The U.S. men’s national team will cap off a successful year with a Dec. 13 friendly against Jamaica in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The match will take place at Inter Miami’s former stadium, kicking off at 3:30 p.m. ET.
This fixture marks the first meeting between the two rivals since the Americans secured a 4-2 victory in the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals on Nov. 18, 2024. Because the game falls outside an official international window, head coach Mauricio Pochettino’s squad will likely be heavily composed of players from Major League Soccer.
Pochettino noted the fixture’s value for roster evaluation, stating that as the team continues to build its group, the match provides an excellent opportunity to work with domestic league players and potentially evaluate new faces.
European-based standouts with club commitments are not expected to participate. That group includes midfielders Christian Pulisic of AC Milan and Weston McKennie of Juventus, as well as AS Monaco forward Folarin Balogun.
The upcoming friendly gives participating players an audition for a demanding 2027 calendar. That schedule features the Concacaf Nations League Finals, the Concacaf Gold Cup, and the beginning of qualifying for the 2030 World Cup.
Pochettino emphasized the quality of the opponent as preparation for those future fixtures, pointing out that Jamaica represents the caliber of team the U.S. could face in upcoming tournaments and World Cup qualifying, making it a valuable experience for the squad.
The USMNT enters the matchup following a strong run in recent friendlies. Fresh off a Round of 16 appearance at the FIFA World Cup this summer, the national team posted a 4-0-0 record in friendlies against Peru and Chile in September, followed by victories against Mexico and Canada earlier in October.
That recent international window saw nine MLS players make their senior debuts for the national team. The debutants included 17-year-old Philadelphia Union midfielder Cavan Sullivan and 18-year-old New York Red Bulls forward Julian Hall.
