Level playing field

U.S. arrives for Jamaica match after loss to Argentina

San Jose teammates Landon Donovan (left) and Richard Mulrooney arrive in Kingston. AP

KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) -- The United States is looking to bounce back from a loss to Argentina in its friendly match Wednesday against CONCACAF rival Jamaica.

Though the U.S. team has never lost to Jamaica, it has been more than eight years since it last won at Kingston's National Stadium, where 25,000 fans are expected to give the Americans a rowdy welcome.

"It will be a difficult match," U.S. coach Bruce Arena said after arriving with his team in Kingston late Monday. "It's always difficult to play in Kingston. The heat will be a factor for both teams."

Arena, whose team is 7-0-5 all-time against the Jamaican team, the Reggae Boyz, was critical of his young players' effort last week, when they lost 1-0 to two-time World Cup champion Argentina. Arena said he would adjust his lineup for Wednesday's match, but declined to give details.

"We're hoping that we can regroup and give a better performance," Arena said. "We just have to play better in all facets of the game."

U.S. midfielder DaMarcus Beasley said his team needed to be more aggressive on offense to defeat the unpredictable Jamaican squad, an opponent in the American's bid to qualify for the 2006 World Cup.

"We let ourselves down [against Argentina]," Beasley said. "We weren't confident on the ball. I think we just need to come out with more intensity and more fight to us."

The 23-man roster for the 10th-ranked U.S. team is made up entirely of players from Major League Soccer. The Jamaican squad called up eight Europe-based players for the match, including top midfielder Theodore Whitmore from the English Premier League club Bolton Wanderers.

"They're creative. They like to attack," U.S. forward Landon Donovan said. "Hopefully we can defend well and can get out and catch them on the break. It should be exciting."

Jamaica's only game this year was a 1-0 loss to Barbados on Jan. 12. The 1-1 U.S. team kicked off its 2003 season with a 4-0 rout over Canada on Jan. 19. Both teams are preparing for the June CONCACAF Gold Cup, the championship of North and Central America and the Caribbean. The U.S. will first play the FIFA Confederations Cup in France.

One area where the Americans should no longer face an uphill battle Wednesday is the field. The match will be the first for both teams on the new playing surface at "The Office," which replaced the bumpy turf that was long the source of headaches for visiting teams.

"Before the field was a disadvantage, but hopefully now it will help us out," Donovan said.

Notes

The match will be broadcast on tape delay in Spanish on Telemundo at 12:30 a.m. ET/11:30 p.m. CT & PT...

Jamaican-born forward Jeff Cunningham will enjoy a special homecoming, wearing the U.S. jersey for the first time in his native country. Born and raised in Montego Bay, he moved to Florida at the age of 14. His sister and brother still live on the island, and Cunningham has rented a bus to transport 25 family members and friends on the four-hour trip to Kingston for the match. Cunningham received his U.S. citizenship in November 2001, appearing first for the U.S. in the 1-0 loss to Korea on Dec. 9 in Seogwipo. The Columbus Crew forward appeared on the front page of the sports section in Tuesday's Jamaica Gleaner...

The National Stadium in Kingston has undergone a major facelift in a process that began in November and was completed a few weeks ago. The Jamaican team trained on the pitch for the first time on Monday, giving it solid ratings. The U.S. was to conduct its only training session on the new surface at 5 p.m. ET on Tuesday. In leading the team out onto the practice field, Bruce Arena was heard saying, "This is now the best field in the Caribbean." The reconfigured stadium includes improved seating in the main stand, three new light banks, refurbished locker rooms, a revamped press box and new offices and VIP lounge...

The Jamaican national team will unveil its new uniforms, continuing to sport the traditional gold, green and black colors. The new jersey is predominately gold and green, with black shorts and gold socks. The U.S. will sport the all-white kits it has worn in the friendlies against Canada and Argentina...

The U.S. is 7-0-5 in 12 previous meetings, outscoring the Reggae Boyz 21 to 5. At "The Office" in Kingston, the U.S. has won just once in five games, but has never lost and has surrendered just two goals (outscoring Jamaica 5-2 in Kingston).

 

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