Despite leaving Independence Park with victory, the USMNT failed to impress against Jamaica in the first leg of the Concacaf Nations League quarter-finals.

After failing to score against Mexico in the previous match, the US men’s national team got off to a fast start in Mauricio Pochettino’s competitive debut. Christian Pulisic and Ricardo Pepi managed to find the opening goal for the Stars and Stripes within five minutes. Over the next 85 minutes, the USMNT managed just two shots on goal that failed to find the back of the net.

The match could easily have ended 1-1 after Matt Turner was awarded a clumsy penalty, but the goalkeeper made a great save to maintain the visitors’ lead. Furthermore, the match produced few highlights from both sides.

Pochettino spoke to the media after the match and praised his team for securing the victory, but said there is still plenty of work to do in the future.

“The first step has been taken. I want to congratulate my players because in a difficult situation they performed very well. We competed very well. I am so happy,” he said. “But of course we have to improve in all areas. That makes sense, because we have only been working (together) for a month. This is only our second camp.”

A lack of creativity remains a problem for the USMNT. When Pulisic isn’t at the forefront of the action, there aren’t many others who have the vision and playmaking ability to create a low block and create quality chances in the final third. Gio Reyna could be the answer to the Stars and Stripes’ somewhat stagnant attack, but the Borussia Dortmund player is still sidelined with a groin injury.

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“Concacaf is not an easy competition, but we are learning from it,” Pochettino continued. “We have to learn and today is a new step (in learning), like the match in Mexico.”

In Pochettino’s second match in charge, Mexico defeated the USMNT 2–0. The win was El Tri’s first at the Stars and Stripes since 2019. The USMNT had a depleted roster without many of the best players available, but a loss is still a loss.

However, the USMNT responded and returned to winning ways when it mattered most, no matter how disappointing the performance was in Kingston, Jamaica.

“So yes, a tough match, but we have to be satisfied,” Pochettino concluded before turning his attention to the second leg on Monday, November 18 in St. Louis.

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