As they continue their quest to qualify for the 2014 World Cup, set to begin next June in Brazil, the United States national team will meet Jamaica for their third road game in the last four qualifying contests. The USA's last home qualifier came in a 1-0 victory over Costa Rica at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Colorado back in March.
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Coming off a strong performance against Germany in a match not related to the World Cup, the United States stunned their German opponents, winning the match 4-2 behind a strong performance from forward Clint Dempsey. Dempsey notched two key goals in the win, providing the U.S. with a new level of confidence moving forward.
When and Where to Watch U.S. vs. Jamaica Qualifier
The U.S. National team and Jamaica are in need of points as the World Cup qualifying slate progresses. With three points available by earning a victory, the U.S. travels to Kingston to take on the Reggae Boyz on Friday, June 7.
Game-time is set for 9:30 p.m., EDT with television coverage available through the beIN Sport network.
Match Preview
Jamaica is currently at the bottom of the CONCACAF Hexagonal qualifying group with only two total points in four matches played. If they're to have any chance of advancing further on to a point where they can even begin to think about the 2014 World Cup, a win over the Americans is completely necessary.
Opening their qualifying stages with two-consecutive draws, the Reggae Boyz struggled in successive shutout losses to Costa Rica (2-0) and earlier this week to Mexico (1-0). The Jamaican offense did have multiple opportunities to score against Mexico -- mostly in the second half -- but miscues and strong net play from El Tri goalie Jose Corona kept Jamaica off the board while also leaving them in the deep end of the hexagonal pool.
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While the Jamaicans have struggled throughout qualifying, the U.S. National team has played well-enough to remain near the top half of the hexagonal. Part of the same pool as Jamaica, the United States will need a much better performance than the one displayed in a loss to Jamaica last September. In back-to-back non-qualifying events most recently, the USA fell 4-2 to Belgium and then upset a banged up Germany team 4-2.
Knowing the ability control the speed of the Jamaicans and their extremely athletic offensive units, United States head coach Jurgen Klinsmann noted how important it was for his team to get acclimated to their environment as they begin match preparation.
"We really felt it was important to get the guys here early, get settled, and get used to environment," Klinsman said to USSoccer.com. "We learned back in February that when you only come in two days before to place where it is 90 degrees and really high humidity, it is simply not possible to adjust. So we will get in a few training sessions and experience what the field will be like, and we will be well prepared for Friday. This is a great opportunity for us to scout Jamaica just three days before our game."
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Sitting in fourth place with 4 points, the U.S. will certainly pour everything onto the field, fully aware that the top three teams in the hexagonal will advance to the World Cup in Brazil while the fourth-place finisher enters a playoff against New Zealand. The Mexican national team currently paces the pool with 6 points with Panama in second (5 points) and Costa Rica behind them with 4 points. The United States and Honduras are currently in 4th and 5th place respectively with 4 points while the Jamaican national squad is in 6th place with only 2 points.
USA vs. Jamaica Wrap-Up
With three points to the winner, the contest between the United States and Jamaica holds a high level of importance for both teams. Any amount of points teams are able to accumulate in qualifying -- especially through victories -- can only help them moving forward in World Cup qualification.
Be sure to catch all the action from Kingston, Jamaica as the United States men's national team battles Jamaica on Friday, June 7 at 9:30 p.m., EDT. Television coverage will be provided by beIN Sport starting at 9:30pm.
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