The Hexagonal
United States vs Jamaica: Eleven Quick Predictions
Why settle for one lousy United States—Jamaica prediction when you can get 11 for the same low, low price? Here's what some analysts have to say. Leave your 100-word prediction in the comments section below.
Bruce McGuire
Editor, du Nord Futbol
Redemption would be a perfect place to start. At the end of last summer when the U.S. took to the field in Kingston, all talk was of getting their first-ever win on Jamaican soil. And within seconds of kickoff they were well on their way. Then they followed up that amazing Clint Dempsey goal with 89 minutes of drek, and not only didn't pick up their first win in Jamaica, but conceded their first ever loss to the Reggae Boyz by committing dumb fouls near their goal and failing to properly use a wall to defend free kicks. So this current battle will not be with Jamaica, an opponent high on athleticism and low on ability, but with themselves. Jimmy Conrad
KickTV and former USMNT
Here are my predictions for the U.S. versus Jamaica game in 100 words or less—DAMMIT—which is now 77 words or less: Klinsmann will roll out the same lineup in consecutive games for the first time during his tenure and, because of that, we will win 2-1, which will give us the necessary swagger and confidence to get results in the other games this month, put us on top of the group in CONCACAF, and pave the way for us to qualify with relative ease…or Klinsmann will over think it and it'll be harder than it should be. We'll see. Go USA! John Godfrey
Editor in Chief, American Soccer Now
During those 13 magical minutes when the United States was three goals up on the No. 2-ranked soccer team in the world, I felt like Leonardo DiCaprio on the bow of the Titanic. Jurgen Klinsmann was my Kate Winslet, and we were so connected. It's almost as if we were flying! And then that iceberg thing happened. The Yanks were lucky to keep their heads above water over the final minutes of the match, and I fear more of the same on Friday. My heart will go on, but my head says we're going to see a messy 1-1 draw. Korey Donahoo
President, American Outlaws
I have a good feeling about Friday and I'll be surprised if we don't get 3 points. I'm usually pretty pessimistic, but I think the Germany performance and our loss down there last year are the perfect tonic for a nice win. Only thing that really worries me is the state of the pitch—which we never deal well with. Richard McGovern
Managing Editor, The Soccer Desk
Jamaica’s speed on the attack is unlike anything the U.S. faced in the two recent friendlies, and the ability of an inexperienced American backline to contain the Reggae Boyz will certainly be tested—especially on the center, where positioning and spacing has been a problem. This leads to Bradley and Jones dropping deeper to support, which could stifle the American attack. Jamaica looks to be a better side than it was even nine months ago, and the Yanks will be hard pressed to steal a point at The Office. Call it a 2-1 win for the home side in Kingston. Noah Davis
Deputy Editor, American Soccer Now
U.S. 2-1 Jamaica. Sorry, but the American attack isn't "scored six goals against Belgium and Germany" good. It just isn't. But it is "score two goals against Jamaica" good, even on the uneven field that is The Office. It won't be pretty, but it will be effective enough. Which leads to the backline. Edgar Castillo was a late-game train wreck in D.C. but the rest of the men managed themselves well enough. The Reggae Boyz have enough pace to get one but not a second because, oh hey, Michael Bradley and Jermaine Jones learned how to play together finally. Three points and out of Dodge, mon. Charles Boehm
Editor and Senior Writer, SoccerWire.com
Depending on your perspective, the U.S. national team will face either a broken-spirited Jamaican squad on Friday, or a wounded, desperate animal. The Reggae Boyz have just two points from their first four Hexagonal matches and are in a must-win situation to keep their World Cup hopes alive. Meanwhile, U.S. strike partners Clint Dempsey and Jozy Altidore may have found their stride and the Jermaine Jones-Michael Bradley central midfield axis looks fearsome, even as questions linger regarding the U.S. central defense. Look for the Yanks to crush Jamaica's Brazilian dreams with a 2-1 victory at “The Office.” Liviu Bird
ASN Tactical Analyst and freelance writer
It’s going to be interesting—that’s all I can say with any certainty. The U.S. has shown its competence, incompetence, and everything in between in the last several months. An early goal and sustained attacking pressure in the first half would calm the nerves in Kingston. However, if the Americans can’t run a tight ship in the back, another Jamaican victory at The Office is not out of the question. As they showed against Belgium and Germany, the U.S. defenders are prone to simple mistakes that turn costly. Jon Arnold
ASN Contributing Editor and freelance soccer writer
The timing has worked out, and the U.S. has a good chance to get three points at The Office. It’s not because of the perceived emotional state of the hosts after losing to Mexico. It's because this Jamaica team is missing integral, veteran, foreign-based players because of injury, withdrawals, and omissions. While the back line without Watford's Lloyd Doyley and injured Nyron Nosworthy and missing Jermaine Taylor looked stern against Mexico, I’m not convinced they can keep it up. Barring American defensive breakdown against fast but impotent strikers, this could be a fantastic start to three important matches. Brian Sciaretta
Soccer writer
The U.S. team will be heading into Kingston with momentum after beating Germany in a friendly. The problem is that there are still serious concerns for the American defense and Jamaica is an extremely athletic team that can score goals from nothing. Jamaica isn’t good but they can be very dangerous, and after Mexico they will be playing for their lives. The U.S should win but I am going to go with a 1-1 draw that will be disappointing for both teams. Josh Deaver
ASN Contributor and soccer writer
For me, the biggest point of concern heading into Friday’s match with Jamaica has to be the continued uncertainty of Klinsmann’s carousel backline. Specifically troubling is the mercurial performance of Omar Gonzalez. Of the seven combined goals conceded against Belgium and Germany, Gonzalez could reasonably be blamed for four, maybe five. This is not a new phenomenon; he has been gaffe-prone for LA Galaxy as well this season. With a crucial three points up for grabs in Kingston he must minimize mistakes. If the U.S. backline can follow suit, a win should be easy. OK, your turn. You have 100 words. Go!
Editor, du Nord Futbol
Redemption would be a perfect place to start. At the end of last summer when the U.S. took to the field in Kingston, all talk was of getting their first-ever win on Jamaican soil. And within seconds of kickoff they were well on their way. Then they followed up that amazing Clint Dempsey goal with 89 minutes of drek, and not only didn't pick up their first win in Jamaica, but conceded their first ever loss to the Reggae Boyz by committing dumb fouls near their goal and failing to properly use a wall to defend free kicks. So this current battle will not be with Jamaica, an opponent high on athleticism and low on ability, but with themselves. Jimmy Conrad
KickTV and former USMNT
Here are my predictions for the U.S. versus Jamaica game in 100 words or less—DAMMIT—which is now 77 words or less: Klinsmann will roll out the same lineup in consecutive games for the first time during his tenure and, because of that, we will win 2-1, which will give us the necessary swagger and confidence to get results in the other games this month, put us on top of the group in CONCACAF, and pave the way for us to qualify with relative ease…or Klinsmann will over think it and it'll be harder than it should be. We'll see. Go USA! John Godfrey
Editor in Chief, American Soccer Now
During those 13 magical minutes when the United States was three goals up on the No. 2-ranked soccer team in the world, I felt like Leonardo DiCaprio on the bow of the Titanic. Jurgen Klinsmann was my Kate Winslet, and we were so connected. It's almost as if we were flying! And then that iceberg thing happened. The Yanks were lucky to keep their heads above water over the final minutes of the match, and I fear more of the same on Friday. My heart will go on, but my head says we're going to see a messy 1-1 draw. Korey Donahoo
President, American Outlaws
I have a good feeling about Friday and I'll be surprised if we don't get 3 points. I'm usually pretty pessimistic, but I think the Germany performance and our loss down there last year are the perfect tonic for a nice win. Only thing that really worries me is the state of the pitch—which we never deal well with. Richard McGovern
Managing Editor, The Soccer Desk
Jamaica’s speed on the attack is unlike anything the U.S. faced in the two recent friendlies, and the ability of an inexperienced American backline to contain the Reggae Boyz will certainly be tested—especially on the center, where positioning and spacing has been a problem. This leads to Bradley and Jones dropping deeper to support, which could stifle the American attack. Jamaica looks to be a better side than it was even nine months ago, and the Yanks will be hard pressed to steal a point at The Office. Call it a 2-1 win for the home side in Kingston. Noah Davis
Deputy Editor, American Soccer Now
U.S. 2-1 Jamaica. Sorry, but the American attack isn't "scored six goals against Belgium and Germany" good. It just isn't. But it is "score two goals against Jamaica" good, even on the uneven field that is The Office. It won't be pretty, but it will be effective enough. Which leads to the backline. Edgar Castillo was a late-game train wreck in D.C. but the rest of the men managed themselves well enough. The Reggae Boyz have enough pace to get one but not a second because, oh hey, Michael Bradley and Jermaine Jones learned how to play together finally. Three points and out of Dodge, mon. Charles Boehm
Editor and Senior Writer, SoccerWire.com
Depending on your perspective, the U.S. national team will face either a broken-spirited Jamaican squad on Friday, or a wounded, desperate animal. The Reggae Boyz have just two points from their first four Hexagonal matches and are in a must-win situation to keep their World Cup hopes alive. Meanwhile, U.S. strike partners Clint Dempsey and Jozy Altidore may have found their stride and the Jermaine Jones-Michael Bradley central midfield axis looks fearsome, even as questions linger regarding the U.S. central defense. Look for the Yanks to crush Jamaica's Brazilian dreams with a 2-1 victory at “The Office.” Liviu Bird
ASN Tactical Analyst and freelance writer
It’s going to be interesting—that’s all I can say with any certainty. The U.S. has shown its competence, incompetence, and everything in between in the last several months. An early goal and sustained attacking pressure in the first half would calm the nerves in Kingston. However, if the Americans can’t run a tight ship in the back, another Jamaican victory at The Office is not out of the question. As they showed against Belgium and Germany, the U.S. defenders are prone to simple mistakes that turn costly. Jon Arnold
ASN Contributing Editor and freelance soccer writer
The timing has worked out, and the U.S. has a good chance to get three points at The Office. It’s not because of the perceived emotional state of the hosts after losing to Mexico. It's because this Jamaica team is missing integral, veteran, foreign-based players because of injury, withdrawals, and omissions. While the back line without Watford's Lloyd Doyley and injured Nyron Nosworthy and missing Jermaine Taylor looked stern against Mexico, I’m not convinced they can keep it up. Barring American defensive breakdown against fast but impotent strikers, this could be a fantastic start to three important matches. Brian Sciaretta
Soccer writer
The U.S. team will be heading into Kingston with momentum after beating Germany in a friendly. The problem is that there are still serious concerns for the American defense and Jamaica is an extremely athletic team that can score goals from nothing. Jamaica isn’t good but they can be very dangerous, and after Mexico they will be playing for their lives. The U.S should win but I am going to go with a 1-1 draw that will be disappointing for both teams. Josh Deaver
ASN Contributor and soccer writer
For me, the biggest point of concern heading into Friday’s match with Jamaica has to be the continued uncertainty of Klinsmann’s carousel backline. Specifically troubling is the mercurial performance of Omar Gonzalez. Of the seven combined goals conceded against Belgium and Germany, Gonzalez could reasonably be blamed for four, maybe five. This is not a new phenomenon; he has been gaffe-prone for LA Galaxy as well this season. With a crucial three points up for grabs in Kingston he must minimize mistakes. If the U.S. backline can follow suit, a win should be easy. OK, your turn. You have 100 words. Go!
