Despite going down 0-1 to the United States in the first leg of their Concacaf Nations League quarter-final match on Thursday, Jamaica’s senior football team Head Coach Steve McClaren says he believes there is a chance of overturning the tie in the second leg.

The United States’ win came via a fifth-minute goal from Ricardo Pepi. The Jamaicans had several opportunities to equalise; however, they were unable to convert.

The clearest chance came in the 14th minute, when they were awarded a penalty after United States goalkeeper Matt Turner brought down Shamar Nicholson.

Demarai Gray stepped up to take the spot kick, but goalkeeper Turner saved the effort. The Reggae Boyz were reduced to 10 men in the 86th minute when Mason Holgate received a second yellow card and was sent off.

McClaren, visibly frustrated at times on the sidelines, was experiencing his first defeat as Reggae Boyz head coach after taking over from Heimir Hallgrimsson in July.

He noted that he was very pleased with the way his players conducted themselves throughout the match, as they more than matched their opponents for large periods.

“The game was too open, but credit to the team. I am proud of them. To be 0-1 down after five minutes, with the game as open as it was, I am proud of the way they fought,” McClaren said after the encounter. “We made adjustments at half time, and I think we changed things midway through the second half. I think we dominated.”

“We had 12 shots on goal, and we felt aggrieved. We had a penalty, and I don’t know how that ball was cleared off the line on one of our chances,” he added.

McClaren emphasised his satisfaction with the team’s work ethic and concentration, particularly how they stuck together after conceding the early goal and were not intimidated by the Mauricio Pochettino-coached Americans, regarded as one of the region’s heavyweights.

“It’s a process, and I am focused on performances. I am proud of the players for their work, the way they defended, pressed, and created chances. I’m very proud of all of them,” he said.

The Reggae Boyz will face the Americans in the second leg on Monday in St Louis, Missouri. McClaren is confident that the Jamaicans can put on an even stronger performance in that encounter.

“I think we proved that the USA won’t take the game on Monday lightly. We know we can score, and we know we can give them a game. The first goal will be crucial if we score the first goal; the tie is on,” McClaren stated.

“We are capable of winning away from home, we are capable of scoring away from home and so I hope the US will treat us with respect,” he said.

— Robert Bailey