Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) General Secretary Dennis Chung says the Reggae Boyz’ Concacaf Nations League quarter-final game against the United States on Thursday will be a true test of the team’s character and willpower as they prepare for FIFA World Cup qualifiers next year.

The Reggae Boyz will face the US in the first at the National Stadium at 8 pm and the second leg will be played in Missouri on Monday.

“This game is very important to us,” Chung said.

“It will be a testament to the work that we have been doing in terms of the programme.

“I know that it is important to the new coach as well because we have invested a lot of time and money in the development of the senior men’s national team. This match against the US is really more than just a regular game, it is going to define where we are in terms of our development at the senior men’s level, so it is a very important game for us come Thursday.”

The Reggae Boyz were beaten 3-1 in extra time by the US in the semi-finals of the Nations League in March. Chung says they were unlucky in that game, having led 1-0 until the final minute of regulation time.

“For us to get to the quarter-finals against the US, which you know, at the last Nations League semi-finals although they beat us 3-1, we were unfortunate,” he said.

“It was in the last minute that they scored to equalise and send the game into extra time at 1-1. So, we know that we have the quality, and we know that the team has improved since then.”

Chung says the JFF is fully committed to providing all necessary resources to ensure the Reggae Boyz’ success.

“We have been doing everything internally to support the coach, and I know that the coach and his staff have been doing everything in their power to ensure we are ready for the game.

“You have seen the performance in the last two games with the coach, and we have been improving with each match. So, we are feeling confident about this game coming up on Thursday.”

The Reggae Boyz have registered back-to-back 0-0 home draws against Cuba and Honduras under Head Coach Steve McClaren, who replaced Heimir Hallgrimsson in July.

Chung says this game will be exciting, and he is encouraging Jamaican fans to fill the stadium.

“I think it is a good game to have at home, and I think the timing, based on the work that the coach is doing, is right,” he said. “We have seen the fan support with over 17,000 people attending each of our last two games, so it is a good time.

“We have also seen support from the Reggae Boyz supporters’ club overseas, so this is a very important game for us as the JFF and as a country. I am expecting that the fans will come out and support this one. This is key for us, so I am pleading with the fans to come out and support the team on Thursday because we need to get past the USA in this first-leg quarter-final.”