The United States and Jamaica are both aiming for "firsts" tonight. For the U.S., it is about trying to earn their very first win in Kingston, having drawn in their previous four trips to the Jamaican capital. For Jamaica, is it about trying to beat the Americans for the first time ever, having failed to win any of their 10 previous matches against the Americans.
This is also a match-up of the two top teams in Group A of the semifinal round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying. They both sit on four points, three points ahead of Guatemala and Antigua and Barbuda so there is a lot riding on this match as they jockey for the two spots in the final round of qualifying.
Both teams are dealing with injuries that have them at less than full strength, though. For the U.S., Michael Bradley and Landon Donovan are out, while Clint Dempsey is not in top form after going two and a half months without a competitive match. Then on the Jamaican side, they are dealing with the absences of Demar Phillips and Omar Cummings, while Jason Morrison will play, but is battling a knee injury.
Neither side is at full strength and both managers have to juggle their lineups and formations to deal with the missing players. While both teams are obviously gunning for a win, a draw would probably please both so they aren't getting too crazy with their lineups.
Jamaica (3-4-1-2): Miller; Mariappa, Nosworthy, Taylor; Palmer, Morrison, Austin, Bryan; Watson; Shelton, Johnson.
United States (4-4-2): Howard (c); Parkhurst, Goodson, Cameron, Johnson; Jones, Beckerman, Edu, Dempsey; Altidore, Gomez
We'll have live coverage in our Jamaica vs. USA StoryStream. For more on the Yanks, head over to U.S. soccer blog Stars and Stripes FC. Check out their video preview of the match below.
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