USA vs Jamaica preview
The US mens national team continues their bid to win their sixth Gold Cup title as they come into Wednesday's first Semi-Final in Atlanta, Georgia, against a spirited Jamaica side.
The Stars and Stripes travel to Atlanta´s Georgia Dome fresh from their morale boosting 6-0 destruction of Cuba in their Quarter-Final, after a series of fairly uninspiring performances during the group stages. USMNT coach Jurgen Klinsmann will be relieved that his side have started showing the sort of ruthless finishing that could power them to the final. Klinsmann will likely continue with his 4-1-3-2 formation against the Reggae Boys and include John Brooks in his starting lineup to partner Ventor Alvaredo at center-back, replacing Omar Gonzalez.
Armed with the tournament´s top scorer so far Clint Dempsey in attack, as well as his partner Aron Johannsson, who was so impressive against Cuba and LA Galaxy, and youngster Gyasi Zardes, who is featuring so impressively in the heart of the US midfield, the US will look to attack Jamaica from the start, believing they have enough quality to upset a tiring Jamaica side.
Jamaica, though, have shown real togetherness and quality throughout the tournament so far, but after struggling to a 1-0 victory over Haiti, questions remain as to whether or not tiredness will be a factor for the Jamaicans, after the squad competed in Junes Copa America tournament in Chile. Lead by the impressive Giles Barnes, the Jamaicans have unquestioned pace and could expose Kyle Beckerman´s lack of speed in the US midfield.
Barnes described the confident mood inside the Jamaican camp when he spoke to the CONCACAF official website after his side's victory of Haiti, saying: "People didn´t expect us to win our group and we won our group, people didn´t expect us to get to the Semi-Final. We know we´re the underdogs, but we know what we´re capable of."
The Jamaicans, under the stewardship of Winifried Schafer, have built their team around defensive solidarity and fast counter attacks, using the undoubted pace they have in their team. Having kept clean sheets in their last three matches in the tournament Jamaica have appeared to be developing into new heavyweights in the CONCACAF region.
Whether this Semi-Final may come just too soon for the Jamaican team to upset favorites USA or not remains to be seen. The match will inevitably will be a tightly fought contest, but the US should have the quality and energy to overcome Jamaica and set up a Final against either Mexico or Panama.
USA and Jamaica will play at 18:00 hours Eastern Time at the Georgia Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. The game will be shown live on Fox Sports 1 but you can also watch a live stream here