The USA is well on its way to qualifying for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Sitting in first place (14 points) at the halfway point of the 14-match schedule, and coming off a convincing home win against regional power Mexico, thereโs little for U.S. fans to not feel upbeat about as the team heads to Jamaica for its latest match.
But this also might prove the nerviest part of qualifying, because fans who experienced the failed 2018 campaign realize โ as does U.S. head coach Gregg Berhalter โ that it will be far from smooth sailing the rest of the way. Tuesdayโs road trip to face a desperate Jamaica side is just the sort of test it will need to survive to avoid complicating matters over the final seven matches.
Jamaica (sixth, six points) is seven points from the qualifying zone and five points from the lone wild-card playoff spot. The Jamaicans will feel like they should have three more points after allowing costly late goals to Mexico and El Salvador on the road. But with five of their past seven matches coming at home in Kingston, the Reggae Boyz know that a run at Qatar 2022 will come down to racking up wins at the National Stadium.
MORE: CONCACAF qualifying standings, schedule & highlights
This is the fourth time that theseย teams have met this year, with the USA winning all three previous matchups: a 4-1 friendly win in Austria, a 1-0 Gold Cup quarterfinal win (83rd minute game-winner) and a 2-0 October qualifying win in Austin, Texas,ย on goals by teen sensation Ricardo Pepi (below).
But the Jamaicans were…