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The last time the United States Men's National Team visited Jamaica, last September during the last round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying, the result wasn't what any of us were looking for. The USMNT lost, creating a bit of unnecessary pressure in the final games of the round (including another one against Jamaica just days later, which the Yanks won in Columbus). But as they take the field tonight, it's the Reggae Boyz who will be desperate, as they sit last in the final, Hexagonal round of qualifiers. Remember, folks, the top 3 teams all get automatic berths to Brazil 2014, and fourth place will play a home-and-home tie with Oceania champs New Zealand for the final spot in the field. So every game is a big one.
Let's do it.
Time: 9:30 pm EDT
Venue: National Stadium, Kingston, Jamaica
TV: BeIn Sport, so unless you've got DirecTV, Dish Network or Verizon FiOS, probably your local watering hole.
Projected USA Lineup: Courtesy of our own Kevin McCauley, who also does good work over at SB Nation's U.S. National Teams site, Stars & Stripes FC, in this case, projecting the same lineup we saw start against Germany last weekend: Tim Howard; DaMarcus Beasley, Matt Besler, Omar Gonzalez, Brad Evans; Michael Bradley, Jermaine Jones; Fabian Johnson, Clint Dempsey, Graham Zusi; Jozy Altidore.
Projected Jamaica Lineup: For that, I'd recommend checking out our Scouting Report on the Reggae Boyz, where you'll find a lot more than who we think will take the field for the home side tonight.
Prediction: Give me the U.S. with an tougher-than-it-should-be but easier-than-it-looks 2-1 win. U.S. Goals by Dempsey and Zusi, and at least one assist for Jozy.
What Are You Drinking?: Sazerac cocktail. Something uniquely American with no semblance of Jamaica's spirit of choice (that'd be rum). Whiskey, absinthe, bitters, a bit of sugar and a lemon peel? Sign me up.
As always, this is the place for pre-game, in-game and post-game conversation.