Antonio and Dixon to Miss USMNT Clash Due to Passport Woes

The Reggae Boyz face a challenging task as they prepare to take on the United States in the second leg of their Nations League quarterfinal on Monday night in St. Louis.

Trailing 1-0 after a narrow defeat in Kingston last Thursday, Jamaica’s squad has been further weakened by a series of absences.

Manager Steve McClaren confirmed on Sunday that forwards Michail Antonio and Kaheim Dixon were unable to travel after losing their passports.

Efforts by the Jamaican Football Federation to secure visas for the players proved unsuccessful due to time constraints. Additionally, defender Ethan Pinnock was ruled out of the match due to injury, while Mason Holgate is suspended following a red card in the first leg.

None of the three missing players featured in Thursday’s defeat, with Dixon listed as an unused substitute and Antonio and Pinnock left out of the matchday squad entirely.

Despite these setbacks, Jamaica will welcome back midfielder Ravel Morrison, who is set to make his first national team appearance in over a year.

Reflecting on the first leg, McClaren expressed disappointment with the result but remained hopeful about his team’s prospects.

“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. 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.”

The second leg kicks off at 8 p.m (local time) on Monday night, with the Reggae Boyz determined to overcome the odds and secure a semifinal berth in the Nations League.

Remember to share this article on Facebook and other Social Media Platforms. To submit your own articles or to advertise with us please send us an EMAIL at: [email protected]