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McClaren positive as Reggae Boyz face must-win situation
November 18, 2024
Reggae Boyz head coach Steve McClaren said he felt aggrieved after the Reggae Boyz missed a first-half penalty and slumped to a 1-0 defeat against the United States (US) in their Concacaf Nations League, League A quarter-final first leg at the National Stadium on Thursday night.
Ricardo Pepi scored the game's only goal five minutes into the match, to give the US the advantage going into Monday's second leg in the US.
The Reggae Boyz must win the contest or else they will be eliminated and the US will advance to the semi-finals, which will be held March next year.
Semi-final qualification also guarantees a spot at the next Concacaf Gold Cup.
Also, McClaren has called up midfielder Ravel Morrison and striker Cory Burke to his squad for the return leg.
Meanwhile, the team will be without strikers Michail Antonio and Kaheem Dixon, both owing to passport issues.
McClaren thought his team gave a creditable performance in the opening leg and are still very much in the tie.
"We changed things in the second half and I think we dominated. We had 12 shots at goal. We felt aggrieved. We had a penalty. I don't know how the ball was cleared off the line," he said.
"But what I am looking at is performance. I am proud of the players. The way they work, the way they defended, the way they pressed, the way they created. I was very proud," he said.
McClaren thinks their performance will give the US a lot to think about when they meet later at the Energizer Park, CITYPARK, in Missouri.
"It is 1-0. It is halftime and I think that we have proved that the USA will not be taking the game on Monday lightly. We know that we can score and give them a game. The first goal will be the important one. If we score the first goal the tie will be on," he insisted.
Jamaica started the brighter of the teams in Thursday's opener but it was the USA who took the lead when Pepi ran through on a ball from Christian Pulisic and fired into the far corner past Andre Blake in goal.
Pulisic then had a great chance moments later, but fired over from 12 yards.
The Reggae Boyz were never out of the game and in the 15th minute Shamar Nicholson worked his way into the area and was brought down by goalkeeper Matt Turner for a penalty.
But Demarai Gray could not beat goalkeeper Turner from the spot.
Jamaica made some good attacking forays, but the quality of their play in the final third was lacking. Nicholson had the best chance to pull a goal back before the break but his header was wayward and off target.
The Americans, however, were always dangerous in transition and created some good openings.
After the break, the Reggae Boyz stepped up the tempo and had a few chances, the best of which resulted in a challenge on Mason Holgate inside the six-yard area, which was forced wide. Renaldo Cephas had set up that opportunity.
Leon Bailey and Damion Lowe also forced the American defence into two goal line clearances from corner situations, and there was a call for a second penalty, which was waved off because the ball did not hit the player's arm below the sleeve, which is permissible
Despite throwing everything forward the Boyz never really created any clear-cut chances.
However, Mason Holgate was sent off after picking up a second yellow card, with five minutes to go, and will miss tonight's contest.
"We pressed really high with Shamar, Leon and Demarai and I thought we pressed really well. Although we got played through at times. It gave us opportunities," McClaren said.
"It was too open (first half). We closed the game in the second half and made the subs and I thought they had a great impact.
(Tyreek) Magee, (Renaldo) Cephas came on, and Isaac Hayden was good in midfield with 'Latts' (Joel Lattibeaudiere).
"Magee, Cephas came on and caused problems. I am very positive at this moment. So I was pleased with how the game went. I am not pleased with the result. But pleased we are still in the tie and we have a chance on Monday."
