve McClaren.
Key Players to Watch

• USA: Brenden Aaronson, Weston McKennie, and Miles Robinson have been standout performers for the USMNT.
• Jamaica: Leon Bailey and Shamar Nicholson are key players for the Reggae Boyz, known for their attacking prowess.

Predictions

The USA enters the match as favorites, given their strong home record and recent performances.
However, Jamaica has shown resilience, which could pose a significant challenge, especially with their home support in the first leg.

My prediction is Reggae Boyz 2 US 1.

It's shaping up to be a thrilling encounter! Do you have a favorite team in this matchup?

In reply to JoeGrine

We can agree to disagree and I do so .Were I coaching Jamaica that is where he would be, midfield,central of either side.
He has the leadership ability,passing ability,also versatile and skillful.
What and how he is used in Premier League does not translate to Jamaica's needs.
At least he should be given the opportunity to be king server. On performance, I have not seen any outstanding midfielder
representing the country. There has to be consistent conduit for the men upfront.
So why after 30 years we have not had a Whitmore and yet Bailey is not capable of doing midfield duties ??
Who has ????

In reply to michaelmax

I have been saying this for a while. Did not see the game against USA. But I am not surprised by
your assessment of Bailey. He has the ability to make a positive difference in midfield which lacks
transition from defence attack. The numerous long and mostly wasteful long balls
from pressure in back to forward has not helped ball possession in all games I have seen.
Would like to see Bailey and Morrison in tandem as the key guys in that area of the field.

In reply to hubert



1. What leadership does Bailey display? Off the field he has berated his teammates, he turned down representation (which is his right) due to a party he was hosting. I have seen nothing of Bailey to suggest leadership. I have seen Premier League outings which suggest he should be a much better national player.

2. He has some pace and those skills (does not include deft passes) are best utilized out wide. Bayern Leverkusen and Aston Villa agrees with me. You don't but we move on.

3. You have not seen any outstanding midfielders? Though not as sublime as a decade ago, Morrison has been outstanding for Jamaica (you can see his videos online).

4. A conduit for the men upfront - this iteration of the Jamaican team has the conduit, it is Lowe (chief of them all) and Holgate making long kicks (presumably to the "men up front") to the opposing defense for them to relaunch their attacks. Even when Morrison plays, he has to go back deep to DEMAND the ball from Lowe. The transition from defense to attack (which we both seem to crave) demands two things (1) a midfielder who has the vision and creativity (and respect from the opposition of said traits)which forces the oppostion to account for them as the opposition attack and defend often designating at least one maker on a non-stop basis on this player (2) a defense that understands why midfielders were once referred to as LINKMEM!

In reply to hubert

I look forward to seeing what Ravel Morrison brings to the pitch!

Antonio and Dixon dropped out because of passport issues!

Return leg starting line-up:

GK : BLAKE
LB : BELL
CB : BERNARD
CB : LOWE
RB : T.GRAY
CDM: HAYDEN
AM : MAGEE
M : LATIBEAUDERE
LW : D.GRAY
F : NICHOLSON
RW: BAILEY

8 pm EST kickoff, TNT streaming for US based folks.

In reply to camos

Wow! USA HIT the post 3 minutes in

Dis done

I don’t recognize this Jamaican team at all.

So passive. WTF???

Nice goaaal Gray
3 - 1

In reply to Chrissy

This now looks like the Jamaica I have known. They putting in a shift at the start of the 2nd half. And nice finish by Gray.

However, as I type….Weah scores a beauty 4th.

Steupes

In reply to imusic

stopped watching at half time - guess i missed the best half. at least yard recoup some life.. there is hope

RECAP

COACHING
1. You cannot be trying to win a game and start a back four plus Hayden and Latibeaudiere. That is way too defensive.
2. Get to know your players so you can place them in their optimal positions. For some, that is the bench or not in the squad.
3. Tell me Lembikisa (who was arguably our best player in the first leg) is ill therefore, he was not in the starting line-up.
4. Ethan Pinnock's leadership in the back was for the second game, badly needed.
5. Down 0-3 in a game you must win, you substitute a midfielder (Magee) with a defender (King)!!!!

GRADES
GK : BLAKE - (5.0) his lack of adequate footwork with the ball at his feet led to the 3rd goal. He was also tentative resulting in the first goal.
LB : BELL - (6.5) one of his better showing. It could be that team USA realized T. Gray was on the other side so why pick on Bell when Coach McLaren gave them the gift of (T. Gray) on the right.
CB : BERNARD - (5.0) not in harmony with Lowe, he didn't do much wrong neither was he outstanding.
CB : LOWE - (6.0) the coach has to let him know he is a central defender not a linkman. With Magee wide open he attempted a defense-splitting pass to Nicholson which resulted in a turnover. Should probably get a higher grade for avoiding a yellow-card.
RB : T.GRAY - (3.0) he is who he is, average, slow-footed, and not a good reader of the game.
CDM: HAYDEN - (8.0) he belongs. His reading of the game as evidenced by his positional play was for me one of the few highlights on the night. His interchange with Bailey led to goal #1.
AM : MAGEE - (4.0) this is not Manning Cup and those hollering for him to start need to stop it. He absolutely does not tackle. He does not demand the ball. On one occasion Jamaica had the ball and instead of running into space to demand the ball he goes and attaches himself to Pulicic - I said "Jamaica had the ball"!
M : LATIBEAUDERE - (5.0) a trying man. We need more than that at this level.
LW : D.GRAY - (8.5) - a welcome return to form and his two goals were clinical. A rarity for a Jamaican to score twice at this level. He also had a decent strike in the first-half.
F : NICHOLSON - (5.0) it is hard to grade a forward who seldom gets a sniff of the ball. He should have done more with those sniffs he got.
RW: BAILEY - (5.0) when he wasn't tripping over himself he more often than not turned over the ball one of which resulted in the first goal. Made a few good plays including the build-up to goal #1.

SUBSTITUTES
KING - (6.0) showed (not for the first time) he belongs at this level.
CEPHAS - (7.0) I will repeat what I have said before. He cannot be kept out of a Jamaican squad. His pace will be attracting teams outside of Turkey.
LEIGH - (5.5) should have started at RB instead of T. Gray.
ANDERSON - (4.0) showed (not for the first time) that he does not belong at this level.
WILLIAMS - did nothing to mention.

WRAP-UP
1. Please thank the following for their services - Anderson, Williams, and Palmer.
2. Please note these are bench players - Magee, Latibeaudiere.
3. Please consider drafting in Lambert (or the best local CDM) to learn from Hayden.
4. Lock in Greenwood, Nelson and Baker.

In reply to JoeGrine

Fantastic analysis – and so quick. Great work

In reply to JoeGrine

Cephas was impressive for the short time he was on the field.

D Gray was arguably your best player

In reply to imusic

My grades agree with you........

In reply to birdseye

Appreciated.

In reply to birdseye

I was once thinking that he would be called up for England,I think he is in Saudi Arabia with a team,that's it mate plenty money.

In reply to JoeGrine

Missed out on the game again..always value your review/grades.
Tell me this though. Does the team have a play maker and do they need
even one ?
BTW, asking Jamaica to beat USA away is not credible. The team whatever the
line up is lacking cohesion as the players need to play more together and
get a better understanding of one another's strengths in order to become a
fine-tuned and good consistency.
.
It is virtually impossible for more games together as the Players have their
commitments to various leagues and are only available on FIFA dates.

The coaching staff is at major disadvantage in this regard and deserve
some sympathy here. It is tough on any coach to be able to sort out his
best starting eleven at all times from game to game.

It would be much easier of course if the coach is seeing the talent on
display in a top notch local league, but that is yet future.

In reply to JoeGrine

Excellent analysis, as per usual!

I thought the coach would have given Ravel Morrison a run; what gives?

It seems like the coach doesn't subscribe to playing attacking football!

The boyz played better in the first leg!

By the way, my prediction was way off!

US 1 Boyz 2 - I don't know what they call that type of bet in horse racing!