The Gold Cup is just around the corner and preparations for the USMNT are ramping up. Special emphasis has been placed on not just winning this edition of the tournament but also winning it with flying colors. With these being the first competitive games for the US in nearly two years (the last ones being played in October of 2017) it’s easy to see why extra importance has been placed on them. But, as is usually the case prior to major international tournaments, there are a pair of friendlies set to be played: first against Jamaica and then against Venezuela.

The full roster for the Gold Cup has not been announced yet (though the 40-man preliminary roster was made available not long ago) but the names for this game against Jamaica are an odd mix. Part of the reason for the bizarre nature of the roster for this game is that the powers that be decided to have the MNT and the U23 team train together at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, so that Gregg Berhalter’s much ballyhooed plan can filter down to the lower levels as well as provide the younger players an opportunity to experience a full international camp. But some of the big guns for the US are not yet in camp, such as Christian Pulisic and Tyler Adams, though those two are expected to be in camp for the Venezuela game and the entirety of the Gold Cup. Furthermore, some of the players currently in camp who will definitely not be at the Gold Cup (due to not being on the initial 40-man roster) are Jackson Yueill of the San Jose Earthquakes and Jonathan Lewis of the Colorado Rapids (who is ready to play against Jamaica despite being ruled out of the Rapids games this past weekend with an injury). Notably absent is Brad Guzan, who is neither in this camp nor on the 40-man roster. Jozy Altidore is inevitably back, despite not having been called up since the T&T disaster in October of 2017. Also back are some of the stalwarts of the failed qualifying campaign: Michael Bradley, Omar Gonzalez, Gyasi Zardes, and Tim Ream.

There is no denying that the Gregg Berhalter era has gotten off to a flying start. Wins over Panama and Costa Rica at the end of the January Camp were followed by a win against Ecuador and a draw against Chile during the March window. The US posted three straight clean sheets in that time as well. It’s been said a number of times over the last 18 months but it bears repeating: despite being just friendlies, these games are vitally important both in terms of establishing a culture where winning is expected and demanded, as well as getting the fans back on board with the team. Posting a pair of good results right before the Gold Cup would continue to do just that.

Like the US, Jamaica failed to qualify for Russia 2018, though they also failed to even qualify for The Hex. Since then it’s been a mixed bag in friendlies as well as in the CONCACAF Nations League. So far in 2019 they are 0-2-0 (W-L-D) having lost both games in March: a 2-0 defeat away to El Salvador in the Nations League and a 1-0 loss in a friendly against Costa Rica. Jamaica’s roster for this game against the US was announced on Monday, and not everybody who was on their 40-man Gold Cup roster made it. Tappa Whitmore (in his 4th stint as the boss of the Reggae Boyz) named a roster full of players based in MLS and the USL. From MLS: Andre Blake of the Philadelphia Union, Alvas Powell and Darren Mattocks of FC Cincinnati, Kemar Lawrence of the New York Red Bulls, and Peter Vassell of LAFC. From the USL: Jamoi Topey of Bethlehem Steel, the Louisville City duo of Shaun Francis and Devon Williams, Kevon Lambert of Phoenix Rising, Je-Vaughn Watson of OKC Energy, Maalique Foster of Rio Grande Valley FC, and Brian Brown of Reno 1868 FC. One player who did not make the roster for the US game, but is on the Gold Cup roster is Rashawn Dally of Memphis 901 FC in the USL.

Notes:

1. Since failing to qualify for the World Cup, the game against Jamaica will only be the fourth time that the US has played a CONCACAF opponent out of 17 games.

2. The friendly between the US and Jamaica will be the first international soccer game at the brand new Audi Field in Washington DC.

3. Jamaica was drawn into Group C at the Gold Cup this summer along with Honduras, El Salvador and Curacao.

When and where to watch the game on TV and streaming:

Wednesday, June 5, 2019
Washington DC (Audi Field)
7pm ET
Live on FS1, UniMas, Univision Deportes Network, Sling Blue, PlayStation Vue, Hulu Live and fuboTV (free trial)

All-Time Series

USA leads 14-2-8

Last Meeting
Wednesday, July 26, 2017
Levi’s Stadium
Santa Clara, California
USA 2-1 Jamaica

Current FIFA Ranking

USA: 24
Jamaica: 56

Next Game

International Friendly
Sunday, June 9, 2019
USA vs. Venezuela
Nippert Stadium
Cincinnati, Ohio
2pm ET
FOX, UniMas