- Pochettino claimed his first competitive win as USMNT boss against Jamaica
- Sides face one another in Nations League quarter-final second leg on Monday
- LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off! , available wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes every Monday and Thursday
Jamaica striker Michail Antonio will miss his side’s Nations League quarter-final second leg against USA on Monday night after losing his passport.
The West Ham star has scored five goals in his 21 appearances for the side since his debut in 2021 and played a key part in Jamaica’s progression to the last eight of the tournament.
Antonio was forced to sit out the 1-0 defeat to USA in the first leg due to suspension and it has been revealed that he will also miss the second leg in St. Louis, Missouri.
Jamaica boss Steve McClaren confirmed that Antonio and Kaheim Dixon will be unable to travel to the country after losing their passports. The Jamaican federation reportedly scrambled to get visas for the two players, but were told that it was too late.
‘Antonio and Dixon lost passports, it was too late to get new ones and to get visas to come over here, so they are missing,’ the former Manchester United assistant told reporters on Sunday.
Jamaica and Brentford defender Ethan Pinnock will also miss the match due to injury.
Michail Antonio will play no part in Jamaica’s Nations League quarter-final against United States
Jamaica manager Steve McClaren revealed that Antonio and Kaheim Dixon were unable to travel after losing their passports
Mauricio Pochettino is hoping to lead his side to the Nations League finals held 20 and 23 March in Inglewood, California
The Reggae Boyz face a tough test to overturn a 1-0 deficit to Mauricio Pochettino’s side on Monday night. But despite their unfavorable odds, McClaren remains optimistic that his team can advance.
‘I think we were unfortunate to come away with a defeat, albeit by just one goal,’ he said. ‘We felt we did enough to draw the game. We didn’t in the end, but we are still in the tie.
‘Away from home, we’ve been in good form recently. This will be a completely different game altogether. We know that USA on home soil is a totally different team, so we expect another very difficult game but come here with optimism and belief.’
Ricardo Pepi’s fifth minute winner on Friday night was enough for Pochettino to claim his first competitive win as USMNT boss. The defending champions can book their place at the 2025 Nations League Finals held 20 and 23 March in Inglewood, California with a draw.
